Monthly Archives: August 2013

The false dichotomy of the nice girl and the bitch and what to do instead

on August 24, 2013 in Awareness, Blog

After yesterday’s pattern I see in men, here’s a comparable one I see in women. A woman gets approached by men. Some she likes, some she doesn’t. If the ones she doesn’t like get too numerous, she may try to limit the number of men approaching her by making herself appear less available or pushing them away. While she intended to change only the number of guys approaching her, she[…] Keep reading →

Insults describe the person giving them more than the person receiving. How you can learn from yourself when you insult.

on August 22, 2013 in Blog, Tips

I overheard some people talking about another group as “douchebags” with “popped collars” who called everyone “bro” or “brah.” Okay, I get that some people can find others annoying, but to call them douchebags is just mean. You’ve insulted others for other reasons. People call others losers, sluts, assholes, and so on. More importantly to you, if you’ve ever insulted someone or thought about it, which covers everyone on the[…] Keep reading →

Why basketball players are tall and how tyranny emerges

on August 20, 2013 in Blog, Freedom, Leadership

Today’s post approaches the recent NSA surveillance revelations from a systems-theory perspective. The reasons basketball players are tall imply consequences to our government. A high-level systems perspective leaves out details, some of which may be more important than this post gives credit for. I’m not saying it’s the only perspective, but I consider it important and relevant. Please feel free to comment if you feel I missed something important. Why[…] Keep reading →

Meaningful connections and valuing friends for their values

on August 19, 2013 in Blog

If you’ve read my social skills exercises series you know I avoid asking people what they do for a living. Instead I make meaningful connections about what people care about. An interesting side-effect of creating relationships based on what people care about instead of asking the same what-do-you-do-where-are-you-from-how-many-brothers-and-sisters-do-you-have-read-any-good-books-lately questions that get the same thoughtless answers is that sometimes I develop deep friendships with people never knowing what they do for[…] Keep reading →

Once you start composting, you can’t go back

on August 18, 2013 in Blog, Nature

Once you start putting your food scraps in a separate container from your trash, you can’t go back to filling landfills with what could create topsoil and healthier food. Once you start composting, the amount you throw away decreases yet more — after you presumably started recycling, after you presumably reduced your consumption. You become more aware of food packaging you can’t compost. I’ve noticed that the less healthy a[…] Keep reading →

The Grand Illusion — why it’s one of my favorite movies

on August 17, 2013 in Art, Blog

I re-watched The Grand Illusion last night for the first time in a long time. My main measure for movie quality is do I like watching it more each time I watch it or less. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind I like more each time. Most romantic comedies I like less each time. (Curiously, I find I like Star Wars both more and less each time.) The Grand Illusion[…] Keep reading →

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