Author posts
Gertrude Berg: The original media titan
Before Oprah or Martha Stewart, Berg built an empire around her name.
What the Oscars say about the American story — and our values
Hollywood is a gated community, and the stories it chooses to honor speak volumes about how it views race and gender in this country.
Rock Star Psychologist Bandura Receives National Medal of Science
He formed social learning theory. He made self-efficacy a game-changing concept. And he really did a number on Bobo the Clown. Albert Bandura is the Keith Moon of psychology.
The Creative Mind Is a Technicolor Contradiction
It's not as black and white, left brain/right brain as the theories of yore.
Is It Really Drug Abuse If It's Adderall?
A new study reveals who is searching online for ADHD drugs, and the relaxed attitude toward "study drug" abuse.
Why I'm Honored To Be A Woman Called 'Crazy'
It's the rebels among us that change the world.
The secret science of owning a party
Getting people to like you has never been easier.
58,000 College Students Are Affected by This Silent Epidemic
These kids are living on the edge, keeping their struggle on the DL. Here's what we can do to help.
Why I still believe in human goodness
These days it's hard to believe there is still moral beauty in the world. This is why we still want to believe, and where we can start looking.
7 things we can all learn from the music and life of John Lennon
About 1.15 million people in the U.S. have died from gun violence since John Lennon's death 35 years ago. What can his life and music tell us about how to respond to violence, intolerance, and hate?
Government Scientists Aren't Even Allowed to Study Gun Violence – The Reason Is Disturbing
The ban brings to light a bigger issue.
Why Some of Us Throw in the Towel While Others Get Back Up
How likely we are to bounce back from a setback is not predetermined. Here's why, and what you can do to cultivate your inner fighter.
Anger Is Causing the Republican Party to Hulk Out!
Donald Trump is the poster boy for the GOP, which has used its ability to harness anger for the powers of bad.
Why We Need Friends Now More Than Ever
Studies say we need friends in order to be happier, healthier, and to live longer — but in this case, is less more?
How practicing gratitude rewires your brain for the better
Even when everything sucks, you can still feel thankful.
Tchaikovsky’s wisdom for artists with depression
His words give those of us with creative and depressive tendencies hope, perspective, and a sense of camaraderie.
By Dismissing Syrian Refugees, We Are Forgetting Our Values
France is welcoming Syrian refugees, but the U.S. is frightened. Have we forgotten who we are and how we got here?
What Is Evil, and How Do We Defeat It?
Science says Syndrome-E can tell us who is and isn't evil, but how we really know and what we can do about it isn't so simple.
Our Strongest Weapon Against Terrorism Is Laughter
The ability to laugh during dark times gives us strength, community, and hope.
Mindfulness Meditation: Pain is Real But Suffering From it is a State of Mind
A new study shows that mindfulness meditation can reduce our physical and emotional pain. But what is mindfulness and how do we practice it?
Veterans Are Pioneering Spiritual and Hallucinogenic Medical Treatment for Specific Diagnoses
The pop-a-pill solution is a non-solution. But what is the alternative?
Want to Be Successful? Don't Act Like a Lady.
Women are being told that competing with one another isn't very lady-like. Nature begs to differ.
Help A Depressed Kid from Becoming a Depressed Adult by Doing This
A new study shows how children who face difficult times grow up to be anxious adults. Luckily, there's something we all can do.
Are Stress and Worry Good or Bad for You? It Depends on How You Cope.
A new study says people who worry are better prepared than those who don't — but that's not the whole story.
I'm *so* sorry my sarcasm makes me more creative
A new study shows people who use sarcasm have increased creativity, but are the benefits contagious?
Science Doesn't Find Truth, It Understands Change
There is a modern backlash against the pursuit of knowledge, and here is why that is absurd.
Everything I Learned in School About Being Wrong Is Wrong
Teachers reinforce that making mistakes will get you a dunce cap. Shouldn't it be getting you a gold star instead?
The Difference Between Empathy and Compassion Is Everything
We often conflate the words 'compassion' and 'empathy' but they have different meanings for a very important reason.
Using music to express negative emotions increases neuroticism, researchers say
This is particularly the case among males.
'Sesame Street' Has a Lesson for 'The Muppets' About How Not to Lose Your Soul
With the addition of Julia, a character with autism, Sesame Street (unlike The Muppets) keeps up with the times without losing its soul.
The New York Mets and the Science of Fan Loyalty
The Mets are going to the World Series, with a rabid fan base that has stood by them despite decades of dashed hopes. Why do we love our teams, even when they lose?
Who Did New York Better? Jane Jacobs or Robert Moses?
“We don’t want to make this; Moses is Darth Vader and Jacobs is a perfect angel from heaven.”
What happened when Einstein met Indian mystic Tagore
Albert Einstein gives his surprising perspective on truth to Indian philosopher Rabindranath Tagore.
A Top College Is Offering Free Online Credit Toward a Degree
This could really revolutionize higher education.
Harvard Students Debated Prison Inmates and Guess Who Won
Sure their students won a debate against Harvard, but that's only one reason the Bard Prison Initiative is changing the way we think about criminals.
This Is Why I Love Watching John Oliver’s Take Downs
Late night comedians are taking on The Man like it’s their job.
When It's Not Okay to Claim Shame
Shame is an all-purpose word these days, but how does that affect the real victims?
Trevor Noah is No Jon Stewart — And Shouldn't Try to Be
If you remove the media microscope, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah has promise but should have more "with Trevor Noah."
There's More TV Than Ever — That's a Problem for Our Culture.
When was the last time you could talk about a show everyone had seen?
How Television Is Making Us A More Accepting Society
Studies show that television shows featuring minorities help us ease our attitudes toward people who are "different." We look back at the past thirty years and see how that came to be.
Comedy is Emotional Medicine for the Hard Times in Life
Laughter helps us cope with negative emotions, new research says, and that's a — comedic — relief.
Obesity Isn’t a Personal Choice. It's a Cultural Decision.
Obesity isn't about an individual's choices. It's about the choices of a whole culture.
Science and Buddhism agree: There is no "you" there
As neuroscience has begun studying the mind, they have looked to those who have mastered the mind. University of British Columbia researchers have verified the Buddhist belief of anatta, or not-self.
How the music we love drives our survival
We know music and emotion are connected, but neuroscience tells us why music is such an integral part of what makes us human.
Females Who Choose Their Mates Care More About Their Offspring — In Bird Populations, Anyway
The lady birds in the “arranged marriage” group were less interested in hooking up with their partners, and were more likely to abandon their eggs.
Confessions of a Liberal Lady Who Likes Fiorina (Sort Of)
I'm a granola-eating hippie liberal, and I kind of admire Carly Fiorina. What happens when we like a person, but hate their politics?
Tim Cook's Inspiring Reasons for Coming Out
Apple CEO Tim Cook came out in order to help gay young people do the same. But what if every LGBT public figure had the same bravery?
Fiorina and Trump 'Face' Off
Carly Fiorina is rising in the polls and raising Donald Trump's ire, likely resulting in a Rock-Em-Sock-Em Robot Edition of the GOP debates.
Trump Boycotts Oreos. When Will Media Boycott Trump?
Stephen Colbert compared binging on Trump jokes to binging on Oreos — but are we the ones over-indulging in Trumpapolooza?
What should you do on 9/11? Tell someone where you were.
Many of us need to share where we were on 9/11, and telling our story may be the best way for us to heal.
Elon Musk: Nuke Mars to Colonize It. Earth: Been There, Done That.
Elon Musk says nuking Mars would get it nice and toasty for humans. Is that really within the realm of possibility?
Clinton Press Release: Hillary to Be Funnier, More Spontaneous
Hillary Clinton continually tweaks her public image, but there is a greater cost to not knowing who you are: We don't know, either.
Kids Are Losing Playtime to Achievement. That’s a Problem.
As children become more overscheduled, playtime decreases and the pressure to achieve increases. The cost of that trade-off is high.
SAT Scores Hit a Low Point, but Test Maker Has a Solution
SAT scores are the lowest they've been in a decade, so we're making the test easier to take. What does that say about our data-obsessed culture?
Great Preventative Cold Medicine? A Good Night's Sleep.
A new study says that the less sleep you get, the more likely you'll be to catch a cold.
2 Weeks Maternity Leave Is Enough for Me, Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer
The current length of maternity leave is one-size-fits-all, but what does that say about the value we place on balancing work and family?
To Get What You Want in a Negotiation, Be Deferential
Showing dominance in a negotiation seems like a sure-fire way to win, but a new study challenges that notion.
Following Your Passion Is Impractical — Consider Doing it Anyway
Our "follow your dreams" culture encourages us to listen to our gut, while society demands practicality. But what does that mean for artists?
Study: Selfish people immediately seek to exploit kindness in others
The science behind selfish behavior has been revealed, and it's pretty disturbing.
Study: There are instructions for teaching critical thinking
A new study says critical thinking is a teachable skill, but who is going to teach it?
Stephen Colbert Is the Hero Late Night Fans Deserve
Late night has become uninteresting and often unfunny, but all of that may change with the help of Stephen Colbert.
What Drives Helicopter Parenting? Not Control, But Fear.
Experts say hovering parents set our kids up for failure — but why is that, and what can we do to change?
Even the Oil Industry Is Warning Shell Not to Drill in the Arctic
Shell has permission to drill off the coast of Alaska, but other oil companies are warning of potentially harmful long-term consequences.
Science Knows Why People Love Donald Trump — and It's Scary
Donald Trump is the topic of our national conversation, and the reason for his popularity seems to revolve around his distaste for political correctness—but why do we love that?
Is the Popularity of Tattoos a Sign of Civilization's Decline?
Forget asteroids, plagues, or zombies: The true apocalypse will (allegedly) be the curiosity of tattooed millennials.
How intense emotions affect our creative focus
Recent research studies the link between creativity and emotional states, offering answers to the age-old question, "How can I be more creative?"
Ferguson and the Complete Breakdown of Trust
Another young black man was shot in Ferguson, as the public's faith in law enforcement waivers.
Conan Is Latest Comedian Accused of Stealing Jokes on Twitter
In the murky land of Twitter, a war rages online- and offline as comedians attempt to protect their writing from other writers.
I Was Misdiagnosed and Given Antipsychotics. Thanks, Gender-Biased Psychiatry!
I was misdiagnosed as bipolar largely as a result of the pervading gender bias in ADHD diagnosis, and that is indicative of a really big problem.
Lori Chandler is a writer and comedian living in Brooklyn, NY. She has been published in The New York Times and on CollegeHumor. You can follow her on Twitter @LilBoodleChild or visit her website loribrookechandler.com for strange and wonderful treasures.
