In a Time of Uncertainty
Magical thinking is the quiet engine behind many of our stories, hopes, and fears, especially when life feels uncertain or out of control. This series looks at how those comforting beliefs shape our politics, our spirituality, and our everyday choices—for better and for worse. By examining where magical thinking helps us and where it misleads us, we can learn to face reality with clearer eyes and a steadier kind of hope.
Creating Alternate Realities
An introduction to our enduring human tendency toward “magical thinking” — the stories and comfort beliefs we cling to when we’re faced with uncertainty, fear, and the unknown.
Power, Perception, and the Manipulation of Truth
It’s a look at the darker side of magical thinking, focusing on how the intoxication of power can distort perception and erode moral judgment.
Power, Perception, and the Seduction of Certainty
“Holy language” can be used to cloak political ambition in moral or divine authority, turning policy debates into theological battles.
Power, Fear, and the Seduction of Illusion
Comfort beliefs arise from a deeply human need to make sense of uncertainty and suffering.
The Cost of Inventing Illusions
Magical thinking shapes human belief, particularly in the face of mortality, uncertainty, and loss of control.
How Belief, Identity, and Information Shape What We See
Magical thinking persists in modern life, especially when facing uncertainty, vulnerability, or lack of control.
Expectation, Perception, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Our expectations shape our view of reality and can lead to disappointment when the world doesn’t align with them.
When Belief Outruns Reality
Magical thinking emerges when belief overrides evidence and interpretation replaces reality.
Magical Thinking and the Refusal of Limits
Magical thinking shapes personal perception and collective culture, especially in an age saturated with information and digital influence.