Linda

 

Linda, last week ,entered her 93rd year.  She was born in Kankakee, Illinois in 1933.  Helen and Raymond were her parents and she was the middle daughter sandwiched between Anne and Bretta.  She has fond memories of swimming as a young girl , playing outdoors and hunting with her father.

The family moved to Gary. Indiana, Kansas City, Kansas as a result of Raymond's management skills for Sears Roebuck and Company .Prior, when Raymond attended Lake Forest College , he played quarterback on the football team which beat Michigan.. In fact, I told Jim Harbaugh the story on Jim Brandstatter's radio show. 

 Linda was a cheerleader at Shawnee Mission High School and an excellent golfer joining her mother at the Indian Hills Country Club.  Note, that on one celebrity outing, Linda golfed with "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias. In that four some,the Babe asked high school aged Linda if she wanted to join her on the pro circuit. 

Freud described a normal, mature, and healthy personality as being able to love and to work  Linda's productive personality  orientation relates to her attitude about  human experiences in the areas of mental, emotional and the sensory domain with self and others. In fact , she has  realized her powers,effectiveness  and potential .

Linda's productiveness was evident in many activities with a great expenditure  of energy as she made an impact on so many others . Linda's productivity was  related to the arts, athletics, learning, marketing , managerial abilities and her love and care for others . Her love was unconditional.  She made numerous connections with others and used her thinking ,creativity and  curiosity  extensively .

Linda's orientation was highlighted by her ability to enliven and enrich  the lives of so many that she met during her lifetime.  Her caring, respect and laughter are contagious.  She extended herself and embraced others irrespective of their beliefs or skin color.  She was a humanist at heart that was reflected in her character.  She  is a truly  remarkable loving individual 

Linda played the ukulele and expressed and achieved excellence in the areas of glasswork  and other works of art. There are many examples of her glass work throughout our home, as well as  with her drawings and paintings.  She also assembled numerous Ride and Tie shirts and used that design in creating a very  special meaning blanket.  Linda and our friend Mike were involved in a tile exercise with children. Their art project is visible and decorates an area near  ALT'S swimming pool.                        

Linda was a Whitewater guide working with those that were  handicapped; an excellent flyfishing person ; mountain biker, down hill skier,  kayaker and swimmer.  In fact, she started a water exercise program in our community years ago.  Linda also initiated and began the ball experience at ALT as well.

Linda was a past president of the Silver Spurs equestrian club  in our community.  She participated in limited distance endurance competitions and was a crew member on my many endurance runs and Ride and Tie events. She rode Raider and I Gypsy and  she also hit the trails with her equestrian friends.

Linda was a PE teacher, a Motorola salesperson and owner of the Merry Maids franchise in Auburn.  Linda recently  gave that business to her oldest daughter Sidne.  Her second oldest child.Kristie recently retired from teaching and her son Buck  has the Home Instead franchise.

Linda was once a proud Republican, but is now a loyal Democrat.  In fact, we recently saw Bernie and AOC at a political event this year.  Linda continues to smile, laugh , engage in yoga ,H2O exercise, driving the golf cart and going to Ironworks gym  irrespective of her cognitive condition.

The Devoted

 

This essay provides one explanation  as to why Trump had a significant following in the 2024 election.  In the past eight months, there's been massive firings of civil service workers, dismantling of  government agencies, disruption of former world allies, economic vulnerability , defunding of universities and  science, attacks on news, political figures and former presidents , a sadistic assault on people of color, sending them to horrible imprisonment locations and of course the terrible bill passed by the GOP Congress.  Although  recent polls  suggest that the majority of citizens oppose these policies, a  significant number around 40% or so  still support him .

From a psychological point of view, the significance of  anxiety and fear reproducing infantile and  child experiences result in dynamics that are seen and repeated in adult behavior.  Anxiety is a repeated prototype and  also associated with  dependence, helplessness and isolation which began with the trauma of birth.  Humans, as a species, remain dependent on another  for  survival.  The dog, cat or horse are examples of initial dependence on the mother and then seem to rapidly become more and more independent within their development.  It's not so for humans.

The newborn, because of its physiology, begins life with a  symbiotic relationship with the mother caretaker. Further, around six months or so, the child begins to separate himself from his mother, as evidenced by separation anxiety with its crying and fussing actions whenever the mother leaves . Because, all the infants-child care, comfort, safety and security  provided by that mother figure becomes threatened . This dynamic occurrence becomes repeated and reinforced over and over again.  In other words, the mother represents and fulfills the child's physiological and psychological needs which becomes threatened with separation..

During  child development, the  father also becomes an important  identification figure with the introjections.  In fact, the father not only represents safety, security and comfort but omnipotent  power and control as in the "King of the Castle."  The child learns how to please his powerful father and loving mother by receiving their love, nurturance and affection and also learns about  fear and hatred through their anger and punishment which is a loss of love by actions that displease the parents. Love, fear and hate are established early psychologically.  In other words, on one hand, the child experiences insecurity, loneliness, powerlessness  and separation that can be modified by union, identification and  introjection with that powerful mother and/or father figure.  This occurs with positive reinforcement and  results in the fulfillment of the unconscious formula or prototype dynamic that becomes repeated not only in childhood but  throughout one's life.  In essence, the need for  protection and security occurs from all the reoccurrences of environmental, cultural, and human hazards that threaten survival.  It's a survival of the fittest ,but only with affiliation which is unconsciously the father, mother  protectors. Also, reality and comfort demands  can be assisted  by other  significant associations and unions  .

During childhood, a child learns and develops a conscience and language including other cognitive developments.  For example, the child learns from a moral point of view of what's right and wrong based on the child's actions , with rewards or punishments   plus overhearing conversations, remarks and behavior made by an authoritarian father,mother  and family  on a wide range of subjects.  A child essentially learns the attitudes of parents pertaining to money, religion , politics , education, health, play, sex, and so forth.

  Clearly, the child learns and believes  everything the parental figures had to say as  truth, goodness and righteousness . Their word is truth and their actions are the law.  A child's perception and beliefs are that the parents are infinitely knowledgeable in their words, remarks and their  sayings are to be revered.  The parental figures are so knowing, so wise and as a result become the remembered law. 

 Early on, one's moral, ethical attitudes are formed and  based on what they've learned from their parents.and family  Because of their limited capacity and knowledge about the world, they are not, at that point ,in their development able  to challenge what they've heard and witnessed.  The  teachings, ethics and learning become embedded in their unconscious and conscious memory.  These various memories become the guides for later action.

