Beyond the Told

by Dr. David M Robertson

Insights of Division from a Gallup Survey

This article may end up a little “preachy,” but I feel compelled (or provoked) to speak up. A recent Gallup survey I read seemingly demonstrated a critical trend in U.S. political and ideological dynamics: the deep polarization between the major parties. While much attention focuses on the ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans, the data […]

Supplements: More Complex Than Many Realize

Dietary supplements sometimes get dismissed as ineffective or “worthless,” but this blanket skepticism overlooks extremely important evidence and context. While it’s true that some supplements are overhyped or misused, it is also true that many supplements have proven to have significant benefits in the right circumstances. In either clinical practice or public health, supplements ranging […]

The Construction and Destruction of Culture

The question, “If everyone else was doing it, would you?” has long been used to challenge conformity. Yet, the reality is more sobering. In many situations—whether in organizations, schools, communities, or even entire nations—the answer is, in fact, probably. People often do what the group does, not because it is correct or rational, but because […]

Reflexive Control and Perception Warfare

As promised in my article on Active Measures, I am writing you an article about Reflexive Control. This is a very important topic that revolves around security and cognitive behavior manipulation. This combination makes it exceptionally difficult to get great information because the overlap is sometimes hard to navigate. Hence, this is why I think […]

The History and Status of Active Measures

Throughout history, nations have employed various strategies to manipulate perceptions, sow discord, and shape the ideological landscape of adversaries. The United States is not immune. This is evidenced by the immense division we have experienced in recent years. Of course, the word “psyop” has been of particular interest to Americans, with the volume of monthly […]

Vindication of An American Warning

In 2009, I published An American Warning, a poorly written book (I wasn’t the best writer back then—or now) that outlined a forecast of emerging global threats and the dangers they pose to Americans. This was followed up with another book in 2014, Reloaded: An American Warning, which was a stronger warning about how rapidly […]

The Obesity Epidemic Shouldn’t Shock Anyone

The global rise in obesity is a crisis decades in the making, driven by systemic failures in public health policy, the food industry, and medical education. It should come as no shock that it will get worse. According to a recent analysis in the Lancet, more than half of adults and a third of children […]

Historical Models of Civilizational Rise and Fall

Throughout history, scholars have attempted to decipher the patterns governing the rise and fall of civilizations. From the cyclical theories of Polybius and Ibn Khaldun to the economic perspectives of Kondratiev and the sociopolitical analyses of Tainter and Turchin, a recurring theme emerges: civilizations ascend through struggle, peak in stability, and decline through complacency or […]

The Contrastive Inquiry Tool: A Resource for Critical Thinking

The Contrastive Inquiry Tool is a tool that compliments the Contrastive Inquiry Method. This tool is a simple yet powerful resource designed to enhance critical thinking and promote a more nuanced understanding of ideas and arguments. By analyzing a statement and generating a contrasting perspective, the tool helps users identify alternative viewpoints and encourage deeper […]

A Warning on the Weaponization of Language

A reader recently emailed me with an insightful question: “Why does the Right always seem to be on the defensive? Also, why are conservatives, libertarians, and other ideological dissenters constantly forced to justify themselves against accusations rather than setting the terms of debate?” That’s a sharp observation, and while the answer isn’t simple, it definitely […]