Word Prisms

Magical thinking is the belief that one’s thoughts, actions, words or use of symbols can influence events in the physical world. 1   Children and adults before the age of science used magical thinking to explain the world, like religion. Some would argue that religion still plays that role today. I was quite big on magical thinking as a kid and still slip into the habit as an adult. My mother put huge pressure on me to do well in school to which I responded with magical thinking rather than applying myself to activities that would actually make a difference. For example, if I got to the gate with the garbage before the back door swung shut, I would get into university. If I sunk ten hoops in a row in the backyard, I’d do well in my upcoming piano exam. I’m sure you can see the stupidity of it. It’s all about feeling safe. I sought that reassurance in an activity over which I felt I had control. Before science, people sought control of weather and disease in th...

In his campaign to become the United Conservative Party leader, Jason Kenney claims "it's time to Unite Alberta and bring back the Alberta Advantage."  He includes a commitment to unity in his banner 'Jason Kenney - Experience, Leadership, Unity.' Ironically, he's the most divisive politician to enter Alberta Politics in recent memory. He uses dog whistle politics to question the heritage of First Nations people, the right of LGBTQ students to join a Gay Straight Association in school without being outed by their parents, accused the NDP of an ideology conspiracy and the use of social engineering to indoctrinate our young people, and called the politics of millennials a product of hardwiring collectivist ideas and identity politics.  Lots of people hate Rachel Notley. She called Albertans the embarrassing cousins when referring to Alberta's environmental record; a huge strategic mistake probably the consequence of hubris after having just won a...