Over-Simulated

Environment

Future Nostalgia and Defensively Using the Instant Moment

Todd Essig Ph.D. on July 7, 2011

The future no longer provides a comfortable home for human imagination; its discontinuities are becoming impossible to imagine. But rather than mourn the loss, we increasingly turn to the instant moment of always on connected culture.

The future no longer provides a comfortable home for human imagination; its discontinuities are becoming impossible to imagine. But rather than mourn the loss, we increasingly turn to the instant moment of always on connected culture.

Psychoanalysis

Ask Your Magazine (or Your Doctor) About Psychoanalysis

Todd Essig Ph.D. on May 21, 2011

Cherishing one's inner life is made difficult by the always-connected demands of the digital world. Psychoanalysis can help and accurate portrayals of psychoanalysis, such as by Molly Knight Raskin in the current print edition of PT, provide helpful reminders.

Cherishing one's inner life is made difficult by the always-connected demands of the digital world. Psychoanalysis can help and accurate portrayals of psychoanalysis, such as by Molly Knight Raskin in the current print edition of PT, provide helpful reminders.

Education

The Dehumanizing Consequences of Online K-12 Education

Todd Essig Ph.D. on April 12, 2011

The unintended and often hidden harm from K-12 online courses just may outweigh the obvious benefits.

The unintended and often hidden harm from K-12 online courses just may outweigh the obvious benefits.

Career

So Not a Pane in the Glass: When Social Networks Work

Todd Essig Ph.D. on February 26, 2011

Two recent examples of social networks are helping fully embodied people be better people: revolutionary political action and hydroponic window farms. They have more in common than you might think.

Two recent examples of social networks are helping fully embodied people be better people: revolutionary political action and hydroponic window farms. They have more in common than you might think.

Social Life

The 5 Best Books of 2010 for Staying Human in a Post-Human World

Todd Essig Ph.D. on December 27, 2010

With 2010 coming to a close, here are 5 books published this year that help us think through the challenges of building a good life in the digital age.

With 2010 coming to a close, here are 5 books published this year that help us think through the challenges of building a good life in the digital age.

Social Life

The "Real" National Sandwich Day: More life, not less technology

Todd Essig Ph.D. on November 25, 2010

Build a post-Thanksgiving sandwich-based tradition of celebrating friends and food.

Build a post-Thanksgiving sandwich-based tradition of celebrating friends and food.

Freudian Psychology

TSA body scans through the lens of Annie Sprinkle's cervix (NSFW)

Todd Essig Ph.D. on November 23, 2010

Transform being viewed from an objectifying intrusion into a shared commitment to collective safety and community. Don't revolt, take control

Transform being viewed from an objectifying intrusion into a shared commitment to collective safety and community. Don't revolt, take control

People don't just want the efficient monogamy marketplaces online dating sites claim to be. People want the rich opportunities to explore the full range of human desire those sites actually provide.

Midlife

If you see Juan Williams at the airport, be afraid—be very, very afraid

Todd Essig Ph.D. on October 22, 2010

Watch what you say; participating in the hate speech made normal by Fox News makes it easier to hate.

Watch what you say; participating in the hate speech made normal by Fox News makes it easier to hate.

Sex

The "Sweet Spot" That Makes Online Dating Sites "Sticky"

Todd Essig Ph.D. on October 8, 2010

Online dating sites are remarkably adept at finding the psychological sweet spot that keeps people coming back for more. 

Online dating sites are remarkably adept at finding the psychological sweet spot that keeps people coming back for more. 

Politics

9/11/01: If you don't remember, you forget

Todd Essig Ph.D. on September 9, 2010

Taking time to remember the events of 9 years ago can help heal destructive divisions. When you're feeling helpless, the best thing you can do is help someone.

Taking time to remember the events of 9 years ago can help heal destructive divisions. When you're feeling helpless, the best thing you can do is help someone.

Religion

Confusing race and religion is dangerous

Todd Essig Ph.D. on August 23, 2010

The President has as much Muslim blood as you or I have: none. There is no such thing as Muslim or Jewish or Catholic blood. Religion is not race and it is dangerous to confuse them.

The President has as much Muslim blood as you or I have: none. There is no such thing as Muslim or Jewish or Catholic blood. Religion is not race and it is dangerous to confuse them.

