I hate Abercrombie and Fitch. It all started a few years ago. A member of my youth group worked at one of their stores in a suburb of Chicago. I was minorly troubled that she was employed at the store. But what really flamed my loathing for Abercrombie was when they asked her to model their clothes for their catalogue. She told me about their offer and I responded in the only way an over-protective youth pa ...

Hey, Adam – Have you ever wondered what possesses people to do embarrassing things on camera? I heard a story on the radio this weekend about a guy doing something he swore he’d never do, all because of a Kiss Cam. I think this guy’s apparent self-betrayal is crying for mimetic analysis and I’d love to discuss it with you. Here’s the story that appeared on NPR’s This American Life with Ira Glass: Bill Langw ...

Something positively mimetic happened at a Billy Joel concert at Vanderbilt University last January. After Billy Joel played a concert for the students, he did a little Q & A session. During the session, freshman Michael Pollack raised his hand. When his fellow students pointed at him, Billy Joel followed their finger pointing (in good mimetic fashion!) and called on Michael. Michael nervously said, My ...

Thursday, February 7, 2013 Raven Founder Suzanne Ross shifted from the role of radio producer to guest on Voices of Peace Talk Radio. She joined hosts Adam Ericksen and Bob Koehler, and special guest Don Ross, to discuss her book, The Wicked Truth About Love: The Tangles of Desire. Using research from experts in psychology, anthropology, sociology, theology, brain physiology and philosophy, Suzanne untangle ...

Among the ancient myths that Mary Zimmerman weaves together in her play Metamorphoses, beautifully revived at Lookingglass Theater for autumn 2013, is the story of Eros, the god of love, and Psyche, his wife. Narrated as a dialogue between two unnamed speakers, we are told that Psyche loves Eros without ever having seen him. Eros has forbidden her to look upon him so he comes to her in the dark of night for ...

It was 1:30 am when I heard her voice. My daughter was crying. But I couldn’t get my tired self out of bed. “Just wait a few minutes,” I thought. “If she’s still crying, then get up.” She fell back asleep within two minutes, but I did not. I was wide awake. Apparently, the invisible nurse who lives in my house decided to shoot me up with her invisible intravenous needle filled with invisible Red Bull. I was ...

Many people are turning against Kim Kardashian and her family since her divorce last month from Kris Humphries.  According to the Washington Post, “More than 100,000 people are no longer interested in ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians,’ and would like E! to stop airing the family’s reality show.”  Those 100,000 people have signed an online petition titled “No More Kardashian.”  Cyndy Snider, the petition org ...

“Why are you fighting?” I asked as I ran into their room. The Youngest replied, “He's not sharing!” The Oldest exclaimed, “I had it first!” “Why do you want it?” I asked the Youngest. “Because he has it!” Silly, isn’t it?  They just woke up and already were in a fight.  This time it was over the tiny Batman toy shown above.  I’ll be honest with you – I’ve seen a lot of toys in my 32 years, and this is one o ...

“Here’s Big Brother singing and dancing so I don’t start thinking too much for my own good.”[1] Alan Harper (John Cryer) to his son: “Oh, are you starting that book report already?” Jake Harper (Angus T. Jones): “Just making notes.”Alan: “Good for you! What do you have so far?”Jake: “Lord of the Flies is kind of like Survivor but with kids.”Alan: “That’s an interesting analogy. What’s your favourite part?” ...

Questions: Have you ever been the victim of scapegoating?  What happened? Have you ever scapegoated anyone?  How? An excellent comment came from our youtube site (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rKbz-xJhoE) concerning the unconscious aspect of scapegoating.  Part of the great danger of the human propensity to scapegoat is this unconscious aspect.  Unless our natural tendency to scapegoat is pointed out to u ...