Sam Vaknin
Website: http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/
Sam Vaknin ( http://samvak.tripod.com ) is the author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited and After the Rain - How the West Lost the East. He served as a columnist for Central Europe Review, Global Politician, PopMatters, and eBookWeb , and Bellaonline, and as a United Press International (UPI) Senior Business Correspondent. He was the the editor of mental health and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101.
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Symbol and Essence
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-05-07 (25 views)
Aborigines in Australia believe that the entire universe is regenerated whenever they chant their songlines (Yiri). This is reminiscent of the Copenhagen interpretation of Quantum Mechanics, which postulates that particles - and, really, the entire world - are the outcomes of choices made by observers (the "collapse of the wave ... Read more (1483 words)
Why is Mathematics so Successful?
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-05-07 (55 views)
In earlier epochs, people used mythological and religious narratives to encode all knowledge, even of a scientific and technological character. Words and sentences are still widely deployed in many branches of the Humanities, the encroachment of mathematical modeling and statistics notwithstanding. Yet, mathematics reigns supreme and unchallenged in the natural ... Read more (1634 words)
Misuse of the Concept of "Erga Omnes" in the Greek-Macedonian Name Dispute
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-05-07 (37 views)
The "name issue" involves a protracted dispute over the last 18 years between two Balkan polities over Macedonia's right to use its constitutional name, "The Republic of Macedonia". The Greeks claim that Macedonia is a region in Greece and that, therefore, the country Macedonia has no right to monopolize the ... Read more (1437 words)
Seven Concepts in Derivatives
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (38 views)
The implosion of the markets in some complex derivatives in 2007-9 drew attention to this obscure corner of the financial realm. Derivatives are nothing new. They consist of the transfer of risk to third parties and the creation of a strong correlation or linkage between the prices of one or ... Read more (947 words)
Pears Cyclopedia: The World in Your Hand
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (29 views)
"Affection" and "attachment" are terms rarely used in a review of a reference title - but, they are the ones that come to my mind as I contemplate the new (2009-2010) edition of Pears Cyclopedia, one of many editions I possess. I confess to my addiction proudly: control freak that ... Read more (467 words)
Positioning the Encyclopedia Britannica
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (22 views)
In the age of the Wikipedia, nearly-accurate information is ubiquitous. Granted, the data are riddled with errors and do not amount to structured knowledge. Still, Wikipedia-like online efforts are more than adequate for the needs of the vast majority of users. When in search of fault-free, in-depth, and articulate wisdom, ... Read more (583 words)
Transformations of Aggression
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (56 views)
Prone to magical thinking, the narcissist is deeply convinced of the transcendental meaning of his life. He fervently believes in his own uniqueness and "mission". He constantly searches for clues regarding the hidden - though inevitable - meaning of his personal life. The narcissist is forever a "public persona", even ... Read more (695 words)
Swine Flu as a Conspiracy - Part I
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (32 views)
The Internet has rendered global gossip that in previous epochs would have remained local. It also allowed rumour-mongers to leverage traditional and trusted means of communication - texts and images - to lend credence to the most outlandish claims. Some bloggers and posters have not flinched from doctoring photos and ... Read more (1283 words)
Swine Flu as a Conspiracy - Part II
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-29 (32 views)
The monthly "Fortean Times" is the leading brand in "strange phenomena and experiences, curiosities, prodigies and portents". It is widely available on both sides of the Atlantic. In its 29 years of existence it has covered the bizarre, the macabre, and the ominous with panache and open-mindedness.It is named after ... Read more (1392 words)
Paradigm-Shifting vs. Paradigm-sustaining Science - Part II
Submitted by Sam Vaknin on 2010-04-27 (28 views)
In other contexts, physicists have been able to take words from ordinary language and use them as technical terms with no great harm done. Take for example the 'strangeness', 'charm', and 'beauty' of elementary particle physics. No one is taken in by this 'baby talk'... Would that it were so ... Read more (2057 words)