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Maybe It's Just Me, But...

Musings of a mildly mad multi-disciplinarian

Emotions
Even a Superhero Can Cycle Between Delirium and Despair

Mark D. White Ph.D. on December 26, 2023

Everybody has periods of happiness and sadness, but if those shifts are extreme and repeating, it suggests a deeper problem—as we see with Daredevil in this post.

Everybody has periods of happiness and sadness, but if those shifts are extreme and repeating, it suggests a deeper problem—as we see with Daredevil in this post.

Philosophy
Why You Should Be Careful How Much Responsibility You Take

Mark D. White Ph.D. on December 17, 2023

We should all take responsibility for actions and outcomes that are legitimately our fault, but not things that are out of our control. Somebody should tell Daredevil that.

We should all take responsibility for actions and outcomes that are legitimately our fault, but not things that are out of our control. Somebody should tell Daredevil that.

Authenticity
Who Should Decide What Worth Means—and If You're Worthy?

Mark D. White Ph.D. on August 16, 2022

Thor derives his sense of worthiness solely from his hammer—and the father who enchanted it—so it takes a new Thor to show us what it means to truly know your own worth.

Thor derives his sense of worthiness solely from his hammer—and the father who enchanted it—so it takes a new Thor to show us what it means to truly know your own worth.

Philosophy
What Makes Thor Worthy?

Mark D. White Ph.D. on August 11, 2022

Everyone knows the mighty Thor must be found worthy to lift his hammer Mjolnir, but what exactly does this mean?

Everyone knows the mighty Thor must be found worthy to lift his hammer Mjolnir, but what exactly does this mean?

Health
Should You Be Able to Give Your Heart Away—Literally?

Mark D. White Ph.D. on October 6, 2021

We admire those who sacrifice their lives in a crisis to save others, but are we willing to let healthy people sacrifice vital organs and their lives for the same reason?

We admire those who sacrifice their lives in a crisis to save others, but are we willing to let healthy people sacrifice vital organs and their lives for the same reason?

Relationships
Why We Need to Tell Our Partners What We Need from Them

Mark D. White Ph.D. on March 29, 2020

Lying to your partner about bad behavior, such as an affair, is obviously wrong. But it may seem alright, even kind, to lie to them about things that are bothering us. Is that really true?

Lying to your partner about bad behavior, such as an affair, is obviously wrong. But it may seem alright, even kind, to lie to them about things that are bothering us. Is that really true?

Relationships
Why You Need to Believe That Others Can Love You

Mark D. White Ph.D. on March 26, 2020

It's often hard, especially for self-loathers, to believe that others can love us. A new book explains why we have to believe this, even without any evidence to support it.

It's often hard, especially for self-loathers, to believe that others can love us. A new book explains why we have to believe this, even without any evidence to support it.

Ethics and Morality
Why We Relate to Batman

Mark D. White Ph.D. on December 22, 2019

Do superheroes need to have clear-cut moral codes, and can they be conflicted? Does this help make them more relatable?

Do superheroes need to have clear-cut moral codes, and can they be conflicted? Does this help make them more relatable?