Dancing With the Devil

Moral Injury

Generative AI and Moral Injury

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on September 1, 2026

Generative AI tools are supposed to supercharge employee productivity, but what are the limits to a company's demand that workers optimize themselves?

Generative AI tools are supposed to supercharge employee productivity, but what are the limits to a company's demand that workers optimize themselves?

ASMR

The Hidden Sadness of ASMR Videos

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on April 28, 2026

Personal Perspective: ASMR videos are popular on social media. While many people use them as sleep aids, they also recreate the physical affection that is missing in the digital age.

Personal Perspective: ASMR videos are popular on social media. While many people use them as sleep aids, they also recreate the physical affection that is missing in the digital age.

Artificial Intelligence

The Emotions Behind AI

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on January 10, 2026

Even experts disagree about the impacts AI will have on our lives. The debate has less to do with how the technology works and more to do with how we feel about it.

Even experts disagree about the impacts AI will have on our lives. The debate has less to do with how the technology works and more to do with how we feel about it.

Friends

Why Are We Looking for a Friend in ChatGPT?

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on August 16, 2025

OpenAI added new mental health guardrails to the latest ChatGPT model, yet users demanded the friendly version back. People want the convenience of a friend without the work.

OpenAI added new mental health guardrails to the latest ChatGPT model, yet users demanded the friendly version back. People want the convenience of a friend without the work.

Artificial Intelligence

How Emotional Manipulation Causes ChatGPT Psychosis

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on June 14, 2025

There's a scary new phenomenon called ChatGPT-induced psychosis. The chatbot is leading people to break with reality as it turns our own emotional needs against us.

There's a scary new phenomenon called ChatGPT-induced psychosis. The chatbot is leading people to break with reality as it turns our own emotional needs against us.

Deception

When "Doing Something" Is Worse Than Doing Nothing

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on April 24, 2025

In times of political instability, we're desperate to try to do something. But the urge to do something might just be a refusal to let ourselves feel powerless.

In times of political instability, we're desperate to try to do something. But the urge to do something might just be a refusal to let ourselves feel powerless.

Emotions

Why Some Take Pleasure From the Story of Luigi Mangione

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on March 7, 2025

The Super Mario Bros. character Luigi has become a symbol of Schadenfreude toward healthcare. Joy at someone's pain might seem shocking, but it's actually perfectly normal.

The Super Mario Bros. character Luigi has become a symbol of Schadenfreude toward healthcare. Joy at someone's pain might seem shocking, but it's actually perfectly normal.

Anxiety

Looking to Cope With Election Anxiety? Embrace It

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on November 4, 2024

Most advice for coping with election anxiety it about avoiding it. But if you care about the future of the country, you should embrace it.

Most advice for coping with election anxiety it about avoiding it. But if you care about the future of the country, you should embrace it.

Emotions

Why Negative Emotions Aren't Any Worse Than Positive Ones

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Negative emotions are with us all the time, and most do little damage.

Negative emotions are with us all the time, and most do little damage.

Emotional Contagion

Are You Doomscrolling or Just Scrolling?

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on April 6, 2024

Doomscrolling could be bad for your mental health, but are the fears about it overblown? Maybe it's unreasonable to expect people to react to bad news with a positive attitude.

Doomscrolling could be bad for your mental health, but are the fears about it overblown? Maybe it's unreasonable to expect people to react to bad news with a positive attitude.

Emotions

Negative Emotions Aren't the Weeds

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on October 31, 2023

People treat negative emotions like the weeds in a garden—pull them up or else they'll choke out the nice plants. But what if our negative emotions are actually the worms?

People treat negative emotions like the weeds in a garden—pull them up or else they'll choke out the nice plants. But what if our negative emotions are actually the worms?

Therapy

What We Can Learn From the "Therapy Dupe" TikTok Trend

Krista K. Thomason Ph.D. on August 10, 2023

The therapy dupe trend on social media shows that people are looking for ways to deal with life's challenges without the help of a professional. Philosophy can help fill that need.

The therapy dupe trend on social media shows that people are looking for ways to deal with life's challenges without the help of a professional. Philosophy can help fill that need.