The Courage of Our Conniptions

Musings on religion, politics and other unmentionables.

by Sarah Estes Graham

The Beauty Factor

Whether you're married, single or somewhere in between, you've likely dealt with the ambiguous dance of romantic courtship at some point. Even long-term couples who naively assumed ‘all that' would be over once they settled down have to mind their Ps and Qs lest they give the impression of being on the ‘married but looking' market. Read More

Should You Follow Your Bliss?

In a recent article, Atlantic Monthly Senior Editor Megan McArdle goes out on a limb, sharing her disquiet with Steve Jobs' now oft-quoted 2005 commencement speech. In "Follow Your Bliss-Sort of" she suggests we think twice before quitting our day jobs to pursue high-risk/high-reward work based on the advice of billionaire outliers. Read More

Neuroscientists Learn to Read Minds

Like many a child, I spent a lot of time dreaming of a world where imagined inner realities could somehow manifest in the outer realm. Once I wished so hard for the gift of flight that I began flapping my 'wings' in public (long past the age when this would have been cute). Read More

The High Cost of Agreeability

It's no secret that we're descended from Chimpanzees and partial heirs to their competitive hierarchical structures, so why am I so shocked that at the occasional impulse to gnash my teeth while clicking the obligatory Facebook 'like' on a colleague's accomplishment? Read More

Want to save money? Walk softly and carry a big soda

I'm from a long line of little spenders. Not so much material girls--no fancy dresses or designer shoes. But a sale at Kohl's? The endless farm auctions and flea markets of central Illinois? I was all cringing teenager as my mother tried to argue a woman down over a set of ten-dollar China on the Spoon River Drive. Read More

Reflective giving for a happier marriage

I'm a giver. Sort of. I tend to give happily and reflexively in my marriage until I've given too much. Suddenly, I'm irritated that I'm wiping down the coffee table while my husband is having a nap. Read More

Men Are From Mars, Women Are Broken Robots

I find most 'Mars/Venus' takes on gender relations about as illuminating as a beer commercial. By the time one is done with a typical book on what motivates female romantic attachments (baubles and abs, apparently), one could be forgiven for concluding that the only people dumber than women are the men that try to woo them. Read More

Morals and Motives: Why liberals and conservatives can’t see eye to eye

I consider myself a moderate liberal; so moderate I've considered registering as Independent (or, in rare moments - generally after a particularly embarrassing PETA ad - Republican). Read More

Can Tylenol ease a broken heart?

I've been an ibuprofen girl for as long as I can remember. But pregnancy brings many changes, among them the mandate to avoid OTC painkillers other than acetaminophen. Read More

What can monkeys, porn and celebrities teach us about autism?

Twelve rhesus macaques were given the option of foregoing varying amounts of highly-prized cherry juice while looking at pictures of female monkey hindquarters and genitalia, as well as faces of high- and low-status monkeys in their social hierarchy. Read More

Does religious belief make you more racist?

Numerous studies showing benefits like increased happiness, health and longevity for the faithful have surfaced in recent years. But new research suggests that religious belief can also make you more racist. Read More

Sarah Estes Graham is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles.

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About The Courage of Our Conniptions

The Courage of Our Conniptions blog makes use of research in the social and psychological science fields to shed light on topics ranging from political controversies to relationships.