Human beings may be the only species on Earth to fear death. The fear of death requires an ability to imagine — and to imagine ceasing to exist. Yes, other species feel fear and understand loss, but we may be unique in our ability (and desire) to envision a long-distant event and respond to that…

At long last, Congressman George Santos is being called to task for using campaign funds to pay for personal luxuries, lying to his constituency about his background and credentials, falsifying records, and stiffing landlords for months of rent (among other things). According to CNN: The House Ethics Committee released a scathing report Thursday about embattled…

Israel’s attacks on Gaza–prompted by a massive attack from Hamas–have created tremendous shock waves around the world. Not least of these is a huge increase in antisemitic activity. According to Politico, “there has been a 388 percent increase in antisemitism in America since Hamas’ Oct. 7 surprise attack in Israel that killed more than 1,400.”…

This week, both Donald Trump and his children are testifying in court regarding accusations of financial fraud. So far, most members of the Trump family members have not broken rank–and, in fact, the Trumps seem to have one another’s backs. Whether or not they are telling the truth, they are sticking together. This is not…

This week’s news includes the fatal shooting of 18 apparently random people in a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston, Maine. The perpetrator, a man named Robert Card, may or may not have mental health issues. While unprovoked, apparently motiveless mass murders are relatively rare, violent attacks on groups of people are not. In fact,…

The news is filled with the horrific events taking place in Israel and the Gaza Strip, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed by images and videos of grisly attacks. In fact, as the attacks on civilians continue on both sides, it can be hard for some to even determine whose “team” they are on.  Part…

Sieges – the blockading of a specific geographic area in order to deprive its inhabitants of the necessities of life – are as old as warfare. And warfare is at least as old as recorded history.  Sieges have the great benefit of injuring those under siege with relatively little risk to the besiegers.  And they…

A catastrophe occurs a thousand miles away. It impacts people we’ve never met in a country we’ve never visited.   Despite our apparent lack of connection, hundreds or thousands of people will reach out to help those in need. They may send money or clothes, run fundraisers, or even visit in person to provide practical aid…

It’s natural for women to serve the needs of men, who are naturally stronger, wiser, and generally superior. It’s natural for one group of people to serve others, in subservient roles. As a corollary, it’s natural for another group to be served. It’s natural for Western Europeans to colonize the Americas, Africa, and parts of…

One of the most interesting qualities we humans share is that of metacognition—the ability to think about thinking, analyze our thoughts, and make decisions based on what we learn through exploring our inner processes.  Interestingly, we may not be alone in our ability to “metacognate,” though the level at which we do so may be…