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Author Archives: hessd
Bo Knows Politics?
There comes a time when, as the logic of a movement plays out, it just goes too far. In this essay I want to say that I have reached that point myself, so far as the self-righteous political left is … Continue reading
Posted in Political Psychology, Politics, Uncategorized, Words
Tagged exotic, Just say No', liberal excess, normal, Trader Joe's
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And forgive us our maladjustments
I had a friend once who had learned to apologize for his lateness and to minimize his error at the same time. I was fascinated. I had no idea you could do that. He would say, “Hi guys. I’m so … Continue reading
A Skeptic has a Mystical Experience. Who would have thought it?
A few weeks ago, I had a mystical experience. I mention it because I am not at all sure what a mystical experience is and because I am not somebody who has mystical experiences. Still…this time I did. So what’s … Continue reading
Posted in Living My Life
Tagged agency, fighting grievances, grievances, letting grievances go, mystical experiences
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C’est Monyafeek
This is (yet another) celebration of the way Neal Stephenson uses language and the illustration is taken (yet again) from his Anathem. You need to know a little bit about the story or you won’t be able to share the … Continue reading
Posted in Words
Tagged Anathem, French pronunciation, Neal Stephenson, space suits, valorization
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The -ize has it
Now I think that’s just fun. It sounds wrong, of course, but it probably isn’t. It sounds like “eyes,” which would require a plural verb, “have.” But -ize is not a noun, like “eyes;” it is a “word-forming element” used … Continue reading
The Banner of Republicanism
I’ve been teaching a course about parables. I want to offer that as an excuse. One of the easiest things to do with a parable is to turn it into an allegory, in which each element of the story represents … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged adrenaline madness, Bruce Banner, faulty memory, Moderate Republicanism, The Hulk
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Just Enough Evidence for Now
I have one model of persuasion I would like to explore today and one I would like to reject. I am sure these models have names that are known to people who study persuasion, but I don’t know what they … Continue reading
Posted in Political Psychology, Politics, Uncategorized
Tagged evolution, issue salience, shared perspectives, tipping point, trust
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Government by “Stand-up Guys.”
President Trump has referred to people who lie on his behalf and who are willing to be convicted for their service to him, as “stand-up guys.” That could sound unobjectionable. Who would not want to be served by people who … Continue reading
Identity and Agency
Sounds heavy doesn’t it? You wouldn’t know, just by looking at the title, that this is going to be a critique of hyperindividualism. [1] Let’s start with this exchange. Empathetic Elder: (EE) Thank you for sharing that account with me. … Continue reading
Posted in Communication, sociability
Tagged agency, empathy, shared sociability, uniqueness
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Victory Lapse
I am hoping that title will arouse your curiosity. I know it will only make my kids roll their eyes. “Oh no.” they will say, internally, and then to each other, “Dad’s at it again.” For everyone else, let me … Continue reading
