Beyond the Told

by Dr. David M Robertson

Tag: education

Paradoxical Behaviors and Uninformed Advocacy

‘Paradoxical Behaviors and Uninformed Advocacy‘ seems like a weird title, but the truth is that human behavior is often contradictory. We find ourselves endorsing causes, policies, or actions that, upon closer inspection, don’t align with our true beliefs or best interests. This phenomenon isn’t just a quirk of human nature—it’s deeply rooted in cognitive processes […]

The Coming Battle for Core Values

What are your core values? Are you willing to defend them? Are you willing to change them if someone you trusted asked you to? Are you willing to compromise them for the sake of convenience or to avoid a fight? Let’s find out. If you have followed my work, you probably know that the ascent […]

The Dangers of Learned Helplessness

Learned helplessness is a condition in which an individual feels powerless to change or control their situation, even when opportunities for change are available. This phenomenon was first identified by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven Maier in the late 1960s during experiments with dogs. The dogs were subjected to electric shocks from which they couldn’t […]

Leadership Lessons from the Middle East

In leadership, the ability to make informed decisions is crucial, as the repercussions of those decisions can ripple across generations. The ongoing challenges in the Middle East are a great example of what happens when leaders act without fully understanding the complexities of the situations they face. I would argue that the turmoil in this […]

Conservatives in Academia: Overcoming Irony

It seems tremendously silly to criticize the scarcity of conservatives in academia while simultaneously dissuading conservatives from pursuing the education necessary to attain such positions. What other outcome can you realistically expect? Of course, this paradoxical stance has significant implications for the academic landscape and the broader societal discourse. Conservatives would be wise to reconsider […]

A Forecast of Collapse Based on History

There is an ‘Echo of Empires’ that we should be mindful of. Indeed, history repeats, providing essential insights into our present and future. I’ll just be blunt and say that the United States is not immune from the cycles of history, nor the political manipulations that ensure their continuation. Sure, we could compare the United […]

Having a ‘Purpose’ May Save Your Brain

“All things with purpose, for purpose, on purpose.” This is something I often share with my students because it emphasizes the importance of purpose in both life and leadership. However, this idea isn’t just motivational or something cool to say—it’s backed by science. Research now shows that having a sense of purpose can actually benefit […]

Navigating Bias in the Modern World

Bias in modern education (and the world) is a very real thing. Finding ‘truth’ when so many are trying to hide it can be difficult. This is to say that accessing unbiased and balanced knowledge has become a significant challenge these days. The rise of biased algorithms, agenda-driven curricula, and information overload make it increasingly […]

The Value of Contrasting Information

Information is both abundant and easily accessible. Hence, the concept of “thinking for yourself” has gained new importance. Yet, at the same time, this idea is often misunderstood. Many people equate thinking independently with rejecting or avoiding information that doesn’t align with their existing beliefs. However, I would argue that true independent thinking requires engaging […]

The Persistence of Outdated Medical Knowledge

The medical field is one of constant evolution, where new discoveries and innovations found by researchers continually reshape our understanding of health and disease. However, despite the rapid advancements in knowledge, outdated medical knowledge and inaccurate information typically persist within medical education and practice for many years. Perhaps this is evidenced by things like the […]