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Angst!

Philosophy and the text generation.

Depression
A Banker-Philosopher’s Request for a Second Date

Michael Bruce on December 12, 2011

Yes, you might say things that hurt me, but my feelings are already hurt. Sending me an email response (instead of talking on the phone) would better than no response at all, but I think it would be better to talk on the phone. Email communication has too much potential for misinterpretation, etc.

Yes, you might say things that hurt me, but my feelings are already hurt. Sending me an email response (instead of talking on the phone) would better than no response at all, but I think it would be better to talk on the phone. Email communication has too much potential for misinterpretation, etc.

Meditation
A Meditation on Criticism

Michael Bruce on December 9, 2011

What I think most people fail to realize, and something youth can benefits from, is the tacit assumption underlying all criticism. For something to be critiqued, it has to be taken seriously.

What I think most people fail to realize, and something youth can benefits from, is the tacit assumption underlying all criticism. For something to be critiqued, it has to be taken seriously.

Philosophy
Realities of Studying Philosophy at a Non-elite School

Michael Bruce on November 20, 2011

Outside of trying to get into the "best" or highest ranked school you can get into (or can afford), many philosophy undergraduates find themselves thrown into a philosophy department, agnostic to its reputation. It is this reputation that will be a resource or liability for future schooling.

Outside of trying to get into the "best" or highest ranked school you can get into (or can afford), many philosophy undergraduates find themselves thrown into a philosophy department, agnostic to its reputation. It is this reputation that will be a resource or liability for future schooling.

Friends
Friendship After College

Michael Bruce on October 23, 2011

Have you noticed that the older you get, the harder it is to make friends? That your once large, and expanding circle of confidants has ceased growing and even shrunk?

Have you noticed that the older you get, the harder it is to make friends? That your once large, and expanding circle of confidants has ceased growing and even shrunk?

Philosophy
Everything I Say Is False

Michael Bruce on August 21, 2011

Can nonsense still be meaningful? Can it get the fly out of the bottle?

Can nonsense still be meaningful? Can it get the fly out of the bottle?

Freudian Psychology
Honesty and the Hidden Commands We Give Youth

Michael Bruce on July 12, 2011

"Beneath the appearance of a choice is a much more severe order. Not only must you visit grandma but you must want to and like it. I had such a father, which is why I hate him."

"Beneath the appearance of a choice is a much more severe order. Not only must you visit grandma but you must want to and like it. I had such a father, which is why I hate him."

Ethics and Morality
Break-up Ethics

Michael Bruce on June 13, 2011

It's summer! It's hot out. It's break-up season! But do you have a plan?

It's summer! It's hot out. It's break-up season! But do you have a plan?

Cross-Cultural Psychology
Netflix My Life: A Culture of Non-ownership

Michael Bruce on May 11, 2011

"Buying into the relationship" is a phrase people use when referring to ones commitment level in a relationship. Are we now streaming relationships? Are people paying their monthly dues in order to have access to an increased selection of partners and experiences without having to own [up to] anything?

"Buying into the relationship" is a phrase people use when referring to ones commitment level in a relationship. Are we now streaming relationships? Are people paying their monthly dues in order to have access to an increased selection of partners and experiences without having to own [up to] anything?

Embarrassment
Smeared Makeup and Stiletto Heels

Michael Bruce on April 26, 2011

...she was not terribly concerned about the appearance of looking like a slut, so much as she was concerned about looking like an attractive slut...

...she was not terribly concerned about the appearance of looking like a slut, so much as she was concerned about looking like an attractive slut...

Marriage
Marriage: Right person or right time?

Michael Bruce on April 20, 2011

"Men, typically, more often than not, have a time in their life when they are ready to get married than a person they are with... While women, more often than not, judge on who they are with."

"Men, typically, more often than not, have a time in their life when they are ready to get married than a person they are with... While women, more often than not, judge on who they are with."

Philosophy
Culinary Sins and a Philosophical Confession

Michael Bruce on April 13, 2011

The argument for vegetarian is strong, but yet, I eat meat. And I love to eat meat. I'm not sure I'm quite as fanatical about delicious, perfectly cooked and sauced meat as Anthony "Pork is the answer to all problems" Bourdain, but I'm pretty damned close.

The argument for vegetarian is strong, but yet, I eat meat. And I love to eat meat. I'm not sure I'm quite as fanatical about delicious, perfectly cooked and sauced meat as Anthony "Pork is the answer to all problems" Bourdain, but I'm pretty damned close.

Cognition
Interpretations Over Time, Or, I Didn't See That Coming

Michael Bruce on March 24, 2011

Have you thought something would be a great blessing but it turned out to be an incredible headache? Have you been dragged into doing something and ended up having a fantastic time?

Have you thought something would be a great blessing but it turned out to be an incredible headache? Have you been dragged into doing something and ended up having a fantastic time?

Sex
That Will Get You Slapped! An Excerpt From College Sex

Michael Bruce on March 13, 2011

Technology gives the illusion of bringing people together, when often it is doing the exact opposite. 

Technology gives the illusion of bringing people together, when often it is doing the exact opposite. 

Education
The GRE Becomes Relevant

Michael Bruce on March 4, 2011

The GRE has changed! Antonyms and analogies have been removed from the test, so there are no questions that test vocabulary out of context. What does it all mean?

The GRE has changed! Antonyms and analogies have been removed from the test, so there are no questions that test vocabulary out of context. What does it all mean?

Sociopathy
Maybe your ex-boyfriend really was a Psycho

Michael Bruce on February 20, 2011

We want to believe that "deep down" everyone has a moral conscience and the capacity to be empathetic; but since this is not the case, how should this influence our behavior and decision making?

We want to believe that "deep down" everyone has a moral conscience and the capacity to be empathetic; but since this is not the case, how should this influence our behavior and decision making?

Freudian Psychology
All Your Girlfriends Are the Same: Freud's Conditions for Love

Michael Bruce on February 8, 2011

Do you think love and attraction are more or less determined than other aspects of life? If Freud is correct that there are conditions for love, are his categorizations still apt today and would they change over time? If you find yourself falling into Freud's conditions, does it make the experience less meanginful?

Do you think love and attraction are more or less determined than other aspects of life? If Freud is correct that there are conditions for love, are his categorizations still apt today and would they change over time? If you find yourself falling into Freud's conditions, does it make the experience less meanginful?

Philosophy
Don’t take the bait! Philosophy and/of power struggles

Michael Bruce on February 1, 2011

One of the important distinctions one has to make when working with youth is determining if their questions are intended to learn something (facts), or if they are trying to draw you into a power struggle.

One of the important distinctions one has to make when working with youth is determining if their questions are intended to learn something (facts), or if they are trying to draw you into a power struggle.

Philosophy
Existentialism 2.0

Michael Bruce on January 24, 2011

Yet, have we endured the kind of circumstances that will produce a new kind of existentialism? What will be the great philosophical work that articulates our current zeitgeist? What mood will best describe us?

Yet, have we endured the kind of circumstances that will produce a new kind of existentialism? What will be the great philosophical work that articulates our current zeitgeist? What mood will best describe us?

Media
The Internet Will Not Forget Your Birthday, Or Anything Else About You

Michael Bruce on January 17, 2011

But how can we attempt to forget when our pasts have a life of their own online? How can we change and grow when we do not have control over what is put online or how long it stays there?

But how can we attempt to forget when our pasts have a life of their own online? How can we change and grow when we do not have control over what is put online or how long it stays there?