“Peerfectionism”

Very interesting article from the Columbia Spectator on what the author calls “peerfectionism.” It covers a lot of ground, and I don’t agree with it all, but the neologism is quite clever and really gets at the ultracompetitiveness that is fundamental to perfectionism, and ubiquitous in academia. Worth checking out, especially if you’re a student.

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There’s No Reason Seniors Can’t Qualify as Organ Donors

A good article questioning the current medical bias against accepting donors beyond age 65. I understand that health, generally, declines with age, and that transplant doctors tend to be super careful about whom they use as donors. As my transplant doctor said, donating is one of the few medical procedures that violates the Hippocratic Oath…

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To John Cole: In Defense of the Brontes

Woke up with a burning desire to respond to John Cole’s assault on the Bronte sisters: Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre was a thorough attack on the British class system, not to mention sexism. The bestselling book was decried by conservatives who considered it a major force promoting Chartism (universal male suffrage), among other evils. Emily…

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Hubris in Action

This New York Times article about how a former Apple exec crashed and burned as the CEO of J.C. Penney is fascinating. Clearly his enemies are dishing, but he really gave them a lot to dish about. He does come across as incredibly arrogant: “Mr. Johnson liked to tell employees that there were two kinds…

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What to Do if You’re Procrastinating on Your Taxes (Or Another Crucial Deadline)

Like money, time can be used for either investments or expenses. As you probably know, investments are activities that bring a return. The major time investments include: planning and management, relationships, self-care, health and fitness, education, a spiritual or meditative practice, community work, and what I call “replenishing recreation” (e.g., socializing or a passionate hobby).…

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