When something good happens, people tend to think: “I worked so hard, I’m so talented, I did a great job!” But when things go wrong, people often start taking a mental account of any external factors that could be to blame. Can you think of a time when you were quick to take credit for … Read more
When I was 28, I got laid off from my favorite full-time job. I left work that day in tears, thinking my professional life was over. I felt betrayed by my colleagues, with whom I had become extremely close. My boss, a big sister of sorts, all of a sudden felt like a stranger. I … Read more
I have a good friend who recently gave birth to her fourth child, a baby boy. She and her husband waited until he was born to find out the sex of the baby, and the results came as a surprise to friends and family, as many had bet on their final child being a girl. … Read more
If you’ve ever been asked if you are a Democrat or a Republican, your answer may have fallen into neither category. In fact, according to a 2018 Pew research study, 38% of those polled claimed to be Independent in their party choice, while only 31% committed to being Democrat and 26% Republican. But the original … Read more
If I were to ask you what the cost of living will be in Canada in March of next year, the first thing you may think to ask back is what the cost of living in Canada is today. Then, based on that number, you would probably make an assumption about how (or if) that … Read more
When I was in high school, I had to participate in a debate with a classmate on the topic of whether or not the drinking age should be pushed from 21 to 18. I was assigned to argue that it should be 18 and she argued that it should stay 21. I initially thought this … Read more
We all make assumptions. Making assumptions is a way to save brain power, as we can simply put patterns together of human behavior or other phenomena based on our past experiences. Doing so helps us make sense of the world as we encounter new people or situations. And while making assumptions isn’t always a bad … Read more
If you work hard day in and day out and always strive to put your best foot forward at anything you’re doing, you will probably be surprised to know that your brain…is lazy. On the other hand, if you’re familiar with the “exercise paradox” — the contradiction that despite increasing knowledge about the importance of … Read more
When in his 80s, a friend’s grandfather (Pappy) told me that he’s smoked a pack of cigarettes a day since he was a teenager and he turned out just fine, so it can’t really be that bad for you. Now, for any of you who can think back to statistics 101, n=1 in Pappy’s little … Read more
In 2001, then-president George W. Bush was quoted making the following statement to Congress in response to the attacks on 9/11: “Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists.” In the time since, President Bush has been criticized for his all-or-nothing … Read more