Today's economic, social, religious, political, and hazards of nature are associated  with pleasure, frustration, conflict, hardship and pain . Man generally seeks pleasure and attempts to avoid pain from an emotional point of view, it's obvious that some individuals have done quite well in their quest for survival, while others not so well.

There are too many individuals experiencing an inordinate amount of frustration, conflict,anger,pain,and unhappiness related  to economics, politics, health ,ideology and morality resulting in the unconscious, feelings of anxiety, threat,  powerlessness, isolation and impotency.  These psychic  dynamics ,which occurred in childhood, are repeated throughout life.  When these emotional threats occur, there's an unconscious urgent tendency to return for relief, comfort, safety to a father,  mother protector .Therefore, one seeks a “protector” to provide ,comfort.and to reduce that anxiety, threat, fear  and insecurity. 

The smart powerful ruling class use fear as a primary tactic to continue their oppression and rule over this  socioeconomically class of individuals.  In essence, various measures taken by the elite power is simply to maintain that omnipotence and control and to strengthen their hold on the  infantile psychic dependency of the masses. As a result the powerful  elite  impose and  also become that necessary “father” protective figure.  It's clear and obvious that the power structure intimidates the masses intellectually and emotionally to keep them infantile and docile. Further, the powerful also offers the masses other measures of satisfaction that makes life tolerable for them, preventing some from attempting to change their position from that of the obedient son to that of rebellious son.

It's evident that in religion, politics and economics that the powerful employ various fearful strategies that result in a re-emergence ,for many ,of their infantile dependency needs in the search for  protection from a strong, wise, authoritarian,controlling father figure.  Powerful  threats of fear, danger, murder, rapists, loss of jobs , evil, inflation, socialists, Democrats are in Trump’s rhetoric and generalizations.  He’s the only one that's going to make it better.  I can protect you from the immigrants, I can lower the cost of living,  I'm going to make America Great Again .  These socioeconomically deprived ,  idolize, obedient know that  disapproval results in loss of love, protection, rejection and abandonment .

A fantasy is a wish fulfillment and with repeated use of the words and lies that fantasy becomes real. Trump asserts fantasy and his  reality becomes their reality. Like father, Trump is wise, powerful ,right and superior on all subjects . He can do no wrong.

The objective reality doesn’t matter because Trump is their reality . A few of the myths and illusions perpetuated by Trump's GOP are as follows:1. Pres. Obama did not have a legitimate birthright.  It didn't matter that Trump had no solid evidence as his word was the truth.  2. Hillary Clinton's improper  emails 3.Non Russian involvement in the 2016 election 4. The 2020  election was fraudulent. 5. The January 6 rioters were patriots. It didn't matter to the faithful followers because his words were all that was necessary.  In essence, the fact that Trump is a pathological liar does not faze the belief of his followers.  So whatever he says, whatever he does is true, right ,legitimate and moral.

Trump’s followers  also include big tech ,Wall Street ,mega church groups, Congress , Supreme Court and social media giving him a powerful consensus . 

Perhaps the Epstein coverup might awaken some from their psychic paralysis. From Trump's point of view ,pictures can be altered and a witchhunt promoted. All the lies, contradictions, half-truths, deflections and other outlandish distractions have worked brilliantly for him. His beliefs ,words,  actions are truth within an illusionary reality.  Historically, some of our most powerful individuals ,of their time , have fallen prematurely,  Moses never saw the promised land., Jesus was crucified,  Alexander was poisoned,Julius Caesar assisanted, Cleopatra suicide ,Napoleon exiled , Mussolini killed ,and Hitler by suicide . However, the Trump story continues.

In conclusion, the psychological reality for the devoted is based on their  reenactment of their infantile dependency needs and not  based on objectivity, intelligence, experience or reality . Like a father protector , the admired Trump can do no wrong and will make things significantly better in the eyes of the helpless children .

Life and Death

 

This essay compares and  contrasts the ego needs and  the life and death instincts of the Zuni Indians with Hamas.  The ego needs include aggression, affiliation, dominance ,deference and harmavoidance.  In doing so, the character of each will also be apparent.

According to anthropologists and others that have studied Zuni Indians ,their intuitive wisdom is apparent. In fact, they can teach us about living in harmony with nature and appreciating everything on the planet as contrasted with the propensity to destroy .

The Zun’s are respected for their art ,history and making fetishes. These fetishes are images of  real animals and/ or have been imagined with magical powers considered to be inhabited by a spirit.. 

Originally , Zuni  fetishes figures were tools for the hunter . For instance,the hunter would ask for help for the task ahead . He  believed that he could communicate with the spirits of the game he was hunting, asking for permission for the killing,in order to benefit his tribe . He might ask the master hunter ,the mountain lion, for help with tracking his prey. And,  with the  fetish ,,the hunter could feel and see in his mind's eye the living presence of the animal -how it moved, its sounds.and its mating habits for his hunt. In viewing a fictitious Zuni hunter we see a loving relationship with nature and his affinity with the deer . .

The Zuni’s were not idol worshipers.  They didn't look upon the object itself as a God or deity like greed , jealousy, dishonesty or power as related to the capitalist “fetish” pursuit of money and/ or weapons. Instead Zuni's looked upon the fetish as representing a spirit or force .In essence, the fetish power is little more than what the animal would possess in real life  Note ,that there was no ego need to dominate or control, but instead, the need to admire, acknowledge,understand  and preserve.

