Your Life Would Be Easier If You Stopped Thinking in Extremes
The piece argues that extreme, binary thinking—seeing the world as all‑good or all‑bad—can be a survival shortcut but becomes a costly habit in modern life. It cites Daniel Kahneman’s System 1 vs. System 2 model to explain why our brains default to fast, black‑and‑white judgments. The author illustrates how this mindset fuels anxiety at work, in relationships, and personal self‑assessment. By learning to separate raw facts from the catastrophic stories we create, readers can reclaim mental energy and make more nuanced decisions.
The Myth of the Abortion Divide
The post examines long‑running U.S. polling on abortion, showing that about 51% of Americans label themselves pro‑choice while 43% call themselves pro‑life as of 2025. Gallup data reveal a steady split with the share of unsure respondents halving from 11%...
Republics Demand Loyalty to Principles, Not Party
An armed gunman attempted to storm the White House correspondents’ dinner, exchanging fire with Secret Service agents and wounding an officer. President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Vance were evacuated unharmed, and investigators have identified the 31‑year‑old suspect as...
You Don’t Need More Confidence, You Need to Trust Yourself
The post argues that confidence is less useful than self‑trust, which arises when your actions consistently match your words. It explains self‑perception theory, noting the brain judges identity based on observed behavior rather than aspirations. The author recommends starting with...
Something I've Been Wanting to Tell You About
Sharon McMahon launched Governerds Insider, a seasonal private book club that selects two books per cycle and hosts live conversations with the authors, including Jill Biden and Marjan Kamali. The program expands beyond reading, offering live events with figures like Ibram Kendi,...
When Self-Awareness Becomes Self-Surveillance
A 1998 study found that women wearing a swimsuit and viewing themselves in a mirror performed worse on a math test, a phenomenon researchers labeled self‑surveillance. Follow‑up work with men in Speedos replicated the effect, showing that constant self‑monitoring drains...
What We Owe Our Descendants
Sharon reflects on Rahaf Harfoush’s essay urging a mindset that values work for future generations, even if we won’t see its outcomes. She argues that today’s converging crises—demographic shifts, geopolitical realignment, AI, climate feedback loops, and social decay—constitute a civilizational...
Of Course You Care What People Think
A therapist reflects on the painful sting of negative online feedback, revealing how our ancient need for social acceptance still drives modern anxiety. The piece explains that physiological reactions—cortisol spikes and heart‑rate surges—precede rational thought, making it hard to simply...
How to Stay Informed Without Burning Out
The piece examines how platform design—driven by the attention economy and tactics like infinite scroll and "flooding the zone"—creates a relentless sense of urgency that overwhelms readers. It argues that constant exposure to urgent news erodes emotional responsiveness and leaves...