Knowledge is Power: Philosophy from a video game

“Finish him,” was the famous phrase heard on Mortal Kombat 3 when it came time to obliterate your opponent. You might remember the drunken wobble Raiden does just before Sub-Zero uppercuts him into oblivion. Good times. As a kid, another part of the game always stood out: the opening credits. The phrase flashing across the … More Knowledge is Power: Philosophy from a video game

The Gift of Empathy

A few months ago, my daughter and her best friend were doing an art project at my dining room table. My 6-year-old daughter announced that she didn’t like the color brown. And her best friend took offense at that because she is brown. I identify as heterosexual, white female. I am so unambiguous about that … More The Gift of Empathy

The Wisdom of Being Wrong

If only things were that simple. If only events could be packaged into neat containers of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ or ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Despite our proclivities towards binary and dualistic thinking, life is a whole lot messier. Many circumstances are morally ambiguous and uncertain. Being in this metaphorical ‘grey’ area of not knowing can be … More The Wisdom of Being Wrong

How to Embrace Change

Life is constant change, Buddha and Aristotle already said it: change is a fact of life. But change has also been accelerating in recent decades. Massive disruption across the social, technological, political and environmental dimensions of our lives means that we are constantly trying to figure out how best to manage uncertainty. And for someone … More How to Embrace Change

Reflections

Hello everyone, We are in the last week of 2020. What a year it has been! From its conception till now, event after event, shock after shock. This extremity is why I think we need to reflect even harder on how this year has been for each of us individually. This is what I want … More Reflections

Captain Hindsight

There’s a character from the popular sitcom South Park called Captain Hindsight. For those who’ve not seen it, Captain Hindsight is a super hero (of sorts) who shows up to the scene of a disaster while it’s taking place. He then “helps” the people in need by making a stirring speech about all the ways everyone should have acted … More Captain Hindsight

I’ve Studied Abroad 3 Times & I’ve Learned Nothing

Provided by ellieejay My first international class in Guatemala, followed by a semester in London, then a semester in Granada… and what do I have to say for myself? I’ve learned nothing. Contrary to popular belief and folktales told by previous students who have studied internationally, living abroad for 5 months does not make you … More I’ve Studied Abroad 3 Times & I’ve Learned Nothing

The Most Important Thing(s) To Understand About Your Relationship

One of my most interested fields in psychology is that of dating and understanding how to find and interact with our romantic partner. There is no doubt that if you are in a relationship or married, that you haven’t been through some sort of emotional or mental rollercoaster with your partner. That’s just part of … More The Most Important Thing(s) To Understand About Your Relationship

Together Is Better

‘A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another, so that whichever way he approached them he was met by the horns of one of them. At last, however, … More Together Is Better