It was believed that the animals ,being mortal ,are more nearly related to man than the gods. However, the animal is more closely associated with deity,  because they were mysterious and had powers not possessed by man.  With that being said, a brief description of a fictitious Zuni Indian hunter follows.  "Today, father, I came here with my weapon and my prey fetish and prepared myself with all the sacred dances and prayers as the priest gods have taught me....... I pray that I might have good fortune on my hunt over the trails of my earth mother..........Wema traveled in the direction of the barren place until the sun was on his left side..... Before long, however ,Wema caught sight of a matted down circle of grass where the deer had laid down to rest.  The track was fresh ….  The drop is still moist and the grass is bent by the weight of the body and is only now beginning to rise....... hunter found a forked twig of Cedar and stuck it in the ground at an angle so that the prong pointed in the direction the animal had gone......... It stood in a small clearing ,grazing in a narrow meadow of tender grass. Wema placed an arrow against the spring of his bow....... the deer looked up and saw the hunter standing before him, the string of his bow drawn and ready....... A well aimed shaft pierced the chest of the deer for a clean kill, and the animal fell to its knees almost instantly.  Before the breath of life was gone from it, the hunter ran forward .  The deer's front feet were placed  behind the animal's head, and pressed its nose to its own lips.  He breathed his own wind into the  lungs, and inhaled from his lungs as it died......Wema lowered the animal gently to the ground....Ab, thanks, my father, my mother, who grants our daily  bread and the gift of water.  Pray that I shall always have the light of your favor as I have had today.......... to you, deer, I wish good fortune and make a sacrifice to you of the sacred corn pollen and other things with this prayer in these offerings.  I pray to you, good fortune in becoming a new being …..May you hear my prayers as you go forth and grant me and my family a good journey over the trail of life."

It should be acknowledged that at one time, the Zuni made war and took scalps . Their reverence for life was however  expressed through their rituals. For example ,scalps taken by the warriors were brought home and washed in the fetish jar specifically maintained for that purpose.  The scalp, like a fetish ,was believed to contain the spirit or ghost of the person for whom it was taken.  It was handled with great care and respect. It was also cleansed by the relatives of the warrior who took it. The victorious warrior's wife was obligated to go into mourning every month, just as if she were the dead warrior’s widow. In this way the Zuni acknowledged the bond they shared  even with Zuni  enemies.

Yes, the Zuni expressed the ego need of aggression which is to fight, to attack, injure or kill another. This same ego need was expressed differently than with today's Hamas Sapien.  The deer was killed and yet the ego need for deference was also met as this need is defined as to admire and to eulogize . The need  for aggression and deference was also  met in going to war. and the kill .But, there was an absence of hate, revenge, sadism, which are emotions that characterize Hamas aggressors . . 

In contrast to the Zuni Sapiens is the Hamas community.  This group of individuals represent the quintessential tent of evil, and a syndrome of decay which is the cornerstone, the  root of their vicious destructiveness and inhumanity. This group can be characterized by  necrophilia  tendencies which means love of the dead. They love death because they have a death wish, represented by  their  attitude, thinking and behavior tendencies. 

These individuals, with their death instinct, are attracted to the dead, corpses, decay, feces, dirt,starvation sickness, darkness, and night.  It's no wonder they reside in tunnels and have their operations beneath hospitals.For them. destruction is sweet.  They get satisfaction from the absolute destruction taking place in Gaza.  They worship force and within their orientation is the capacity to transform man into a helpless captive, wishing to humiliate him and take away all  his possessions with force.  They love control and their possessions so much that they would rather lose their life than to give up their  20 or so  remaining captives . 

On October 7,2023 , they killed, raped,and  plundered innocent Israelis in  despicable ways. We all know that act alone would've resulted in a massive retaliation by the IDF. However, their mission was to also bring  unbelievable harm,death and destruction to their fellow Palestinians.  The act of abducting Israelis far exceeded a typical response by the Israelis, and was predicted in advance.. These Hamas lovers of death.anticipated  and planned  as they were setting the  stage for massive retaliation to  themselves and their fellow Palestinians.They continue  in acting out their death wishes.

These necrophilia individuals  do  not love life, growth, goodness and love.  Instead they worship and are loyal (ego need of affiliation) and allied with their fellow crazies. Thus, their loyalty is not to goodness, but to evil.  They can rationalize their upcoming death, hate, displeasure and orientation with this life with the crazy notion that their  next life will be filled with virgins .

The ego needs of affiliation and aggression are universal.  However, the Hamas attitude, belief,character  and actions are based on decay, sadism and evil towards their fellow man. Ego needs are universal, but the Hamas group display  actions  which are based  on an immature, infantile,regressive  emotional system.There’s also an absence of intact  ego executive functions in the cerebral cortex with a severed conscience  and they have no sense of love, law, justice, or respect for the humanity of man.

Hamas is doing nothing to relieve the pain, injury, illness, death, or escape  from the dangerous situation that they created.  In other words, they are not meeting the ego need of harmavoidance.

The Zuni respects and acknowledges both life and death.  Their humanity and care regarding their surroundings suggests a connection between both man and nature.  It's difficult to find that attitude and thinking regarding the goodness of human beings with Hamas .The philosophy of humanism  was present within the Zuni society .In contrast, the ego need  of aggression with sadistic tendencies is too  apparent , alarming,distressing , jarring and disturbing.

Reference

Bennett, H.Z. Zuni Fetishes

Fromm,Erich. The Heart of Man

Murray, Henry A. Explorations in Personality.

Thanatos

 

Humans  evolved  about 2.5 million years ago. However, the extinction of Neanderthals happened as recently as  30,000 years ago. And, for the last 10,000 years, Homo sapiens have been the species . Perhaps ,  previous species became extinct because of interbreeding and/or they were replaced because of incompatibility, genocide ,  technology, social skills  food , nutrition,and/ or other  factors . In other words Homo sapiens being supreme are associated with extinction .

For  example, the Orca Whales are now  headed toward extinction. Today, 70% of their offspring  die as a result of food scarcity. The King salmon is the whales  primary food source. But, in; last century, the King salmon has declined by 90%. African elephants, white rhinos as well as numerous other animals have and are becoming extinct.  Also, ecosystems have changed as well as water supply. The rapid population growth in Las Vegas and climate change has put the Colorado River, and Lake Mead in jeopardy because of the demand for precious water .Further,, American fauna was far richer 14,000 years ago .Biologically speaking., we are the deadliest species.

Emma Lazarus , the poet born in New York, New York in  1849 , wrote, "give me your tired, your poor, your masses yearning to breathe free."  Inscribed on the Statue of Liberty pedestal .Yet, what about the prejudicial Immigration laws and restrictions  of 1924 and today’s ICE raids  ?.  In 1933.there were about 9 million Jews living in Europe. In 1945 ,the number was reduced to about 3 million. And, the Nazi's antisematic laws were based on our  Jim Crow laws.  Do not forget we had 110,000  Japanese in  internment camps in the 1940s. To explain Homo sapiens cruelty toward  self,others and nature , we turn to Freud and Murray. 