Happiness

Advice for our techno-present: "Turn off, tune out, drop in"

Todd Essig Ph.D. on August 17, 2010

Merely waiting for the next text, tweet, or email uses up some, however minimally, reserves of attention. So, maybe it is wise to take some time each day to turn off, tune out, and drop in.

Merely waiting for the next text, tweet, or email uses up some, however minimally, reserves of attention. So, maybe it is wise to take some time each day to turn off, tune out, and drop in.

Today's new adults are the first generation of digital natives to come of age. And they are getting an underserved rap for being shallow victims of the self-esteem movement. More than Generation Me, they are Generation Us. 

Media

The threat of naked techno-emperors

Todd Essig Ph.D. on August 9, 2010

We should pay very close attention when a technologist as accomplished and gifted as Jaron Lanier takes issue with the outrageous predictions and rhetorical excesses of the technological elite. But it is up to both the producers and the consumers of emerging technologies not to confuse the technical with the human.

We should pay very close attention when a technologist as accomplished and gifted as Jaron Lanier takes issue with the outrageous predictions and rhetorical excesses of the technological elite. But it is up to both the producers and the consumers of emerging technologies not to confuse the technical with the human.

Politics

How the stupidity of crowds helps kill a planet

Todd Essig Ph.D. on August 1, 2010

Our increasingly networked world can magnify both the wisdom of crowds and the stupidity of crowds. After all, networks exhibit tremendous content-apathy: crap flows as freely as gold. Understanding ill-considered collective decisions, such as the July '10 US Senate failure to enact climate change legislation, benefits from understanding the structure and function of networks. 

Our increasingly networked world can magnify both the wisdom of crowds and the stupidity of crowds. After all, networks exhibit tremendous content-apathy: crap flows as freely as gold. Understanding ill-considered collective decisions, such as the July '10 US Senate failure to enact climate change legislation, benefits from understanding the structure and function of networks. 

Anger

Lessons from "The Hatred of the Gibson"

Todd Essig Ph.D. on July 19, 2010

Celebrity meltdowns can often teach valuable lessons. Consider Mel Gibson. "The Hatred of the Gibson," a story without a resurrection at the end, shows that hatred is corrosive. Hatred almost always hurts the hater. While you don't always see it, while you may try to ignore it, the foundation of someone's character can get so worn away by hate that the person's facade cracks and falls.

Celebrity meltdowns can often teach valuable lessons. Consider Mel Gibson. "The Hatred of the Gibson," a story without a resurrection at the end, shows that hatred is corrosive. Hatred almost always hurts the hater. While you don't always see it, while you may try to ignore it, the foundation of someone's character can get so worn away by hate that the person's facade cracks and falls.

Humor

In 'Books vs. Bits' kids are kids and parents matter

Todd Essig Ph.D. on July 12, 2010

When it comes to trying to understand the Internet's psychological consequences, Jimmy Durante, the old vaudvillian with the prodigious schnoozola, has it right, "Everybody wants ta get inta da act!" But when it comes to literacy and quality education, does it make sense to talk about children as though they were lone warriors wrangling information. Or is it better to once again realize that children learn from what we adults do and how we care for them.

When it comes to trying to understand the Internet's psychological consequences, Jimmy Durante, the old vaudvillian with the prodigious schnoozola, has it right, "Everybody wants ta get inta da act!" But when it comes to literacy and quality education, does it make sense to talk about children as though they were lone warriors wrangling information. Or is it better to once again realize that children learn from what we adults do and how we care for them.

Sport and Competition

Jeopardy! gets a computer champion: Does it put our humanity in the form of a question?

Todd Essig Ph.D. on June 23, 2010

While an IBM computer named Watson is on the verge of becoming Jeopardy? champion—something that is a pretty significant milestone in natural language processing systems—we need to remember that humans made the technology. Watson's eventual victory is actually a victory for our species.

While an IBM computer named Watson is on the verge of becoming Jeopardy? champion—something that is a pretty significant milestone in natural language processing systems—we need to remember that humans made the technology. Watson's eventual victory is actually a victory for our species.

Anger

Here's how to wash the Gulf oil from YOUR hands

Todd Essig Ph.D. on June 12, 2010

The only way to wash oil from the BP Gulf spill dripping from our hands is to shoulder personal responsibility and work for a future of renewable energy.

The only way to wash oil from the BP Gulf spill dripping from our hands is to shoulder personal responsibility and work for a future of renewable energy.