COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: “Why We Fear What We Can’t Control: Airplanes, Hospital, Old Age / big think / Tali Sharot ☮

Fear is a motivator—often, when we’re scared, we feel that we want to leave a situation. That so-called “pull” that you feel often has more to do with wanting to be in a place of agency and control than it does, say, being scared of the dark, or flying. Actually, fear of flying is a great example for what Tali Sharot proposes. We all know that we couldn’t actually fly the plane if we were giving the controls, but we’re more-so afraid of giving up all of our perceived control. You’re three times more likely to crash in a car than crash in a plane but we all feel as if we are in control… which is why you don’t have many people scared of driving. Tali does a great job explaining the mentality behind fear, and her video here is worth a watch.

PROGRESSIVE INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM: “Hillary Clinton Got a Reality Check in Wales” / The Humanist Report / Mike Figueredo ☮

Hillary Clinton recently made a visit to Wales to accept an honorary doctorate from Swansea University, and she didn’t receive the reception she’s used to receiving at home. Not only did a student yell “Bernie would’ve won” at her, but she was also interviewed by a reporter that wouldn’t allow her to dodge questions easily.

APHORISM: On Patriotism

By Madison S. Hughes (08.14.2011), Updated (09.22.2011)

Patriotism is a form of false pride for those who have nothing of their own of which they can be proud. It is little more than a tribal characteristic of banal instinct that provides a gratifying sensation of self-worth.

How can one be proud of being born within a particular geographical area of which they had absolutely no input? Clearly, reflective thought is not a part of this end. Reflective thought would require one to objectively evaluate the actions of their country, and the effect those actions have on them and the world as a whole. If one were to honestly do so, one, as I, would realize a great desire to expatriate to a less religious, more equitable country as one would find in Scandinavia and Western Europe.

In contemporary America, the Tea Baggers base their definition of what it is to be an American on geography and ignorance. They are not cosmopolitan by any stretch of the imagination, nor do they show any sign of cultural curiosity. They are simply demonstrating territorial instinct, as do others with similar cerebral deficits.

Patriotism to one’s country is understood, and need not be expressed. If one feels inclined to overtly express such, then one is expressing nationalism, not patriotism.

PROGRESSIVE INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM: “Police Power with Alex Vitale” / RT America / On Contact with Chris Hedges ☮

Alex Vitale, author of “The End of Policing” and Professor of Sociology and Coordinator of the Policing & Social Justice Project at Brooklyn College, discusses the origins of modern policing and how to prevent law enforcement from stripping away citizens’ rights. RT Correspondent Anya Parampil looks at the expansion of police powers.