In Freud's theory  of Eros(libido) and Thanatos(aggression),  both the life ,survival and death,destroy instincts  guide human behavior . In other words, Thanatos  represents the death drive leading people to assault others with sadomasochistic, destructive, murder ,self mutilation  and self-defeating behavior.  Freud’s motivational theory  is based on  the interplay between the life and death instincts. 

Within Henry Murray’s theory of Personology,are the  ego needs of aggression. Aggression is to overcome opposition forcefully, ; to fight; to avenge an injury; to attack, injure or kill another; to  oppose forcefully or punish another. Another related ego need is dominance. Dominance  is to control one's human  environment; to influence or direct the behavior of others by suggestion, seduction, persuasion, or  command; to dissuade,refrain or prohibit. Employing these two ego needs describes man’s aggressive, destructive and killing behavior .

This essay suggests that the Homo sapiens species is headed  in the direction of extinction incorporating the life-and-death instincts. and ego needs.  A few articles found in The New York Times July 13,and July 20 ,2025 depict man treating man and his environment in diabolical, heinous  evil ways and therefore headed in the direction of no return .

The article "The White House's War on Clean Energy Will Fail"  reported that the Inflation Reduction Act-energy , the transition to sun, wind and  batteries has been drastically cut by the Big Beautiful Bill. Note,that  many years ago Jimmy Carter had solar panels  installed in  the White House  Also ,9,000 deaths from inhaling pollution could be saved if we didn’t burn fossil fuel.. Further,.the Gulfstream has begun to weaken  resulting in the rapid rise of sea level on  our coasts.

The GOP's climate disruption stance  affects everyone and some more than others with the inordinate amount of fires, floods and hurricanes,while  a very  small minority profits from this destruction.  This disastrous misnomer suggests that immediate capitalistic greed rules and is more important than health, welfare and survival for about 10 % in our republic which is not a good public health statistic .

tn "America Is Rewriting The Social Contract" the East Hampton Community Community Center and Food Pantry provides  free groceries to about 5,000 families per month.  Recent estimates suggest that 47.4 million Americans suffered from low food security in 2023 and 3.8 million were children.The Congressional Budget Office -  2 million people will lose their SNAP  benefits  The new law will add 11.8 million to the 26 million without health insurance . Of course  black and Latino Americans are disproportionately represented.  Yet , about 3.4 trillion will be added to  the country's huge deficit over 10 years is the CBO's estimate.

The GOP’s attacking the physiological  ego need for millions of its citizens. It is despicable.  Does the GOP  expect that this action will interfere with those citizens  voting in the next election because they will be in and will expend their energy primarily  on survival  ? Is there a  humanistic rationale   for this governing group  to treat these citizens in this manner ?  The  consequences of this cruel action are far-reaching and disastrous and contrary to all religious teachings  and public health .

"Immigration Crackdown Hits Senior Care Work Force" is straining providers with senior populations..Nursing homes and home care agencies are staffed  by 28% immigrants’ according to Census Bureau data. With the median hourly wage of $16.72 in 2023, how many  white individuals are jumping at the chance to work in this industry?  If providers have to pay their employees more, they will have their clients pay more. Also, about 19% of the US civilian labor force is made up of foreign born.. With a growing need,the senior  worker problem gets worse. 

There is a health crisis in this country, especially for older citizens.  In fact, there's an Alzheimer's diagnosis for every one in three citizens reaching the age of 85.  Our capitalistic model is not as effective or more humanistic than the European Socialistic model. for  providing necessary  care to this population .  As a result, reducing the supply of workers will raise wages resulting in less profits. Less profits is not the capitalistic goal.

 There's already a shortage of providers and services for these special.individuals  The GOP does not value older individuals requiring assistance.  Also,these workers are not members of gangs, they are not criminals  but instead provide necessary care and pay taxes.  How is the GOP benefitting from this policy ?  In any event, the country is not . And again the Public Health consequences. are  troublesome ..

Another Trump GOP attack on public health  ,as  the "EPA Says It Will Eliminate IIts Scientific Research Arm" because of the  Trump administration.  This independent  agency research affects all the agency's policies and regulations.They evaluate and provide input on the  risk of hazardous chemicals, impact  of wildfire smoke on public health,  drinking water ,fracturing ,measures , atmosphere, environmental emergencies and exposures to  hazardous chemicals. "With which we don't have the means to assess impacts upon human health and the environment. “ This is another assault on public health in our country . Further, scientific  public health information is being distorted and misrepresented..  In essence, the Trump GOP administration is adding to the problem by lying to its citizens.

 This GOP policy favors the greedy billionaires ,corporations and CEOs.  They do not care about regulations and couldn't care less about Public health consequences.  We have enough hurdles and barriers interfering with public health. The banishment of scientific research  brains adds to the burden .Our  Ill-equipped healthcare  model plus  all the  millions of individuals  being dropped,or not eligible for healthcare, becomes disastrous for  the nation's public health.  Again, capitalistic profit and the almighty dollar is second to none

The GOP rationale for eliminating Medicaid  is simply that the insurance handout doesn't translate with better health outcomes because that population doesn't use the service. They didn’t look into causal  factors regarding that claim . Historically speaking, health care benefits were  first employed by employers, in the  1930’s  as a means to attract workers. In other words, health care insurance was not about providing medical assistance for better health. Instead, it was related as a recruiting tool. And secondly, if people don’t use the insurance,,according to a study at one particular time, take it away. With that reasoning, what if someone doesn’t vote,should we take away their right to vote? Health care  insurance is important for  the nation's health, even though there are better, more efficient models for health outcomes.Socialistic models are superior and more efficient compared  to our greedy capitalistic model on many variables.

In summation, the history of  sapiens can be  explained dualistically. On one hand , sapiens  have created ,explored , discovered and generated the unthinkable.  On the other hand, sapiens are hateful, sadistic,and  destructible murderers.  A doomsday clock , a symbolic measure of humanities' destruction, has been set at 89 seconds, its closest margin ever.  In the sapiens, subconscious brain,,located in the the limbic system   is the site for memory, hormone production, impulse control,fight, flight and anger .This subconscious part of our brain ,more often than not, becomes  more dominant than the functioning of the conscious brain where the  cortex  is located with its higher cognition ,abstract thought, usage of tools, formation and comprehension  of language and   social behavior..And,unfortunately,  77 million voters casted  their ballots in a self  harming derogatory way.  With that being said, the Trump GOP policies and forthcoming information are not credible nor associated with positive Public Health . Instead , its unhealthy policies  are associated with anxiety, fear,lies, destruction  and death .Thanatos rules  . .

