Freshly swept
The newest essayA Lens Inspired By Detection Theory
Suppose you are told to construct an algorithm that will automatically detect missiles flying over the Pacific Ocean so that a missile defense system can…
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Coined here
four names for things that had none
No. 01 · 2009Perception Imposition
nounImmediately after a concert I gave a few years ago, a pianist introduced himself and said he’d be interested in being presented at the same venue in…
7 min · 1 comment →
No. 02 · 2009Illusory Gain or Loss
nounOne of the hottest topics that piano teachers talk about when they get together is make-up lesson policy. The classic conflict arises when a student insists…
4 min · 6 comments →
No. 03 · 2009Environmental Normalization
nounIn Fall 2004, I taught two sections of Math 120 at University of Nevada, Reno. Before classes began, I spent many hours trying to come…
8 min · 1 comment →
No. 04 · 2011Consequence Displacement
nounIt has been a while since I coined any new psychology terms. Too long. I have another one I’ve been dying to share, because it…
15 min · 3 comments →
A series in three parts
PhilosophyUtilitarianism and Deontology
- 1
The Subjective LineWould you kill one person to save five people from dying? Studies (both theoretical and simulated) have shown that around 90% of people would indeed…2013 - 2
Hollywood & Dexter“Do what is right, though the world may perish.” – Kant Any movie that begins with this hard-core deontological quote fading in and out of…2013 - 3
The Wrongness-to-Goodness RatioPart 1 of this series shows that the only difference between those who call themselves deontologists and those who call themselves utilitarians is a subjective…2020
The whole pile
10 essays
Religion · 2026A Lens Inspired By Detection TheorySuppose you are told to construct an algorithm that will automatically detect missiles flying over the Pacific Ocean so that a missile defense system can…
13 min- Philosophy · 2020Utilitarianism and Deontology Part 3: The Wrongness-to-Goodness Ratio
Part 1 of this series shows that the only difference between those who call themselves deontologists and those who call themselves utilitarians is a subjective…
4 min - Philosophy · 2013Utilitarianism and Deontology Part 2: Hollywood & Dexter
“Do what is right, though the world may perish.” – Kant Any movie that begins with this hard-core deontological quote fading in and out of…
17 min - Philosophy · 2013Utilitarianism and Deontology Part 1: The Subjective Line
Would you kill one person to save five people from dying? Studies (both theoretical and simulated) have shown that around 90% of people would indeed…
7 min 
Education · 2011Public School System Changes Needed for the Benefit of StudentsThere are parts of our public school system that need to change. My experience in high school gave me as much perspective on this as…
13 min · 1 comment- Psychology · 2011Consequence Displacement
It has been a while since I coined any new psychology terms. Too long. I have another one I’ve been dying to share, because it…
15 min · 3 comments 
Psychology · 2010Keep Your Goals To YourselfContrary to popular belief, repeated studies have shown that sharing a goal with others makes your goal less likely to come true. Telling someone about your…
8 min · 2 comments- Psychology · 2009Environmental Normalization
In Fall 2004, I taught two sections of Math 120 at University of Nevada, Reno. Before classes began, I spent many hours trying to come…
8 min · 1 comment - Psychology · 2009Illusory Gain or Loss
One of the hottest topics that piano teachers talk about when they get together is make-up lesson policy. The classic conflict arises when a student insists…
4 min · 6 comments - Psychology · 2009Perception Imposition
Immediately after a concert I gave a few years ago, a pianist introduced himself and said he’d be interested in being presented at the same venue in…
7 min · 1 comment
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