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A Swim in Denial

What we can't think about and how it shapes us.

Race and Ethnicity
Are You One of Us?

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on August 31, 2016

The cognitive process of naming things comes with surprising—sometimes painful—liabilities.

The cognitive process of naming things comes with surprising—sometimes painful—liabilities.

Politics
Seduced by Abandon

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on August 22, 2016

"Throwing caution to the winds" can be exhilarating or dangerous. In politics the idea manipulates us in wild ways.

"Throwing caution to the winds" can be exhilarating or dangerous. In politics the idea manipulates us in wild ways.

Anxiety
The Missing Word Is Panic.

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on July 16, 2016

When aggression triggers a moral reflex, it can be blinding. We use it routinely to pump up heroic violence.

When aggression triggers a moral reflex, it can be blinding. We use it routinely to pump up heroic violence.

Play
Tourist Psychology

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on June 26, 2016

In the prison of habit the tourist dreams of mind-blowing abandon

In the prison of habit the tourist dreams of mind-blowing abandon

Self-Esteem
Are They Shooting at You?

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on June 14, 2016

The Orlando massacre, and reactions to it, turn flight to fight. The denial is as self-intoxicating
as American gun mania.

The Orlando massacre, and reactions to it, turn flight to fight. The denial is as self-intoxicating
as American gun mania.

Media
Conspiracy Theories and You

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on May 28, 2016

Conspiracy theories have much to say about who we are and where we're going.

Conspiracy theories have much to say about who we are and where we're going.

Leadership
Programmed Life

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on May 5, 2016

Much of our experience is programmed. No wonder puppets & robots fascinate us. Some programs enhance life while others create zombies, it makes sense to think about the issues.

Much of our experience is programmed. No wonder puppets & robots fascinate us. Some programs enhance life while others create zombies, it makes sense to think about the issues.

Relationships
Love, Loss, and Heroic Rescue

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on April 5, 2016

Everyone wants to be rescued. For better or worse, rescue opens up romance. But it also reveals basic creaturely conflicts that define us.

Everyone wants to be rescued. For better or worse, rescue opens up romance. But it also reveals basic creaturely conflicts that define us.

Scent
Have You Read Your Body Lately?

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on March 26, 2016

It's spring. When the seasons hum, we resonate. It’s how we’re built. But much of the information is deeply embedded in culture and beyond everyday awareness. Let's tune in.

It's spring. When the seasons hum, we resonate. It’s how we’re built. But much of the information is deeply embedded in culture and beyond everyday awareness. Let's tune in.

President Donald Trump
Trump Towers Vs. Downton Abbey

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on March 9, 2016

Enthusiasm for particular stories can reveal much about the political allegiances and values of the audience. Two popular yet very different stories prove the point.

Enthusiasm for particular stories can reveal much about the political allegiances and values of the audience. Two popular yet very different stories prove the point.

Anger
A License for Concealed Motives

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on March 3, 2016

A new Texas law dictates that students may bring guns to campus. The law contributes to hysteria based on conflicts too disturbing to acknowledge.

A new Texas law dictates that students may bring guns to campus. The law contributes to hysteria based on conflicts too disturbing to acknowledge.

Punishment
Hunting for Death

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on February 15, 2016

Justice Scalia's death has raised a political storm. But the storm is psychological too, and it's battering all of us.

Justice Scalia's death has raised a political storm. But the storm is psychological too, and it's battering all of us.

President Donald Trump
Trump Is History

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on January 23, 2016

Do you feel conflicted about politics? Does political talk stress you out? The psychology of play can help.

Do you feel conflicted about politics? Does political talk stress you out? The psychology of play can help.

Forgiveness
Lame Blame

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on December 25, 2015

In the season of giving, the key is forgiving. We victimize scapegoats by blaming them for what we hate in ourselves. But the better it works, the more it injures you.

In the season of giving, the key is forgiving. We victimize scapegoats by blaming them for what we hate in ourselves. But the better it works, the more it injures you.

Fear
Terrorism and the Psychology of Play:

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on December 16, 2015

Terrorism and our responses to it seem grounded in deep conviction, supported by raw, basic emotions. In reality, the behavior has a quality of play that can change the meaning.

Terrorism and our responses to it seem grounded in deep conviction, supported by raw, basic emotions. In reality, the behavior has a quality of play that can change the meaning.

Fear
What Video Gaming Tells Us

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on November 29, 2015

Humans everywhere use culture to turn fear into play. Video games turn paranoia into survival ecstasy and fertility—more life. These deep creaturely motives are symptomatic of many concerns today, from terrorism to virtual identity.

Humans everywhere use culture to turn fear into play. Video games turn paranoia into survival ecstasy and fertility—more life. These deep creaturely motives are symptomatic of many concerns today, from terrorism to virtual identity.

Anxiety
The Terrorist Trance

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on November 14, 2015

One of the few truisms that deserves to repeated over and over is that hysteria can be as deceptive as it is thrilling.

One of the few truisms that deserves to repeated over and over is that hysteria can be as deceptive as it is thrilling.

Addiction
Addiction and Rescue

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on November 5, 2015

In video clip on Facebook a presidential campaigner promises prospective voters in a New Hampshire tavern that he favors treatment for addiction. Within a day or two, more than two million people called attention to the clip. What's the magic?

In video clip on Facebook a presidential campaigner promises prospective voters in a New Hampshire tavern that he favors treatment for addiction. Within a day or two, more than two million people called attention to the clip. What's the magic?

Sport and Competition
Rampage as a Team Instinct

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on October 1, 2015

Humans have evolved powerful social bonding that shows up in group rivalry and team spirit. In civilization, where strangers can live together, the lethal competition of warfare is safely symbolized in team sports such as football. In rampage killing, as in the Roseburg Oregon massacre, that symbolic quality breaks down.

Humans have evolved powerful social bonding that shows up in group rivalry and team spirit. In civilization, where strangers can live together, the lethal competition of warfare is safely symbolized in team sports such as football. In rampage killing, as in the Roseburg Oregon massacre, that symbolic quality breaks down.

Education
Is Your Learning Style Paranoid?

Kirby Farrell Ph.D. on September 20, 2015

We learn—and grow—by engaging with anomalies: new things that don't fit our familiar categories. It's a gut process, not just a philosophical choice. Anxiety can make us paranoid about what's new and strange. Knowing that can spur fascination and help us to adapt.

We learn—and grow—by engaging with anomalies: new things that don't fit our familiar categories. It's a gut process, not just a philosophical choice. Anxiety can make us paranoid about what's new and strange. Knowing that can spur fascination and help us to adapt.