Reference

Brain Injury: Alzheimer's, Stroke and Head , Trauma.  Institute for 

Natural Resources. 

Harari, Yuval N,.  Sapiens  , a Brief History of Humankind.

Murray , Henry A.  Explorations in Personality

PS

Ronald Reagan once said, "government is the problem. " it 

certainly can be like the present GOP government.  And, a fire official said that 95% of the fires are caused by humans.

Identity

 

This essay pertains to  Erik H.  Erikson's psychosocial  theory ,in understanding the  crisis “affecting our  society.  Statistics pertaining to loneliness; suicide rates and lone wolf attacks are  associated with ta mental health sickness with  our young “ adults .”   

This  crisis  is reflected in our culture .For instance, Hollywood provides some insight into our values, ethics, morality and ways of being .To compare the past  to differences with the present are a short list of   motion pictures ,depicting significant unions and love affairs : 1.  Casablanca with Rick and  Isla  2.  Gone with the Wind with Rhett and Scarlett  3.  An Affair to Remember with Nickie and Terry 4.  The Way We Were with Katie and Hubbell , 5.  Doctor Zhivago with Yuri and Lara 

.However, today's action filled motion pictures do not primarily promote terrific unions and mature love affairs . Generally, they tend  to portray the stereotype of the self-sufficient action protagonist masculine male. These heroes are aggressive,friendless, and may display  brief sexual ,non love  encounters. A few of these motion pictures include:  Rambo, Jack Reacher, James Bond and Jason Bourne .They are solitary men.

Erik H. Erikson in Childhood and Society presented a psychosocial model of Sapiens development from birth through old age. His theory is based on the idea that we humans encounter 8  psychosocial crises during our history. And,  If the individual is successful at mastering the first of his  psychosocial issues ,he then has an excellent chance of  engaging with the next  and successive stages. However, if there's  a non successful resolution in that first stage ,he has  difficulty  with the next succeeding stage and stages.In stage 1, the  initial crisis for the child is being able to develop  a sense of trust vs. developing a sense of mistrust. With that being said, this essay only addresses stages 5 and 6  of his model. Stage 5 is developing an Identity versus Role Confusion and Stage 6  is developing a sense of Intimacy versus Isolation.

identity occurs in a series of  introjections  identifications or internalizations beginning early on. With continuity ,these become  synthesized resulting in an unique self that occurs despite  all the contradictions , inconsistencies , barriers, failures and  endures with a degree of fidelity throughout the many experiences within his life space .A "successful" identity configuration,results in the ability to form meaningful associations ;a genital union ; a career path; energetic competitiveness ; a psychosocial  self definition  on the path to a sense of  Integrity. 

Failure at this stage of  identity development is characterized by a  weakened ego’s , executive and the super ego's moral functioning, severed intimate  social connections ,self absorbed energy ; being attracted to toxic anti society causes and being prey to anonymous social media sources.This is called Role Confusion.

For me, my many introjections , internalizations,and  identifications began with  mother and father. Then as an American Jew living in the East Side of Detroit with the likes of   Gordy Howe ,the Red Wings, Ted Gray  and Johnny Groth the Tigers, Doak Walker the Lions, Hank Greenberg, Samson, King David , Steve Reeves, Marlon Brando,Norm Shamansky,Bert Ruby , ,Eugene Sandow,Coach Rutherford, Denby High .Wayne State University, Sigmund Freud, Carl Rogers, University of Detroit , Wayne State University ,University of Michigan, PhD Psychologist ,residing in  California with Linda .With that being said, I am an American Jew, a Detroiter,  an athletic  psychologist living  with Linda in California . In essence,I have maintained  consistency and continuity with the past , present and anticipated future  by a multitude of  activities , maintaining long-term relationships with family and friends with  periodic visits  to Detroit.

Today, forming and maintaining entities has been problematic, as result of the rapid changes occurring in our society .These consequential changes  interfere in forming one's identity and as a consequence  often result in  role confusion.  In our  replacement society, residences shift,  neighbors come and go, nuclear families disintegrate,serial marriages, fragile relationships, kids , step kids,daycare centers , baby sitters are exchanged resulting in  anxiety and a failing sense of  belonging ,drifting , anywhere  and nowhere or to no one.occurs  Home becomes defined where one is residing,  “ Papa was a Rolling Stone  wherever he laid his hat was his home,” sang  The Temptations. There are also career and employment upheavals as well as the changing  societal values. What is right,wrong, good , bad ,truth, lies ,abortion,  democracy, rule of law and gender inequality are some of the ideas that  become blurred.

Toxic dependency on computers ,Internet, social media,and  AI add to diminish the feeling of  authentic relatedness making it difficult to identify with parents ,as parents become  easily outdated.  The rapid changes which resulted in making a link to them.becomes severed  The future becomes more unpredictable and the past irrelevant . With that being said, fidelity and continuity become   inconsistent and tenuous resulting  in a weak ego. With  anxiety and incomplete  identity, one looks for a deviant  anti-social group to be faithful.too. 

The impact of role confusion results in difficulty in establishing  the ability for intimacy which directly affects the inability to meet the ego need of affiliation with a multitude of  stereotyped ,anonymous and non-human contacts.This means there's interference , a fear, mistrust and with  a weak  ego’ ,there’s an inability to  cooperate with  another; to please ,win affection and remain loyal. With . Isolation,there’s  severe intimacy  issues which have  serious implications for one's mental health. Also , it interferes with the failure to commit oneself ; to  mutual orgasms with a loved partner;and the strength to abide and endure such commitments despite all the significant sacrifices and compromises .The solidarity of close affiliations and sexual unions cannot be overstated.

Freud was once asked what he thought a person should be able to do well. Freud responded to love and to work.  Freud meant the importance of genital love and  the ability for productive work.General work productivity does not preoccupy the individual to the extent that it interferes with him being genital and a  loving human being.

