Why do People Join Cults and Believe Propaganda? The Internet and the Illusion of Truth When the internet first emerged, many believed it would solve our political problems by providing universal access to truth. I remember these days myself and there was a techno-libertarian-utopianism that pervaded the early internet. The idea was that, with the ability to bypass traditional gatekeepers like the government and the news media, people would be able to find and spread accurate information, leading to a more...
Walter Ong: Orality, Literacy, and the Jesuit Worldview
I. Who was Walter Ong Walter J. Ong (1912-2003) was an American Jesuit priest, professor of English literature, and cultural and religious historian. Ong made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of literacy studies, media ecology, and the evolution of human consciousness. His work explored the profound differences between oral and literate cultures and how the shift from orality to literacy has shaped human thought, expression, and social organization throughout history. As a Jesuit scholar, Ong's ideas...
Is Metamodern Meme Cultural Making us Speak Literally and Symbolically at the Same Time
The Metamodern Linguistic Turn What is Metamodernism? Metamodernism is an emerging cultural paradigm and sensibility that transcends the dichotomies of modernism and postmodernism. It seeks a synthesis of the universal aspirations and grand narratives of modernism with the relativism, irony and deconstruction of postmodernism. As we progress further into the 21st century, it becomes increasingly clear that the cultural frameworks of the past are no longer adequate for making sense of our rapidly shifting world....
Subjective Experience in Trauma: A Comparative Analysis of Freud, Adler, and Jung
How did Freud Jung and Adler Concieve of Trauma? The conceptualization of psychological trauma has undergone significant evolution since the pioneering work of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, and Carl Jung in the early 20th century. These founding fathers of psychotherapy each developed distinct theories regarding the origins and manifestations of trauma, with their perspectives shaped by their understanding of emotion, the unconscious mind, and the role of subjective experience in shaping psychological well-being....
The Frame of Mind: How Aspect Ratio Shapes Our Cinematic Experience
The Psychology of Aspect Ratio How does aspect ratio tell story and influence emotion? In the realm of cinema, the frame is not just a technical necessity but a powerful psychological tool. The proportions of that frame, known as the aspect ratio, profoundly influence how we as viewers engage with, interpret, and emotionally react to the story unfolding before us. From the nearly square frames of early silent films to the widescreen marvels that dominate multiplexes today, the evolution of aspect ratio parallels...
How to Use Mythology as a Therapist
Insights from Greek, Norse, Egyptian, and Hindu Mythology for Psychotherapy, Creativity and Trauma Why do Depth Psychologists Use Mythology in Therapy? Mythology has long been recognized as a powerful tool for understanding the human psyche and the complexities of consciousness. Through vivid narratives and symbolic imagery, myths from around the world offer profound insights into the intricate workings of the mind, the nature of the self, and the universal experiences that shape our lives. Many therapists and...
How Alabama’s New Laws Could Affect Therapists
What Do Alabama's Abortion Laws Mean for Therapists and Mandated Reporters? Recent changes to Alabama’s abortion laws have significantly altered the legal landscape surrounding reproductive rights, particularly in redefining personhood to include embryos and fetuses at all stages of development. This could have far reaching implications for how anyone providing or recieving mental health care. What is Mandated Reporting? Mandated reporting laws require certain professionals, including therapists, to report...
The Multifaceted Psychological Power of Color
How Does Color Effect Brain Function? What is Color? Color is a ubiquitous and powerful psychological force, influencing human experience and behavior in myriad ways. This paper explores the multifaceted effects of color, focusing on four key areas: somatic memory, trauma and implicit memory, brain function as measured by QEEG, and the behavioral impact of bright colors in advertising and consumer psychology. Drawing on a wide range of studies, we examine how color can evoke physical sensations, trigger...
Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker: Integrating Modernity, Postmodernity and the Therapeutic Encounter
Who are Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker? In their seminal 2010 essay "Notes on Metamodernism", cultural theorists Timotheus Vermeulen and Robin van den Akker outlined an emerging cultural paradigm they dubbed "metamodernism". Oscillating between the opposing poles of modernist sincerity and postmodern irony, the metamodern sensibility attempts to transcend the aporia of the postmodern era without regressing to the naivete of the modern. This article will explore the implications of Vermeulen and van...
The Metamodern Turn of Christopher Partridge: Spirituality, Depth Psychology and Healing Trauma in a Post-Postmodern World
Who is Christopher Partridge? Professor Christopher Partridge is a leading British religious studies scholar and social scientist whose work has profoundly influenced our understanding of alternative spirituality, popular culture, and contemporary religion. As Professor of Religious Studies at Lancaster University, his groundbreaking research in Western esotericism, new religious movements, and the intersection of religion with popular music has shaped academic discourse since the 1990s. His influential books,...