furthernewsfromtheshire

Pseudoscience, Protein Wars, and RFK Jr.’s Merry Band of Nitwits

I can’t help but be fascinated by RFK Jr. It’s kind of like driving by a motor vehicle accident-horrifying and yet you can’t look away. Granted, we live in strange times and there is so much to be horrified by that I have to take it in small doses. For years I’ve tried to helpContinueContinue reading “Pseudoscience, Protein Wars, and RFK Jr.’s Merry Band of Nitwits”

Adventures in Forensic Psychology: Competence to Stand Trial

Whenever people ask me what I do for a living, and I say that I’m a forensic psychologist, I generally get some version of “Oh, that must be so cool!” I get it; the only exposure most people have to the professions is what they see on “L.A. Law” or “CSI.” Generally, they see aContinueContinue reading “Adventures in Forensic Psychology: Competence to Stand Trial”

A Holiday Potpourri

Ok, we made it through X-mas relatively unscathed. It was actually pretty good. My son, his wife, and their dog. Gifts were exchanged, and large quantities of salmon, shrimp, steak tips, mashed potatoes and gravy and mushroom casserole were consumed. This was followed by Kay’s whisky cake and key lime pie, plus several other pies.ContinueContinue reading “A Holiday Potpourri”

From Practice to Presence: Pottery, Wabi-Sabi, and the Brain’s Subroutines

It’s Sunday, and over the last year I’ve developed a routine. I don’t really sleep late anymore, so on Sundays I’m usually up and around by 7 AM. A couple cups of French press half-caf, some net surfing, and maybe throw in a load of laundry. I’m usually at the pottery studio by noon; thisContinueContinue reading “From Practice to Presence: Pottery, Wabi-Sabi, and the Brain’s Subroutines”

The House of Identical Lamps

Once upon a time there was a woman named Kay. She lived in a house with her husband, Eric. Kay liked to tap dance and play the ukulele. One evening, she sat thoughtfully in her living room, looking at the furnishings. A few years back, a hotel near their Manchester, New Hampshire, office had closedContinueContinue reading “The House of Identical Lamps”

Gluten Sensitivity

In some of my earlier posts on subjects such as ivermectin and fluoride, I talked about ways that reasonably intelligent non-scientists can evaluate research. I think being able to do this is important for several reasons. Science denial and willful ignorance seem to be all around us these days, and while the right and MAGAContinueContinue reading “Gluten Sensitivity”

Live Free or Die? Prohibition in New Hampshire

You may be aware that the state motto of New Hampshire is “Live Free or Die.” I once heard a comedian comment on this: “There’s a state that has had way too much coffee.” But you have to admire the sentiment; it’s right up there with “Give me liberty or give me death” and “It’sContinueContinue reading “Live Free or Die? Prohibition in New Hampshire”

Adventures in Fermentation: The Wonders of Kveik Yeast

I’ve mentioned in other posts my ongoing interest in brewing and fermentation. It started early, mostly as a byproduct of my desire to get hammered, but then it became what I would call a compelling interest. This reminds me of a quote from Freud in “Civilization and Its Discontents.” “Life, as we find it, isContinueContinue reading “Adventures in Fermentation: The Wonders of Kveik Yeast”

Magic and the Brain

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I am a magician. Not a Gandalf-style wizard, although that would be cool. I mean the “now you see it, now you don’t” sleight-of-hand kind of magician. I’m reasonably good, not quite professional grade, but skilled enough to be entertaining. I can vanish and reproduce coins andContinueContinue reading “Magic and the Brain”

L Was a Personal Friend of Mine: Autism and Savant Skills

So, it was 1978, and I had managed to get accepted to Yeshiva University’s doctoral program in school psychology. Good news, right? But as my father once told me, you try and try to make the team, and then you have to come off the bench and play the game. At that point in myContinueContinue reading “L Was a Personal Friend of Mine: Autism and Savant Skills”