The world’s mental-health dysfunction derives largely from psychological ignorance and self-deception. Why do you think so many 21st Century people are still hateful, violent, and murderous—or so depressed and despairing. Why are so many of us unwilling to protect our planet or … [Read more...] about What Freud Knew That We Still Hate to See
death drive
The Astonishing Basis of Our Addictions
It’s curious that we humans get addicted to both substances and activities. On the substance side, people get hooked on drugs, alcohol, nicotine, sugar, and fat. We can also become addicted without substance abuse, in activities involving gambling, shopping, promiscuity, … [Read more...] about The Astonishing Basis of Our Addictions
Terrorism and the Death Drive
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