A healthy amount of doubt and skepticism (in its generic sense) is a good thing. But what happens when skepticism goes radically awry or turns into cynicism? According to George Carlin, “Inside every cynical person, there is a disappointed idealist.” Put in context…yes! However, one could also argue that idealism…
We can’t control if we’ll die, but we can “occupy death,” in the words of Peter Saul, an emergency doctor. He asks us to think about the end of our lives — and to question against the modern model of slow, intubated death in hospitals. Two big questions can help…
Almost everyone experiences anxiety and depression — some more debilitating in form than others. What do some of the more extreme versions feel like? Can therapy help? Is there some sort of value or existential significance to such conditions? According to Scott Stossel, editor of The Atlantic and author of…
Why are we so prone to believe weird things…such as seeing faces on mars or hearing demonic lyrics in “Stairway to Heaven”? Using video and music, Michael Shermer, editor of Skeptic magazine and the director of the Skeptics Society, shows how the eternal search for meaning & spiritual fulfillment often…
Numerous studies on aging show that the progress of cognitive decline (an inevitable part of aging) can be slowed not only by healthy dietary choices and exercise, but also by introducing critical thinking exercises into our daily routines. According to a Canadian medical journal study, mental exercise showed benefits in…
Thinking about death can be a frightening thing. But planning ahead is not only practical it also leaves more room for peace of mind (for us and others) in our final days. In a solemn and thoughtful presentation, Judy MacDonald Johnston shares five solid practices for planning for a good…