Moreover, these mistrusting, suspicious, conspiratory ,,isolated, suicidal and lone wolf terrorists,  with an incomplete  or negative identity are associated with the following characteristics although there is more to the suicide ,loneliness and Lone Wolf story These negative identity individuals  all share to some degree the following characteristics: 1.  Their inability ,despite being intelligent, lack of focus, inability to concentrate and  engage in  a meaningful career choice direction.  Likely it's the result of being unable to re-identify , introject and able to successfully compete in the areas of commitment ,achievement and perseverance with their highly  successful parent or parents.  Or, they have re-identified and introjected with those negative, lazy,victim-like parental qualities associated with not  having a successful  working career of the parent or parents.  This individual failure of  being successful , engaging in productive work  and career direction is often associated with the  unsuccessful resolution at the oedipal stage characterized by the necessary ability to identify  and compete with the powerful ,achievement oriented parent.  2.  A sense of despair, boredom, anxiety and ,depression translated “is a wish to die”  as suicide becomes that point of no return, a better option  as a negative identity choice.  It's an identity of  a self destructive preoccupation that becomes fixed  when one loses the out of reach  capacity for intimacy, growth, exploration ,future , sociability, and well-being. What misery were they leaving?  3.  There are a series of undesirable and dangerous  negative identifications relating to destruction and  death fantasies in the unconscious.  It's also a defense against the excessive ideals demanded by ambitious parents.  In other words, it's societal contempt ,a rejection of moral and ethical norms  with rationalizations ,arguments ,opposition and engaging in drugs ,alcohol and other acting out behaviors . As a result , it’s no surprise that they are drawn towards negativity  resulting that these individuals are easily pliant and susceptible to causes , groups  associated with anti establishment  resentment , hate, destruction , violence and death .And ,with the Internet- social media  it becomes  much  to easy to become an anonymous  "member" with no real tangible commitment.  And, Lone Wolf attacks often result in a “glorious “ suicidal death shoot out . It reminds me of Richard Gere’s death scene shoot out. In  Breathless. 

 Additionally, another implication for the difficulty to  meaningfully connect was found in the July 6, 2025 edition of The New York Times.  The article "The Science Of Making Better Decisions" highlighted the importance of human associations and that our brains are configured to pursue rewards that come as soon as possible. The following four  points were made  1. Our  brains are configured to pursue rewards, especially social awards 2 . Our brains seek short-term  rewards as opposed  to long-term rewards.  For example, it's easy to eat a doughnut compared to thinking about  one’s long term health  3.  Individuals are more productive and better able to handle difficult and challenging tasks when working together.  While working together, one sees what others value , what others model ,what others accomplish which is an important and powerful influence 4 The most powerful source of reward is working with others, especially in goal choices and achievements.  In essence, affiliations, friendships become extremely important in goal setting and goal success. Don't forget what Bo Schembechler said. It's about The Team, The Team, The Team..

One example of the disastrous effects for isolation relates to trends of suicidal behaviors for males and females . From 2011 to 2021, the following was reported:.  The percentage of females who seriously considered suicide increased forboth males  and females . A similar trend was observed in suicide planning . The percentage of females andmales who made suicide plans rose . Also, suicide attempts for both increased However, the percentage of females who had injuries,from  suicide attempts also exhibited an overall upward trend while the percentage for males slightly decreased.

Loneliness in the United States shows that social connections are declining and  some groups have higher rates for social disconnection. The  disastrous impact of technology on  inauthentic social connections result in isolation and interfere with physical and mental health and well-being. For example, survival mortality, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, infectious diseases, cognitive function, depression ,anxiety, suicidality and self-harm are examples  of the physical and psychological harm occurring in the US associated with severed connections 

Lone Wolf terrorism from 2001 through 2013 included 45 Lone Wolf attacks, killing 55 people and injuring another hundred 126. Interestingly, 12 law enforcement officers were killed or wounded by lone Wolf terrorists in the 60 years preceding 9/11.  This figure doubled in the first 13 years following 9/11, when the number of law enforcement personnel killed or wounded by lone wolves rose to 24.  Statistics on loan Wolf terrorist are associated with  unemployment,  single white males, with a criminal record, less educated,and more prone to mental illness and suicide .

In summation, identity, role confusion,  and isolation are significant psychological issues with grave implications..  It's clear that the negative effects of isolation affect one's physical and mental  status.  Also, the current political, moral and ethical divisions are also associated with role confusion. To illustrate “ I Pledge Allegiance to the flag...... with liberty and justice for all,” is far from the truth.  That pledge is meaningless and false. Also, being born in America does not necessarily translate to being an American. The toxic messaging of authoritarian politics and oppression  today is an expression of Anglo-Saxon supremacy,a  desire to dominate the world but not to  be held accountable by the world. And, unfortunately  there’s  a consensus for this negative identity formulation.

Reference

Erikson,Erik H. Identity Youth and Crisis.

PS

For a sad fairytale  about loneliness , I refer you to Hans Christian Anderson's "The Little Match Girl." 

Small Hands

 

Masculine behaviors  are defined  culturally  as males become socialized by various activities and personality characteristics.  Masculine  behaviors in the US are associated with aggression, self-reliance, independence, prestige, ambition , being adventurous with  self-confidence. With that being said, we are familiar with the satire and chivalry in the Don Quixote story. This narcissistic  powerful fictional character  nearing 50 years of age , seduced numerous females . His behavior was not about  a special romance , a commitment, or a  lasting  or forever love. Motivationally, sexual conquests  can be viewed according to Alfred Adler’s “ masculine protest .” The motivation of this acting out behavior is related to  the desire for superiority and completeness rising out of a felt inferiority or incompleteness . Masculine protest and  masculinity are related. .Also important is the anxiety behind the tendencies for affection,power , possession and control. This essay is a fictional imitation or representation of  the masculine protest for a Don Quixote type.

Biologically ,in order  for the typical male to function sexually, he must have and maintain an erection during intrcourse until reaching orgasm. Factually, man must have the ability to satisfy his female partner sexually which is based on his demonstrating and maintaining an erection ..During  active intercorse, It's up to the male , not the female  to perform.  If he is not able to perform,he experiences anxiety over the dreaded fear of failure . 

A fear of failure is an attack on man's ego,  prestige,  power,  value , masculinity, potency  and is also related to diminished pleasure and satisfaction.  A “ normal “ man doesn't have to worry about his potency, but the neurotic  does.  However,man’s satisfaction is also  dependent on the woman's will and for  her to reach orgasm for her to feel sexual satisfaction.. 

