The front page of today’s The New York Times has a photo of the aftermath of a suicide bomber’s horrific attack on a group of Afghan Shiites who were taking part in a religious ceremony. Human perversity sometimes seems unfathomable, but we must keep trying to make sense of … [Read more...] about Terrorism and the Death Drive
Search Results for: psychological defenses
Prose to Shatter Writer’s Block
There’s nothing more painful than having writing talent—yet being blocked from expressing it. A lifeless imagination withers the spirit of the aspiring scribe. The problem is called writer’s block. Writer’s block and other creativity blocks are symptoms or consequences of … [Read more...] about Prose to Shatter Writer’s Block
The Secret Allures of Pornography
Lots of people, men in particular, are addicted to pornography. They are sexually aroused by the visual stimulation, and they return compulsively to the activity, looking for that pleasure. However, it’s often a pleasure that comes with a price. Many feel shame after feasting on … [Read more...] about The Secret Allures of Pornography
When Sexual Desire Covers Up Self-Sabotage
What are some of the more important features of human sexual desire? Two neuroscientists falter badly in their attempt to answer the question in their book, A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the World’s Largest Experiment Reveals About Human Desire (Dutton, New York, … [Read more...] about When Sexual Desire Covers Up Self-Sabotage
The Dreary Distress of Boredom
Yawn. Nothing interesting going on today. Day after day, the same old thing, going around in a daze, inwardly dead. Life used to be more fun. Why is the world so dull? Why am I bored so much of the time? Hey, it's natural enough to be bored or restless when waiting two … [Read more...] about The Dreary Distress of Boredom