Geoff W. Sutton Blog

Are You Happy Yet?  UP and DOWN metaphors It’s common knowledge that news sources thrive on negative news. Afterall, we are hardwired to respond to threats as a matter of survival. Unfortunately, a torrent of bad news can produce sadness or even depression. Depression as a word fits the up-down metaphor as if our brains had a vertical structure for moods where up is good and down is bad. In banter with my cousin Stan (RIP) his response to “how are ya” was “still above ground.” On leaving, I’d say “I’m going underground” as he delivered me to my London tube station. Religious folks use up and down metaphors for heaven and hell, which I always thought was funny for those DOWN under (Aussies). When things are DOWN, we often characterize them as LOWER, CUT, NOT WORKING, BROKEN, AT THE BOTTOM, and ON THE GROUND. When people in important positions leave, they STEPDOWN. And naysayers warn the arrogant that they should watch out for a FALL. If you consume news, check out the DOWNPOUR in re...

George Washington Out of Context, 2025 Geoffrey Sutton and Artspace.ai How Do You Interpret the News? How Do We Put Today's News in Context? When asked what something means, we usually respond based on our context, which involves an interaction between ourselves, other people, and our location. By location I mean our geographic place and our historical timeframe. For example, the words ‘Civil War’ evoke different associations if heard in England or the USA, or through media from different nations. These two events occurred some 200 years apart. There is a connection. President George Washington’s great-grandfather John Washington was a royalist who supported King Charles I against Parliament. Thus, context is not just about spatial location but also time. President Washington and the Continental Congress likely considered the issues of the Civil War (the English one). When significant changes occur in a nation, as reported in the news today, we try to put them into context. Unfortu...

Reproduction IVF 2025 Who Has the Right to Control Reproduction? A New Order Stimulates Ethical Discussions The expensive IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedure made news as the president issued an order that could increase the availability and lower the cost. Some have expressed concern over the declining birthrates in the US. As lawmakers and courts make decisions about human reproduction, the question remains: Who controls women’s bodies? https://amzn.to/3XG5Kmr https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/trump-ivf-order-birth-rate-costs ***** Not all of the politicians are on board with IVF.  Why would anyone oppose the procedure that gives hope to so many? It is well-known that substantial numbers of evangelical Christians supported the president in his campaign during the last election (Pew 2024) and vote for  Republican party politicians but, in some Conservative Christian worldviews, human life begins when a human egg is fertilized. Currently, the IVF procedure creates more ferti...

Dr Patient Consult 2025 by Geoffrey Sutton & Artspace  Yesterday, I spoke with my physician about a procedure, which required his referral to a specialist. He mentioned some pros and cons but said he only had about five patients who had undergone the procedure. Then, he asked if I knew anyone who had had it done. I didn't, and he thought that was unfortunate. I left with the impression he wasn't enthusiastic about the referral. I was just seeking the opinion of the expert. However, my doctor did tell me the procedure was costly, which made me think I might not get an objective analysis from the specialist. Why would a doctor ask if I had a friend who had the procedure? Since his sample of five patients did not fare well, he was reluctant to give a blanket referral. I understand that; however, because I am somewhat familiar with research methods and statistics, I prefer information from a large sample with reliable data. What can we learn from research? It turns out, a frien...

Today is a day of mourning and the funeral service of former US President, Jimmy Carter. In today's post, I consider the psychology of funerals. Funerals hold significant psychological value for individuals and communities, serving as both a ritual of closure and a means of collective support. Here are some key aspects of their value: Emotional Closure : Funerals provide a structured way for individuals to say their final goodbyes, helping them to begin the process of accepting the reality of loss and moving through the stages of grief. Social Support: Gathering family and friends creates a support network, reminding mourners they are not alone in their sorrow. This collective mourning can foster a sense of connection and shared experience. Ritual and Tradition : Rituals offer comfort through their predictability and familiarity. Participating in time-honored customs can provide a sense of continuity and stability during a tumultuous time. Expression of Feelings : Funerals offer a ...

  Mispers is British slang for missing persons. People of any age can have memories of missing persons during the holidays when we’d expect them to be present. Of course, we know they died. And most of us, but sadly not all of us, know where their mortal remains are located.  We especially recall those who recently died or died close to Christmas. For example, we flew home to London England when my gran died one December or as an adult, I flew back to be with my mum when dad died just 5 days before Christmas. It doesn’t matter exactly when they died, the loss of people we loved enough that they live on in our memories can bring a smile, a tear, a longing, and many other feelings. So, for many at holiday gatherings, there will be unseen friends and family very much alive in memories.  Some people will see what others cannot see. Merry Christmas! Ad BUY ON AMAZON Geoffrey W. Sutton, PhD  is Emeritus Professor of Psychology. He retired from a clinical practice and was ...