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Preparing your mind for creative achievement in the modern world

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Invite Others to Play Your Game

Jim Stone Ph.D. on June 30, 2019

When someone comes at us with negative energy, or if we don't like how a conversation is going, we can use Verbal Aikido to turn things around.

When someone comes at us with negative energy, or if we don't like how a conversation is going, we can use Verbal Aikido to turn things around.

Media
Is Everyone on the Left Unreasonable?

Jim Stone Ph.D. on June 22, 2019

Some people sincerely believe that everyone on the other side of the political aisle is unreasonable. How can we explain this?

Some people sincerely believe that everyone on the other side of the political aisle is unreasonable. How can we explain this?

Fear
Haunted Arguments

Jim Stone Ph.D. on December 31, 2018

Many monsters haunt our political arguments on social media. And whoever fights monsters must take care not to become a monster.

Many monsters haunt our political arguments on social media. And whoever fights monsters must take care not to become a monster.

Politics
Why You Should Assume You Will Be Misunderstood

Jim Stone Ph.D. on November 26, 2018

You and I don't communicate as well as we think we do. We don't speak as clearly as we intend. And we don't interpret the things other people say as well we think we do, either.

You and I don't communicate as well as we think we do. We don't speak as clearly as we intend. And we don't interpret the things other people say as well we think we do, either.

Media
The Twitter Compass

Jim Stone Ph.D. on March 1, 2018

Is it useful to engage with unreasonable people on the other side of the political aisle?

Is it useful to engage with unreasonable people on the other side of the political aisle?

Bias
The Arguing Ape Hypothesis

Jim Stone Ph.D. on December 31, 2017

The problem with contemporary political discourse is not bias and laziness. It's tribalism.

The problem with contemporary political discourse is not bias and laziness. It's tribalism.

Fear
Kids, Would You Please Lower Your Weapons?

Jim Stone Ph.D. on December 7, 2017

With authoritarians on both the Right and the Left dominating political discourse, it's tough (and sometimes unsafe) for the sensible center to get a word in edgewise.

With authoritarians on both the Right and the Left dominating political discourse, it's tough (and sometimes unsafe) for the sensible center to get a word in edgewise.

Stress
How Much Diversity Can We Handle?

Jim Stone Ph.D. on September 30, 2017

When we embrace diversity, we reap benefits in the long term, with much conflict in the short term.

When we embrace diversity, we reap benefits in the long term, with much conflict in the short term.

Environment
One Simple Question for Modern Humans Who Want to Be Happy

Jim Stone Ph.D. on August 30, 2017

Our minds must operate in the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Yet their underlying hardware was molded in a tribal context on the African Savanna. How can we make this work?

Our minds must operate in the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Yet their underlying hardware was molded in a tribal context on the African Savanna. How can we make this work?

Bias
Why Do Your Facebook Friends Have So Much Political Bias?

Jim Stone Ph.D. on July 31, 2017

Myside bias makes us notice, search for, and favor evidence that supports what we already believe. Why do we do this? And is it worse on social media?

Myside bias makes us notice, search for, and favor evidence that supports what we already believe. Why do we do this? And is it worse on social media?

Career
Should You Finish What You Start?

Jim Stone Ph.D. on June 29, 2017

Do you have several half-finished projects going at a time? If so, here's a neat trick that might help you finish things more often.

Do you have several half-finished projects going at a time? If so, here's a neat trick that might help you finish things more often.