Peterson’s Logos Argument, or why Atheists aren’t Atheists

Many months ago, “logos” was re-popularized by Jordan Peterson, who has used it as a weapon against atheists. To Peterson, “logos” proves that atheists only think they are atheists – they are just fooling themselves. In a debate he had with Susan Blackmore, Peterson said that “secular” societies are built on top of Christian foundations … Read more

Myth 6: Playing Mozart’s Music to Infants Boosts Their Intelligence (Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

Many people are familiar with the idea that getting babies to listen to Mozart will turn them into geniuses. This news was also reported in China in 2001.  But how did it start? A study in the early 90’s showed that performance on one task immediately after listening to Mozart improved. But this does not … Read more

Strategy 6: Segment Your Forces (The 33 Strategies of War)

The Controlled Chaos Strategy People often look for strategies in life because they fear independent thinking. They seek out a fixed formula that they can apply with success. They want to eliminate uncertainty, but unfortunately, no such strategy exists. Instead, the lesson from history is that it is better to always have options, to never … Read more

Myth 5: Subliminal Messages Can Persuade People to Purchase Products (50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

There is a widespread belief that marketers and psychologists have figured out how to hack our brains by using subliminal messages. Some audiotapes claim to improve your sex life, to enlarge a woman’s breasts, and to make you wiser, healthier, and wealthier. However, there is evidence to support the idea of subliminal messaging under tightly … Read more

Strategy 5: Avoid the Snares of Groupthink (The 33 Strategies of War)

This section of the book examines group leadership, Greene shows its inherent challanges, and gives us roadmap to become more proficient at it. Be Concise The reason why well-run militaries don’t use flamboyant language is because it is ineffective and vague. The execution of clearly defined goals is the purpose of the military, there is … Read more

Myth 4: Visual Perceptions Are Accompanied by Tiny Emissions from the Eyes (50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

A surprising number of adults believe that if they fixate on an object, emissions come out. Piaget observed that this belief begins early in life. He notes the case of one child who thought that the looks of two people can connect and mix together. Over half of elementary school children believe that something is … Read more

Myth 3: Extrasensory Perception (ESP) Is a Well-Established Scientific Phenomenon (50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

Almost 70 percent of Americans have reported having an ESP (Extra-Sensory Perception) experience in their lives. ESP means knowledge or perception without using any of the senses. This includes telepathy (minds communicating with each other) and clairvoyance (the mind’s ability to predict the future or to know the past). Miss Cleo was a psychic who … Read more

Myth 2: Some People are Left-Brained, Others are Right-Brained (50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

The human brain has two hemispheres, the right side is responsible for creative thinking, intuition, spontaneity, while the left brain is responsible for analytical, logical, linear thought. You have probably heard about this dichotomy before. and how some people are either right-brained or left-brained. Numerous pop psychology tests have been created online to help you … Read more

Myth 1: Most People Use Only 10 Percent of their Brain Power (50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology)

The movie Lucy is based on the premise that we use 10 percent of our brains – a myth that has endured the test of time. Self-help gurus, self-proclaimed psychics, and marketers have exploited this myth for their own benefit. In the infamous book, ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, a part of the … Read more