Category Archives: State of the Nation

While I am loath to talk politics, there will be times when I will want to rant, or perhaps more importantly, quote from a piece seen elsewhere that captures my thoughts far more precisely than I ever could.

A Bourgeois Prejudice: Thoughts on Tattoos and How They May be Killing You

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

I don’t have any tattoos. You can check if you want 🙂 First of all, they cost money, don’t they? Secondly, I cringe at sight of them; seriously, and when I see one, I default to a projection of uncleanliness. … Continue reading →

Posted in General Musings, People (in general), State of the Nation | 2 Comments

Relax, at least you’re an American

Posted on June 30, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

Sometimes, the advent of July 4th gets me down. I am traveling on university business and as I sit in a hotel room in the middle of Germany – itself the epicenter of once-fanatical and now renewed nationalism – I … Continue reading →

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Please Delete Facebook – And Here’s Another Reason Why

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

My regular readers know that for several years now I have recommended quitting Facebook. In my doctoral research, I came to read dozens of studies about how this social media site was contributing to a rise in depression diagnoses, an … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Business, Counseling Concepts, General Musings, People (in general), People in general, State of the Nation | Comments Off on Please Delete Facebook – And Here’s Another Reason Why

This is … Priceless: The Idiocy of “Virtue Signaling”

Posted on May 27, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

Starbucks plans to eliminate plastic straws from its stores by next year. Lyft has committed to “carbon neutrality.” Candy-maker Mondelez says all its wrappers will be recyclable by 2025, and Goldman Sachs has banished paper cups. But there’s scant evidence … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, General Musings, State of the Nation | 2 Comments

I am sure to get in trouble for this one!

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

What follows is Dr. Jordan Peterson’s latest Op-Ed piece in Canada’s National Post. It is copyrighted by both him and the Post.  We can file this one under: You Have Been Warned: Junk Thought leads to Junk Policy. Candidly, I … Continue reading →

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The Wealthy Have an “Optics” Problem

Posted on February 1, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

The following essay was authored by a “Dr. Hall” and ran on the Wall Street Journal’s website on February 1, 2019.  The WSJ did not provide Dr. Hall’s complete name.  I am capturing it here for my own reference and … Continue reading →

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Cal Newport on Quitting Facebook, and The Death of Concentration (Part One)

Posted on January 27, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

Several years ago, I quit Facebook and never looked back.  There hasn’t been a time when I regretted the decision or somehow looked with envy upon those well-connected friends of mine who get all they need to know from Social … Continue reading →

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Correlation is NOT Causation – Lest We Forget

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Dr Joseph Russo

Wanting this to be preserved for my own reference, I am posting this Wall Street Journal article (from January 22, 2019) to my Blog. I am especially proud of Mr. Rocca’s reporting of the John Jay conclusions; to wit: “Researchers … Continue reading →

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White Christmas

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Dr Joseph Russo

As the nation grapples with the putative messages contained within “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” I thought it would be nice to pause for just a moment. The #MeToo Movement is out of control, and has now succeeded in banning an … Continue reading →

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Toy Trains — Doing it My Way

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Dr Joseph Russo

In my youth, and really as a reflection of my father’s youth in Hoboken, New Jersey and his later work in Hollywood, I had two passions: the artistry of Frank Sinatra and … toy trains. Even now, I continue to … Continue reading →

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