A significant NSSHB finding reported that about 85% of men stated that their partners had an orgasm after their most recent sexual event.  In contrast , only 64% of women reported that they had an orgasm after their most recent sexual event. Also , one third of men reported a problem with their sexual function. Furthermore , sexual problems are common , for males, with increasing age and have been linked to serious health issues.  And  about 5 million American men have low testosterone  levels, which can affect their sex drive, muscle , bone health,, energy and mood. It’s no wonder that American males are anxious  and compensating about their  fragile masculinity.,.Statistics on gun ownership tell that story. 

The “ masculine” male ,for enhanced self esteem, requires prestige which is emotionally based on proving that he can perform sexually which ,in essence ,places him in a precarious position.  It's an expectation that he has to perform which becomes obvious. Because of his potential fear of failure,, the male  seeks  other  pursuits  and behaviors for reassurance,, for a reduction in anxiety,  as  with his tendencies for acquiring  power, status and  control with  things ,and others. .This results in his ego's need for competing , achieving ,dominating with aggression in many other spheres of  his life. These  ego needs are also associated with -competition ,  willpower,endurance, physical strength, and intelligence  which are necessary assets  for ensuring successful outcomes.  

This ego need of competing,is  related to prestige and expresses itself both in attitudes  and interactions especially towards other men.  With a fear of failure, this  individual has to  repeatedly prove that he is  superior, more popular, better, more competent and more powerful  than any  other man. .He boasts that he is handsome , smarter and he knows more about any topic under the sun.  He  also claims that he's the best negotiator and he, alone, can make better deals .Furthermore, he has to repeatedly demonstrate his power and control over everything..This  man boasts about his  golfing ability.,his  golf trophies,and his  golf facilities . Yet,it has been documented that he  repeatedly cheats in various ways during his rounds of golf. He has  been called Commander in Cheat

.A few other illustrations of his  competitive ego  need seeking prestige and popularity relate to his boasting  falsely about inaugural  crowd size and ,attacking  the character  of Presidents . Obama and Biden,and  Beyoncé ,Oprah,Powell, Fauci and so many others

Some men are gropers and have impulse control issues. .This man has a history of groping behaviors. This behavior is not likely about receiving pleasure but demonstrates his  anxiety, emotional  immaturity by demonstrating his power and control over those that appear to be weak and vulnerable without significant consequences. In fact, he bragged about it on a TV interview and  on another  occasion was found guilty  of sexual misconduct in a court of law when ,finally, a brave female ,despite his sadistic intimidations, stood up to his verbal abuse .

He also had and competed  over young females with his “friend “a  notorious and convicted sex trafficker,  He recently  claimed that he ended , although there is no evidence, that  relationship because his friend took  attractive young females away from him but not because of his fiends criminal behavior.

Associated with the  ego competition need illustrates his desperate , anxious  inadequacy, over vanity  His vanity  is repeatedly expressed and is used  to show off , to demonstrate  and mask that he is not afraid of failing. His  real estate fiascoes and bankruptcies  are masked  by  him placing his name on buildings.  He's concerned with his  appearance thus focusing on makeup and hair  which also relates to his narcissism.  He proudly sells numerous  items and had his own “University.” . He constantly boasts  of his tariff policies irrespective of  the objective reality. Another example of his male vanity is the ability to attract women sexually, to win them over  or take advantage  of  them based on his  power, wealth and celebrity status. Yes , he also pays them.

His  precarious psychological position sets up his fear of being ridiculed and embarrassed  .Psychologically , his quest for survival results in his  aggressive tendency which is a defensive aggressive function. With females,irrespective of ages, he has to dominate with power , to make them feel weak, helpless and fearful . And, if she’s  afraid of him , she won't dare  to  ridicule or take him to court .  So ,when this man is accused of being sexually inappropriate, he springs into  defensive aggressive  action by attacking , threatening and intimidating  that female. It's  his attempt for  sadistic  power over another person. .This aggressive defensive expression is not only related to females . He  dominates, controls and attacks with intimidation over anything and everything . No living person can now  doubt his power and ability for harm..

His quest to compensate for feeling inferior and inadequate are  also demonstrated and  seen repeatedly with his tariff flip flops,mass firings, deportations,  takeover of the justice system, treasury, defense ,Health and Human Services ,colleges , universities,,media and press .. 

In conclusion, some might view or speculate  Don Quixote's masculine protest  was  also related to his fear of castration. However, this essay is based  only on speculation ..

Reference

Fromm,Erich. The Art Of Loving.

Love

 

 Love, the subject of this essay, falls within the powerfully significant affiliation ego needs .Fond memories come to mind personally and from  watching movies with all the  passion, joy, conflict, sadness, and losses.  Some of my favorite movies include   Samson and Delilah with Victor Mature and Heddy Lamar;  Spartacus with Kirk  Douglas and  Jean Simmons; From Here To Eternity with Burt Lancaster,Deborah  Kerr,  Montgomery Clift and Donna Reed;  Cleopatra with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton; Greece with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John; Doctor. Zhivago with Omar Sharif and Julie Christie; The Way We Were with Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford; Helen of  Troy with Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom and Diane Kruger..These  relationships are  universal with  elements of harmony, cooperation and mutual satisfaction, but also  of struggle and disharmony.  

Musically  a few examples of  “love”  lyrics: 1.  Bonnie Tyler's  "It's a Heartache."  It's a heartache  Nothing but a heartache  Hits you when it's too late  Hits you when you're down   These opening lyrics  implies a deep feeling for someone.  Later on lyrics .  It ain't right with love to share    .  When you feel he doesn't care for you   , it ain't wise to need someone   as much as I depended on you.  In this stanza, the lyrics suggest the ego  needs of a masochistic  dependency  that have been severed, resulting in pain, anxiety, and the loss of security.

2.  John Legend's "All of Me"  in verse 1 .  What would I do without your smart mouth?  Drawing me in you kicked me out  .  You've got my head spinning, no kidding, I can't pin you down   What's going on in that beautiful mind. I'm on your magical mystery ride   And I'm so dizzy, don't know what hit me, but I'll be alright .  These lyrics suggest an intense feeling and the ego need of affiliation, which is to please with affection for the object  and masochism dependency. 3.  Engelbert Humperdinck’s last verse  , And I know that my song isn't saying anything new   .  All, but after the Lovin  (after the Lovin)    I'm still in love with you.  Yes, after the Lovin()  After the Lovin I'm still in love with you  Hmm  , After the Lovin I'm still in love with you  .  The ego need of sex  is implied here. 4.In Paul and Linda McCartney's  "Silly Love Song" lyrics  .  Love doesn't come in a minute   .  Sometimes, it doesn't come at all .  I only know that when I 'm in it    .  It isn't silly  .  Love isn't silly   .  Love isn't silly at all( Yeah ,yeah) .  These lyrics suggest that it's difficult to describe love, especially the feelings.  With that being said, the ego need of affiliation related to winning affection of the object is implied. 

