From experience, I have two pieces of advice regarding lawyers – neither of which you’ll get from AI. Be A Good Client This is a lot more than paying invoices timely. You’ll benefit from developing a productive and respectful relationship with your lawyer. Here’s how: There’s more to being a good client but I’m sure…
Author: Carl Barney
Love and Relationships—Valentine’s Day Reflections
Love is a profound and joyful emotion. However, it is more than an emotion—it is a recognition and appreciation of the value someone or something adds to our lives. Love brings joy, meaning, and fulfillment. When we love deeply, a psychological bond forms that enriches our lives. Love is also action—things we do to nurture…
Am I Capable of Erotic Love?
“Are you capable of erotic love?” Jason Stotts asks in his book, Ethos and Eros. Me? Let me think. What qualities would I need to bring to and for a loving romantic relationship? Can I live up to this and be worthy of a romantic partner? More tomorrow on Valentine’s Day. Carl B. BarneyFebruary 13,…
The Power of Love
Love, in the Objectivist ethics, is a response to values. It is the emotional price paid by one person for the joy they receive from the virtues of another. It’s not a payment for services rendered nor a compensation for disvalues, but a celebration of all that is good in another person and oneself. Love…
Trump’s Playfulness
President Trump’s unpredictability, flexibility, and impulsivity is criticized. But perhaps these are strengths. Perhaps he’s playing; perhaps he is negotiating. Perhaps this is his Art of the Deal. President Trump’s behavior is brilliantly characterized by Joe Klein, a former Time Magazine columnist. He writes: I’ll not fall for the bait. I watched Trump’s press conference….
Falling Asleep
I’ve been working on my sleep. Formerly, I would get four and a half to five and a half hours of sleep per night, and I thought that was healthy. It’s not. I’ve now achieved seven hours of sleep a night on average. I’ve been working on falling asleep and have come up with some…
Strategic Planning
I recently came across an exceptionally clear article detailing Israel’s strategic planning during its confrontation on three fronts: Gaza/Hamas, Lebanon/Hezbollah, and Iran—the so-called “axis of evil.” This analysis is a masterclass in strategy and demonstrates how precise, targeted actions can change the course of history. You can read the full article here: Netanyahu: The Inside…
Power
(Intended for Objectivists) I recently came across a scene from the TV series Yellowstone where there was an amusing exchange between a student and his teacher. You can watch it here: She says power is “the ability to direct or influence another’s behavior or course of events…. That’s power. And you don’t have any.” This…
Warfare – Lawfare – Regfare – Polfare
We know what warfare is. It’s the intense and deliberate attempt to harm, destroy property and kill people. Lawfare is the abuse of the legal system to harm, bankrupt, or destroy opponents. I have added the term: Regfare, which is the abuse of regulations to control, harm, cripple and close down individuals or companies; and…
Thanksgiving Message: Generosity, Appreciation, and Gratitude
I’ve learned some important lessons about generosity and its emotional offspring, gratitude. I’m pleased to announce that my book, The Happiness Experiment, is at the publisher and will be launched next year. While writing the book, I researched and struggled with many philosophical, psychological, and practical issues. I learned a lot. Generosity, appreciation, and gratitude…