The racial tension and profiling allegations behind the Zimmerman trial have thrown stereotyping into sharp relief. While stereotypes are socially problematic, they also have an evolutionary function. While they are often false, they usually have their origin in some truth. While they form as part of our basic psychological processes, they can be cognitively altered. Continue reading “Why do we have Stereotypes?”
Author: chrismtwo
Every day I try to learn and experience new things. The infinite wonder of the universe provides endless opportunity for adventures. My favorite thing is to enjoy these adventures with friends, and to share my stories with others.
At the very core, all people are storytellers. Whether it is a full length motion picture or a chat over a cup of coffee, most of what makes up the human experience is the communication of ideas. For this reason, I am always looking for opportunities to write. I would like to share what I've seen with as many people as possible.
Changes in Christianity and Russell Moore
Russell Moore has something important to say as he assumes the leadership role in the Southern Baptist Convention. It is that Christianity is not and cannot be simply a political agenda. It is a deeper system of beliefs that is firmly rooted in the Gospel. He stresses a culture of acceptance and redemption, not of condemnation. This is the message that he wants to send to the youth who are growing up in an increasingly secular culture.
“If we don’t show that next generation how our involvement in the public square is rooted in the Gospel, then what’s going to happen is that they are going to check out and overreact,” Moore says. He goes on to say that, “The worst thing that we can do is assume that we are still living in 1950s America.” Continue reading “Changes in Christianity and Russell Moore”
Social Security Disability Insurance is Running Out
The Senate has just released a report on fraud in the Social Security Disability Insurance Fund. The report is titled “How Some Legal, Medical, and Judicial Professionals Abused Social Security Disability Programs for the Country’s Most Vulnerable: A Case Study of the Conn Law Firm”. It describes how a Kentucky-based lawyer named Eric C. Conn allegedly set up a scheme involving administrative law judges and a set of friendly doctors. Conn got 1,800 cases approved between 2006 and 2010. Social security paid Conn’s firm more than $4.5 million in attorney fees. Continue reading “Social Security Disability Insurance is Running Out”
Should We Increase Minimum Wage?
President Obama has proposed raising the Federal Minimum Wage from $7.25 to $9.00 per hour, saying that “no one who works full-time should have to live in poverty.” There are of course two ways to bring his wish to fruition. The first is to prevent anyone in poverty from being able to work full time. The other, which Obama probably meant, would be to increase the wages of working full time so that those currently living in poverty will be paid more money. These are also the two areas that need to be examined when considering the effect of minimum wage laws on the economy: the effect on unemployment and the effect on cost of living vs. wage. Continue reading “Should We Increase Minimum Wage?”
Sex
Though often spoken of in hushed voices, sex is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human experience. We’re evolutionary hardwired to seek it, just like air, water, and food. Like the preparation of food, sex has been elevated to both a science and an art form. Even after thousands of years of practice and study, however, humans are still having problems in the bedroom. Continue reading “Sex”
Selective Enforcement of the Law
Eric Holder’s speech on the enforcement of mandatory minimum sentences is the latest installment in a long line of ways the Obama administration has attempted to side step Congress. Holder asked the American Bar Association to use their prosecutorial discretion to reduce the frequency of filing charges that carry mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug crimes. This is a large diversion from the normal policy of prosecutors going for the highest provable offense. Continue reading “Selective Enforcement of the Law”
Segregated Sororities and Fraternities
The University of Alabama recently received complaints that the selection process for its sororities was discriminatory. In response, the university began “continuous open bidding” where sororities can accept members at any time, instead of just during rush periods. So far, six minority students have accepted bids to traditionally white sororities. While there are no longer actual policies enforcing segregation in Greek life, it is still mostly divided into traditionally black and traditionally white fraternities and sororities. Continue reading “Segregated Sororities and Fraternities”
Schools Opening Sports to Disabled
Few questions have perplexed scholars and philosophers more than what constitutes a “reasonable” accommodation. Today the Department of Education released guidelines applying to school athletics, including club, intramural, or interscholastic (eg., Freshman, junior varsity, varsity) athletics at all levels. The rules require the schools to create “reasonable modifications” or create parallel athletic programs that have comparable standing as mainstream programs to accommodate those with disabilities. An example given was to provide a visual starting cue to a deaf track runner. The extent of these accommodations, however, is a bit fuzzy. Continue reading “Schools Opening Sports to Disabled”
Satisfaction
People are constantly striving for the sense of fulfillment that comes from true satisfaction. Satisfaction comes in two forms. There is the emotional, often fleeting, feeling of accomplishment that comes from achieving a goal. Getting a raise, buying a new car, or hitting a milestone in life provides temporary happiness. However, this soon becomes the new baseline. Psychologically, people quickly become accustomed to their new situation. Continue reading “Satisfaction”
Satan
Were he as fair once, as he now is foul,
And lifted up his brow against his Maker,
Well may proceed from him all tribulation.
Dante’s Inferno Continue reading “Satan”
Ronin Pen 