Poker Psychology: A Popular Game’s View on Success

Poker is a microcosm of all we admire and disdain about capitalism and democracy.  It can be rough-hewn or polished, warm or cold, charitable and caring, or hard and impersonal, fickle and elusive, but ultimately it is fair, and right, and just.
- Lou Krieger

Poker is game that exemplifies a large range of ideas in western culture, and it’s great fun to play too. I’m not a huge player of poker, but I’ve read a book or two and played “just one hand” maybe once too many times. I’m certainly not too good at the game though, and I hope to explain a little about why that may be.

Self-Actualization: What is it and why does it matter?

Self Actualization is the intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately, of what the organism is.
- Abraham Maslow

Most psychology is focused around the negative aspects of the human mind. The curing of those that become disturbed in the mind and destructive to the outer world are the focus of what most people view as the purpose of psychology. However, that is not at all the case, much of psychology is devoted to studying the average person, and there is even a small section of psychology exploring those individuals who have exceeded the expectations of a normal, healthy mind. Those people are sometimes called “self-actualized” or “enlightened”.

Passion: What’s the point of going through life?

This is my first “Theory” post. For these, I’m just gonna put out my opinion on a subject, my “theory” if you will, and see what people think. Here’s my take on Passion and what drives me in life. I should start by mentioning I am an Atheist, and therefore get asked a lot: “What do you live for? What’s the point of life?”.