Master of Disgust: Inside the Body Horror Films of Brian Yuzna

If Alfred Hitchcock is the ‘master of suspense’, then I think we can call filmmaker Brian Yuzna the ‘master of disgust’ (or at least, one of the masters in this subtype of horror). Born in 1949, the American director and producer is best known for his work in the science fiction and horror genres, most…

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The Potential Trap of Spiritual Highs

I’ve been thinking recently about this idea of ‘spiritual highs’ becoming a trap – something that can become one’s focus in life, to the detriment of other areas of life. The result of chasing spiritual highs ultimately becomes a barrier to personal growth, or ‘spiritual development’.  I came across this Tweet that got me thinking…

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The Art of Rhetoric: How Articulate People Get Away With Making Bad Arguments

There are innumerable ways to persuade others of an argument or point of view that don’t rely on solid reasoning and logic but instead employ persuasion tactics, either wittingly or unwittingly. This is rhetoric: the art of persuasion. Many arguments can have the appearance of being correct, but under scrutiny, the flaws start to appear.…

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The Mistake of Viewing Psychedelics as a Panacea for Mental Distress

As much as psychedelics hold great promise in alleviating all kinds of psychological distress, they are not a mental health panacea, which they are sometimes touted to be. Based on positive media stories surrounding psychedelic research and anecdotal reports of people being forever cured of chronic, severe mental illnesses, it’s easy to get the impression…

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Fad Diets and Capitalism: The Dark Underbelly of the Weight Loss Industry

While you might imagine the weight loss industry is a force for good in society, helping millions to shed excess weight and achieve better health, there is also a dark side to this industry. The global weight loss and weight management industry was valued at $192.2bn and is projected to be worth $295.3bn by 2027.…

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