Shut Up and Listen!

Limerence

Limerence and the Perils of Hopeless Longing

George Michelsen Foy on August 18, 2026

Longing for someone you'll never get seems wasteful. Doing so obsessively is a problem. Yet this common emotion has generated some of the world's great art. Is there an upside?

Longing for someone you'll never get seems wasteful. Doing so obsessively is a problem. Yet this common emotion has generated some of the world's great art. Is there an upside?

Artificial Intelligence

The Fork in the Road: Jobs for AI—or for People?

George Michelsen Foy on May 7, 2026

As more jobs are taken over by artificial intelligence, humans may reach a point where they must reserve some work for themselves in order to remain functional and happy.

As more jobs are taken over by artificial intelligence, humans may reach a point where they must reserve some work for themselves in order to remain functional and happy.

Stress

Wherefore Art Thou Romeo? How Reciting Verse Reduces Stress

George Michelsen Foy on March 9, 2026

Reciting a poem or play, by synchronizing breath and heart rate to verse, has been found to reduce stress and relax the mind.

Reciting a poem or play, by synchronizing breath and heart rate to verse, has been found to reduce stress and relax the mind.

Neuroscience

The Downside of Silence

George Michelsen Foy on November 12, 2025

While seeking silence or relative quiet usually has a beneficial impact for people living in noisy societies, certain types of silence—psychological or political—can cause harm.

While seeking silence or relative quiet usually has a beneficial impact for people living in noisy societies, certain types of silence—psychological or political—can cause harm.

Disaster Psychology

It Can't Happen to Me

George Michelsen Foy on May 8, 2025

Humans might be wired to ignore catastrophes because our brain likes to turn experience into habit, causing us to ignore perilous new factors in wildfires and other disasters.

Humans might be wired to ignore catastrophes because our brain likes to turn experience into habit, causing us to ignore perilous new factors in wildfires and other disasters.

Loneliness

Our Quest for Ease May Be Bad for Us

George Michelsen Foy on January 24, 2025

The technologies of convenience are sabotaging skills and activities that connect us to the world and to others. The result? Depression, anxiety—and worse.

The technologies of convenience are sabotaging skills and activities that connect us to the world and to others. The result? Depression, anxiety—and worse.

Grief

Why People Grieve Alone

George Michelsen Foy on November 3, 2024

Why do some people seek solitude in grieving? Common wisdom holds this can be unhealthy, but solitary reflection can also maintain a healthy acceptance of the process of loss.

Why do some people seek solitude in grieving? Common wisdom holds this can be unhealthy, but solitary reflection can also maintain a healthy acceptance of the process of loss.

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome and Novelists: A Perfect Match?

George Michelsen Foy on July 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: Is imposter syndrome an occupational hazard for writers who must accurately observe others in order to create believable characters?

Personal Perspective: Is imposter syndrome an occupational hazard for writers who must accurately observe others in order to create believable characters?

Imposter Syndrome

How Writers Are a Perfect Target for Imposter Syndrome

George Michelsen Foy on June 13, 2024

Writers are uniquely prone to imposter syndrome due to the alienating effects of their observer status and inhabiting made-up characters. Is this also what frees them to write?

Writers are uniquely prone to imposter syndrome due to the alienating effects of their observer status and inhabiting made-up characters. Is this also what frees them to write?

Artificial Intelligence

Is AI Alive? Thoughts From a Human

George Michelsen Foy on March 4, 2024

Big, complex systems often seem "strongly emergent"—behaving in ways we don't expect. As AI improves, will it be the next stage in evolution?

Big, complex systems often seem "strongly emergent"—behaving in ways we don't expect. As AI improves, will it be the next stage in evolution?

Depression

Tinnitus Is Psychologically Damaging, New Research Finds

George Michelsen Foy on December 7, 2023

New studies show that tinnitus—ringing in the ears—causes psychological stress, but new therapies may provide relief.

New studies show that tinnitus—ringing in the ears—causes psychological stress, but new therapies may provide relief.

Fear

Sharks! What Lies Behind Our Fear of Them?

George Michelsen Foy on August 17, 2023

Sharks trigger terror in humans, despite the near-zero chance we will actually be hurt by one. Scary aspects and a lack of cuddliness are two reasons. So is media hype.

Sharks trigger terror in humans, despite the near-zero chance we will actually be hurt by one. Scary aspects and a lack of cuddliness are two reasons. So is media hype.

Stress

Can Soundscape Tuning Improve Your Quality of Life?

George Michelsen Foy on May 20, 2023

We may improve our quality of life by examining and tuning the soundscape around us.

We may improve our quality of life by examining and tuning the soundscape around us.

Stress

Why Are the UN's Black Helicopters Targeting Me?

George Michelsen Foy on March 27, 2023

Conspiracy theories flourish in an environment of informational stress.

Conspiracy theories flourish in an environment of informational stress.

Health

The Faulty Message of "It's a Wonderful Life"

George Michelsen Foy on December 5, 2022

Personal Perspective: In real life, the Mr. Potter-types are coming out ahead.

Personal Perspective: In real life, the Mr. Potter-types are coming out ahead.

Media

Polarization, the Township, and Social Media

George Michelsen Foy on November 14, 2022

Deprived of neighborhoods and hooked on Twitter, it's no wonder we rage at others.

Deprived of neighborhoods and hooked on Twitter, it's no wonder we rage at others.

Fear

Why Does Polarization Happen?

George Michelsen Foy on October 24, 2022

How our brain is structured contributes to political polarization.

How our brain is structured contributes to political polarization.

Fear

Caveman Brain Versus Explorer Brain

George Michelsen Foy on September 2, 2022

Why is modern life still in thrall to the fight-or-flight reflex? Our brain structures provide an answer.

Why is modern life still in thrall to the fight-or-flight reflex? Our brain structures provide an answer.

Flow

The Creative Benefits of Writing Longhand

George Michelsen Foy on May 30, 2022

Writing with pen or pencil boosts recall and analysis and—maybe—creativity

Writing with pen or pencil boosts recall and analysis and—maybe—creativity

Teamwork

If Aliens Showed Up, Would Humans Stick Together?

George Michelsen Foy on March 15, 2022

The discovery of extraterrestrial life forms of whatever nature may profoundly affect how humans view themselves—but not how they may react to aliens.

The discovery of extraterrestrial life forms of whatever nature may profoundly affect how humans view themselves—but not how they may react to aliens.