The Toxicity of Self-Esteem: Why It Never Works

A Better Way to Love Ourselves Self-esteem has always been a prominent concept throughout our lives. We were taught that … More

You’re Going to Die, and, Yes, You’re Still Special

In my first blog post, I discussed death and how its acceptance can foster a better life. In this post, … More

Popular Writing: Why It’s Important to Bring Complex Ideas to the World of Ordinary People

Scientific illiteracy is one the most harrowing challenges of our time; on the one hand, the public is chastised for … More

An Existential Death-Blow to Narcissism: Defeating the Excessive Need to Feel Superior

Through ambition and greed, they rose. Through force and strength, they conquered. Through status and influence, they flourished. The great … More

Walking in Your Footsteps: My Gratitude to Irv Yalom

In a post several months ago, I wrote a dedication, and a sort of homage, to my college mentor, and … More

My Best Friend Death

Within each of you, somewhere hidden, is your best self calling. Her bells become louder with each passing year, as … More

Why Do I Need to Be Normal? (Revised Version)

“The most strongly enforced of all known taboos is the taboo against knowing who or what you really are behind the … More

Why Our Concept of Morality is Old and Antiquated: The Case For a New Understanding of What It Means to be Good

I’m going to begin this article by stating that I anticipate, and welcome, any disagreement and criticism that it will … More

My Teacher

Several years ago, former NY Times war-correspondent, Chris Hedges, wrote a beautiful article on Reverend Coleman Brown, an undergraduate professor … More

Culture is Not Your Friend

“The belief that “honor demands it” promotes not only honor suicide, but “honor killings” of family members as well. The … More