Author Archives: N.S. Palmer

Unknown's avatar

About N.S. Palmer

N.S. Palmer is an American mathematician.

A Pop Quiz About Government

We’ve got a pop quiz today, kids. But don’t worry: There’s only one question, and it’s multiple-guess. The authors of the U.S. Constitution were greatly influenced by a book called The Spirit of the Laws. It said there were three … Continue reading

Posted in Political Science, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Swimming or Treading Water?

If you’re swimming, then you’re going someplace. If you’re treading water, then you’re just waiting to drown. Call me crazy, but I don’t think that waiting to die is a good way to live. If your life is going to … Continue reading

Posted in Life, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Don’t Be Misled by Biased News

Note: With a presidential election coming up, the news media are full of misleading headlines, biased reporting, and less often, outright lies. Here’s how to avoid some of the most common traps. (Originally posted on my other blog in 2018.) … Continue reading

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

You Are Not Alone

You are not alone. Trust me on that. Right now, someone who loves you is thinking about you. Wondering if you’re all right. Wondering if you’re happy or sad. Wondering if now is a good time to give you a … Continue reading

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prevent Suicide But Don’t Miss The Point

You might not know it — I didn’t, until a couple days ago — but September is National Suicide Prevention Month. It’s a good cause, but focusing on suicide risks missing the point. The suicide is only the final act … Continue reading

Posted in Psychology | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

You Are Responsible for You

Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) was a poor boy from Illinois who became one of America’s greatest presidents. He was not a perfect person. He failed often, but he never let it stop him. He kept on going. And whether he failed … Continue reading

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Get Happier: Read The Bee

If you’re not reading The Babylon Bee, you should be. Along the same lines as my July 28th blog post “Normies Don’t Care About Ideology” (but funny), The Bee today published this article: “Get A Load Of This Ignorant Moron Who … Continue reading

Posted in Christianity, Life, Society | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Declaration’s Missing Word

Many recent social conflicts might have been avoided if the American Declaration of Independence had added one simple word. The Declaration’s second paragraph states the political ideals on which it was based: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that … Continue reading

Posted in Philosophy, Political Science, Society | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

You Have Been Deceived

You have been deceived. There’s no shame in that. You might even take it as an indirect compliment. Fake psychics love to have scientists “test” their powers because scientists are easy to fool. Scientists work with observable facts, so they … Continue reading

Posted in Life, Political Science, Psychology, Science, Society | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Powers and Abilities Far Beyond

“Strange visitor from another planet, who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.” — Voiceover from the 1950s “Superman” television show I’m going to tell you two stories. The first is known to be … Continue reading

Posted in Human Relations, Life, Psychology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments