Category Archives: Psychology

The Defiance of Conspiracy Theorists

Posted on 26 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Quick item from Facebook today. From Adam-Troy Castro, a science fiction writer seemingly better known for his Facebook posts than for his fiction. This is about Flat-Earthers, conspiracy theorists, psychology, and the argument from personal incredulity. I’ll quote the whole … Continue reading →

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Whether Economics is a Science, and other topics

Posted on 19 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Paul Krugman on economists who won’t admit they are wrong; How science journalism is theatened, not to mention basic scientific literacy; Disinformation and journalists challenging interviewees on air; How Uganda’s anti-gay laws, inspired by American Christians, is hurting its economy; … Continue reading →

Posted in Conservative Resistance, Economics, Lunacy, Psychology, Science | Leave a comment

A Way to Talk Around the Problem

Posted on 18 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

The “same color” illusion — an example of how we cannot trust our senses; How Rudy Giuliani descended into MAGA, and whether we’re all equally susceptible; How right-wingers are triggered by tap-dancing in the White House to The Nutcracker; Brief … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Personal history, Psychology, Science | Leave a comment

Latest from the Impending Dictatorship Watch

Posted on 5 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Recalling the “Good Germans” who didn’t pay attention to Hitler’s rise; Salon’s Chauncey DeVega on how Americans are sleepwalking into a Trump dictatorship; The Atlantic‘s Jeffrey Goldberg on the danger of a second Trump term; Steve Bannon’s promise to prosecute … Continue reading →

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Choice, Binary Matters, and Projection

Posted on 3 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Another cool, mostly overcast, party sunny day. This is winter in the Bay Area: lows in the 40s, highs in the 50s. We walked the Montclair Railroad Trail, and checked various shops in the village for Christmas lights. One of … Continue reading →

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Personal Jesus and Other Fantasies

Posted on 2 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

How Russia is cracking down on the Gay Rights Movement, just as American evangelicals would like to do; A laughable debate about whether the Earth is flat or round, based on Biblical theology; A take on the economy that suggests … Continue reading →

Posted in conservatives, Economics, Music, Psychology, The Gays | Leave a comment

Newsom, DeSantis, Santos, and the Threat of a Trump Dictatorship

Posted on 1 December 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Political and religious/political items today. The Newsom/DeSantis debate; The expulsion of George Santos; How ‘moderates’ like Nikki Haley would also eviscerate the government (i.e. what “draining the swamp” means to Republicans); Short items about DeSantis’ Bible; how inflation is fault … Continue reading →

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Con Men and Bespoke Realities

Posted on 30 November 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

End of November. The sun sets early; the house is chillier. We have our thermostat set to 68. And I think I’m approaching the finishing of one of my long-term projects. And still working on another. Adam Frank on learning … Continue reading →

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About UFOs and other perplexing matters

Posted on 21 November 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

Here’s a provisional thesis (not even a provisional conclusion). The mysteries that most perplex us scientifically — like, say, the nature of consciousness, or what happened “before” the Big Bang — or that attract the most wild, often conspiracy-driven, thinking … Continue reading →

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Another Clear, Crisp Day in the Bay Area

Posted on 20 November 2023 by Mark R. Kelly

A companion to yesterday’s post about politics. Because I’m sure people are as interested in my religious takes as they are in my political takes. (What is the reason religion and politics are never discussed around the dinner table? Because … Continue reading →

Posted in Morality, Psychology, Religion | Leave a comment