First Blog

The Halo Effect There is in psychology a phenomenon called the halo effect . For the teacher it essentially comes to this: if a student does well on the first few exam problems graded, the teacher will normally grade higher the remainder of the problems.  The counter to this is to grade the first question of all exams, then the second, and so on.  It takes more time. But it erases the effect.  Of course, it is important to not know student names, to try not to remember handwriting, and other clues to whose paper is being graded.  But the halo effect applies to many other phenomena. Now suppose I was going to talk about science, like to tell you things that are generally new and mostly unknown.  How would you receive it?  If you knew me and trusted my words are carefully measure, you would look more favorably toward what I say, and vise-versa. Again, the halo effect.  On the other hand, if you didn't know me, you would read the words with a more questioning outlook and decide well i

If we are ever to understand the mind-brain relationship, it is important to ask the right questions.  If we are to model the workings up there in the head, it is important to create a model of those workings.  Only in that manner can we suggest tests toward validity and reliability.  If we deny functionality of the mind-brain operations, there becomes a muddle most difficult to fathom.  Therefore, assuming functionality, upon which nature seems to operate in most venues, we note for the mind and brain the following capacities: recognizing, learning, remembering, abstracting, rejecting, and focusing.  There are more, but these are most important for a first go.  There is yet another aspect of the mind-brain, that of spiritualism.  From the atheist to the most devout believer, most all persons consider themselves to be “spiritual,”   that is having a capacity beyond the mere biological firing of neurons and the like. Of course, there is the perennial nagging issue of cons

I like funerals.  Not mine of course.  I'm not there yet.  And even not others who are my dear friends.   But I still like because at a funeral, only kind words are spoken, only kind sentiments are given, and only wonderful comments are made.  Everyone is a brother or sister.    Every one seems to have a common bond, if only for a few moments. The funeral is one of the very few events in all of society where people put their swords, spears, knives, barbs, and hooks in the closet.  We celebrate a departed friend, or foe, or loved one, or even acquaintance with equal measures of kindness and love.  The air is one of consilience, of forgiveness, and of hope for all. Almost contradictory this is, this celebration of a life after it is gone.