5. Verse 1.  In Hopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton John as follows:  Guess mine is not the first heartbroken  My eyes are not the first to cry   .  I'm not the first to know   there's just no getting over you  .  You know, I'm just a fool who is willing   To sit around and wait for you  But baby, can't you see There's nothing else for me to do?  I'm hopelessly devoted to you.  These lyrics suggest unmet ego dependency needs ,symbiotic masochism with the inability for individuation as a result .6. Roy Orbison's "Only The Lonely"   Only the lonely  (dum- dum - dum-dumdy- doo- wah    Know the heartaches I've been through  (ooh--yay-yay- yay-yeah) )    Only the lonely( dum-dum-dum-dumdy- doo wah)  Know  I cry and cry for you( dum -dum--dum- dummy- doo- wah) ..Separation results in loneliness.

The universal, sweet sounding and familiar  stories in love songs generally fall into the following categories 1.  A union representing happiness, pleasure, euphoria- a major ego need fulfilled  2. A breakup of the union representing pain, heartache,  and loneliness.  3.  A sexual union which is another ego needs fulfillment.  4.  Silly, irrational ,unrealistic , misunderstandings ,  fantasy  and illusions 5 . A  symbiotic sadomasochistic union-one possesses ,controls, their " baby," “my,” ” mine,” you belong to me” and as in being hopelessly devoted  which is submissive, unable to be independent 

.However, these lyrics  are emotionally familiar  ,with extremely  wonderful performers and  pleasurable,wish fulfillments , representing a dominant and necessary   ego need of affiliation for survival  with  terrific sounding rhythm , tempo and beat resulting in  motor movement   accompaniment and well being  These stories , with gratification and union ,suggest the  importance of meeting the ego needs of  affiliation ,safety and belonging. Without meeting these needs results in anxiety ,separation, unpleasantness and being alone . Also expressed  is the importance of the sexual  ego need ..

From  fiction, Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet illustrate an example of "romantic love."  These two young lovers have this symbolic teen age infatuation  and/or crush . These young individuals " interact," only from a distance .Their “love” is an example of a  wish fulfillment with a tragic ending.  In other words, love is something associated , in the mind, with  a multitude ,repetitively with various illusions, fantasy and a wish fulfillment . These two did not experience a mature love..For survival, man’s ego needs are not  based on fantasy, illusions  and wish fulfillments.

Abelard and Heloise were medieval lovers.  Abelard, a theologian and his pupil,and nun shared a secret marriage, their son and Abelard’s castration.  Abelard was imprisoned and the two exchanged love letters written in Latin during the 12th century.  For a glimpse into the past is a tale of their love and suffering related to the  sadistic separation of their physical union.

In psychology, " love," was omitted from a psychiatric glossary of the American Psychiatric Association.  However,  love in the  Dictionary of Psychology is defined as a typical sentiment involving fondness for, or attachment to, an object, the idea of which is emotionally colored whenever it arises in the mind  ….of invoking  the whole, gamut  of primary emotions, according to the situation in which the object is placed or  represented;  often by psychoanalysts, always, used in the sense of sex -love, or even lust.

When a politician or entertainer  tells the crowd that he loves them, what does he mean?  More than likely, he's referring to what he's experiencing and that experience “feeds” his narcissism.  Yes, he or she  liked that they showed up,supported , clapped,  cheered ,shouted  and paid his bills .

Psychologist Paul Ekman ,in his research across cultures,listed six universal- primary  emotions.  They are happiness,sadness,fear,disgust, anger,and surprise. Note the absence of love .

Briefly, Erich Fromm  in The Art Of Loving   “ Love is not a sentiment, easily indulged in...... in order to love one has to develop total personality and achieve a productive orientation........ satisfaction of individual love can't be attained without the capacity to love one's neighbor..... Without true humility, courage, faith and discipline.... And the capacity to love remains a rare achievement." 

 Fromm went on and described love as a most powerful overcoming of  human separateness, loneliness and  as a fulfillment for the longing for union.  He also wrote that love is active ,not passive. And,it requires the union of oneness and importantly individuation along with  attitudes and behavior resulting in care, respect, responsibility, and knowledge within  a productive character orientation . Fromm also described, brotherly love, motherly love, erotic love, self-love and love of God.

A quote by Marx "Assume" man as man , and his relation to the world as a human one, and you can exchange love only for love...... Every one of your relationships to man and to nature must be a definite expression of your real individual life corresponding to the object of your will. If you love without calling forth love as a loving person  that is ,if your love as such does not produce love, if by means of an expression of life as a loving person you do not make yourself a loved person, then your love is impotent, a misfortune.”

Harry Stack Sullivan wrote about failed interpersonal love relationships and unions as  parataxic   Simply put, humans have a tendency to perceive others based on their own past experiences and unconscious biases, illusions , fantasies and rationalize their bad motivations using excuses of  benevolence, duty or necessity. And, the same dynamics occur with the love object as well. Simply put, the distortions  and so forth are not based on experience with the other  but are  unconscious  projections and not reality based.

It’s not surprising, the word love is overused, and  misused with  its various meanings.  Lyrics in popular  songs are  generally  universal but trite, silly, unrealistic, pertaining to sex as well as with the implications of symbiotic sadomasochism with ownership, domination, loss of self and/or individuation  within  dependency. But, the music , the harmony, rhythm and beat are terrific. However, when someone expresses the words "I love you" they might be meaningless because of  ignorance, from lack of understanding  a wish fulfillment motive and/or an inadequate character.. Further, with a limited amount of psychic energy, love can be derailed by threats from nature as in flooding , fires, earthquakes;;progressive illness , disease and from cultural, economic, social and political norms because of man’s fragileness, anxiety of aloneness and/or his ego's need of affiliation in his  pursuit of survival . Humans have created a  plethora of” love”  stories in religion, songs,poems, novels, and movies for a variety of motives. However, enmity is not predominant in our culture. . .