The term “gaslighting” comes from Patrick Hamilton’s work Gas Light (1938), a play that was adapted into two movies in 1940 and 1944. The basic plot of the play and movies deals with a husband who systematically manipulates and psychologically abuses his wife by trying to convince her she is insane. He does this by changing small elements of their environment (such as the dimming the representative gas lights of the house) and then insisting she’s mistaken or misremembering details
While comics books, television shows about comic books, and movies about comics books have maintained a constant following for the past eighty years, it is safe to say that over the past decade there has been a resurgence of media shaped around the characters appearing on comic book pages. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment when love for superheroes went mainstream (as in, considered acceptable for social consumption outside of young children and niche groups of teens and adults)
“Every monster is in this way a double narrative, two living stories: one that describes how the monster came to be and another, its testimony, detailing what cultural use the monster serves.” -Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, Monster Theory In Jeffrey Jerome Cohen’s article Monster Culture (Seven Theses), he speaks on literature that engages with Monsters as a way of examining cultural identities that engender difference from the norm. From Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, he traces a literary tradition of
Currently, many residents of Chicago and beyond are currently afflicted by SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is a type of depression that many people experience during the changing of the seasons, most frequently during the turnover from fall into winter. Symptoms include: Feeling depressed most days of the week A feeling of worthlessness or hopelessness Low energy Low interest in activities once enjoyed Trouble
The transition from high school to college is inherently destabilizing. For many people, college is the first time they spend a significant amount of time outside their childhood homes. Likewise, it is the first time that many teenagers experience their first taste of adulthood. This independence can be thrilling and profound, offering young adults full agency over themselves. Such independence can also be overwhelming, crippling even, because greater amounts of independence correspond with an increasing amount of personal responsibility. College
As far as pejorative barbs are concerned, the term “bleeding heart” is not particularly insulting. In fact many people who work within activist and social justice circles – liberal or conservative – wear such a distinction like a badge of pride. However, the implication of the term remains. A “bleeding heart” activist or politician is someone regarded as too softhearted to work pragmatically within civic affairs, because they are perceived as too emotional to
October 29, 2013
Racism in America has gone from blatant, obvious expression to nuanced, subtle behaviors. It is an example of how two seemingly conflictual feelings can coexist both in an individual and in society at large. In the summer of 1955, Emmett Till walked into a grocery store to buy gum. In 2012, Trayvon Martin walked into a grocery store to buy Skittles and an iced tea. Both were brutally shot to death at close range. Racism (and profiling) are at work in
January 8, 2013
‘Repetition Compulsion’ is one of the most powerful dynamics in human life. We are all destined to repeat our original relationships, (ie. parents) in the relationships of our adult lives. This is most apparent in close/intimate relationships. One can be determined not to repeat, ie. have it be different, but nevertheless the repetition is destined. To interfere with this takes remembering, reliving and re-solving. This cannot be done in solitude. It must be done in a neutral/therapeutic relationship. The shared goal is to
September 30, 2012
There has been a tragedy in Evanston. We have lost a 14-year-old young man in a senseless killing. More information: “Charges in slaying of boy, 14: ‘Hate, disgust, sadness'” via Chicago Tribune “Man held in Evanston teen’s death was seeking revenge, prosecutors say” via Chicago Tribune Whenever there is a loss in the community it feels like a loss of a family member. We identify with our communities in such a way that we vicariously experience tragedy. Those of us
September 2, 2012
Traumatic events bring up all past traumatic events. The article suggests that behavioral therapy aimed at desensitization is optimal. This is not correct. The most effective form of treatment for trauma is the activation of mourning. It is only in the guided mourning process that the current event and the PAST events that have emerged alongside of it can be resolved. Mourning cannot be done alone but needs to be facilitated in a safe, secure, neutral environment with a neutral,