Autism, famously fuzzy, seems to defy most attempts at definition, treatment, understanding. It’s often easier to spot the ideas and writing about it that don’t make sense than to find and fully embrace those that do. That’s what makes writers such as Emily Willingham and Steve Silberman and Amy Harmon so invaluable: They show us the…
Monthly Archives: November 2012
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Should Soldiers Who Survive Suicide Attempts Be Court-Martialed?
by David Dobbs •
Should soldiers who survive suicide attempts be court-martialed — tossed from the military in shame? It’s a sticky question that gets stickier on examination. USA Today looks at it through the prism of a case in which a Marine private was court-martialed after being convicted of ‘self-injury’ after he slit his wrists in a barracks…
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The Ruthlessness of Gravity
by David Dobbs •
Years ago, I tried crossing a downhill street plated with glare ice (friction is one of our few weapons against gravity) and could no more walk across that street than I could fly. And for the first time, I understood what gravity was capable of. It doesn’t negotiate, it can’t be avoided, it runs this…
Culture of Science, Uncategorized
The Neanderthal In (and On) Steve Colbert
by David Dobbs •
The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c Chris Stringer www.colbertnation.com Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive We sapiens weren’t always the only Homos. Not long ago we shared it with Neanderthals, Denisovans, even hobbits, it seems, and perhaps others, most of whom were technically humans, which is to…
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Gimme Johann, Gimme Jimmy: Music to Write By
by David Dobbs •
What do writers listen to while they write? Over at NeuroTribes, where the splendid Steve Silberman has gathered Music to Write By: 10 Top Authors Share Their Secrets for Summoning the Muse, we learn that Priscilla Gibbs leans to the Dead and Iron and Wine; David Shenk to Philip Glass; Carl Zimmer to Steely, Joni, and…
Culture of Science, Uncategorized
Psychiatry Set to Medicalize Hissy Fits
by David Dobbs •
Every decade or two, the American Psychiatric Association reworks its Diagnostic Statistical Manual, or DSM, to try to have diagnostic categories reflect the current state of theory and practice. Given enormous evidence that we’re currently overdiagnosing things and medicalizing normal behavior, many had hope that the upcoming DMS-5 — the fifth major revision — would show some restraint. Instead it seems that the DSM-5 may include a new proposed “mood disorder” called “disruptive mood dysregulation disorder,” or DMDD.
Brains and Behavior, Uncategorized
A Week in Madison, Talking Writing & Science
by David Dobbs •
I’m pleased to be going to the land of Deborah Blum, John Hawks, Siri Carpenter, and other illustrious types to spend a week talking with classes and giving public lectures about writing, science, music … and pretty much whatever anyone wants to talk about. If you’re in Madison, love to see you at one of…