According to relationship coach and author Kira Asatryan, using the “busy” excuse is harming our friendships. Her three reasons why it might be time to eliminate the term “busy” in social interactions? “Everyone is busy.” Anyone can claim it at any time so it has become meaningless. “It’s open to (negative) interpretation.” The person on
READ MOREWe have come to a curious time in our history when it appears that America is largely in the process of rejecting its heritage and traditions. For those who pull the levers of power, the sins of the past are too much, we must remake ourselves. Whether you agree with that proposition or not, that
READ MOREToday a Russian fighter jet was shot down by Turkey. The pilots were captured by Syrian rebels. At least one appeared to be dead in a video in which the rebels chanted “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” – over his body. Turkey, a member of NATO, claims that the Russian plane invaded
READ MORERecently, the Pew Research Center released a study on how Americans view the government. Not surprisingly, public trust of government is at an all-time low of only 19%. But there’s also low confidence in the American people. The survey shows that since 2007 trust in the public’s wisdom and ability to make political decisions has
READ MOREThe OECD (the organization responsible for the international PISA exam) just released a new study on the state of international education. Among the report’s many charts is one which shows the number of hours students are in school. The U.S. ranks quite high with roughly 90,000 compulsory instruction hours. In other words, U.S. students spend
READ MORETerrorism’s goal is principally psychological. So, in the wake of events like those in Paris, a good starting point is to refuse to take the bait and become victims to fear. Such a mindset must break away from simplistic notions such as that another round of “tougher” laws will equate to greater security. The production
READ MORE1. Seuss’ classic polemic against a consumerism that is especially manifest during the holiday season: 2. Seuss’ simple riposte to the depersonalization rampant in the modern technological society: 3. Here Seuss speaks against the modern tendency to default to systemic solutions rather than personal effort: 4. Seuss’ affirmation that identity remains in spite
READ MOREIt is often remarked that history repeats itself; that there is a cyclicality about human life. The movements and types we encounter today often had antecedents in previous ages. The past had its conservatives and liberals, its jocks and its hedonists. And apparently, it also had its hippies. A celebrated Time article in 1967
READ MOREIn 110 A.D., the Greek philosopher Plutarch waxed eloquent on how to raise virtuous, well-mannered, and thoroughly educated children. But Plutarch’s educational regimen was not limited to books. In line with previous Greek educational philosophy, he also heartily advised parents and teachers to give children plenty of time for exercise: “In the next place, the
READ MORE