Category Archives: Politics
Why Hierarchy Is the Problem
Hierarchy creates the separation that promotes contempt, which is the breeding ground of cruelty. From an Interpersonal Neurobiology perspective, hierarchy disrupts the natural processes of connection, safety, and co-regulation that support human well-being. In relationships or systems where hierarchy dominates, … Continue reading
Posted in IPNB of Hierarchy
Tagged Domination, harm, hierarchy, power, reciprocity, separation
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The Patriarch’s Ledger: A Tale of Power and Estrangement
Several years ago, my brother told me that he intended to leave his multi-million dollar estate to my sister, me, and our female children, because he understood that women are at a disadvantage in this culture. It struck me as … Continue reading
Posted in Family, IPNB of Hierarchy
Tagged alienation, brother, Domination, estate, family, interpersonal neurobiology, IPNB, money, no contact, patriarchy
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Hidden in Plain Sight: Predators, Power, and the Systems That Shelter Them
I didn’t set out to study the neurobiology of predators. I got there by surviving them. My interest in this work comes from a long history of being harmed by people in power, capped by what is known as “The … Continue reading
The President Parenting Our Nation
Our nervous systems respond to leaders the same way we react to people who hold power in our lives, especially caregivers when we were young. That’s because our bodies and brains develop in the context of relationships. Safety, connection, and … Continue reading
Posted in IPNB of Hierarchy
Tagged alloparenting, America, Donald Trump, hierarchy, parenting, President, Trump, Trump Administration, USA
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The Growing List of the World’s Worst Authoritarians in Modern History
Here’s a list of some of the worst authoritarians in modern history, in rough chronological order, emphasizing the scope of their harm, how they used power, and how they manipulated institutions or populations: Benito Mussolini (Italy, 1922–1943) Promised national strength, … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged authoritaianism, dictatorshipTrump, Donald Trump, fascism, Hitler, Kim Dynasty, Mao, Mussolini, Pinochet, Pol Pot, Putin, Quadaffi, Stalin
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From Tyranny to Corporate Rule: Reclaiming “We, the People”
On this Fourth of July, we’re not only celebrating independence. We’re mourning how much of it we’ve lost. The founders of this country declared their refusal to live under tyranny. They rejected inherited power, royal decrees, and governments that served … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged 4th of July, America, Community, connection, Empathy, Independence Day, kings, safety, tyranny
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The True Cost of a Billionaire Wedding
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s wedding celebrations in Venice are estimated to cost $46,000,000 to $56,000,000. This includes the multi-day event, hosting celebrity guests, and associated expenses. The couple and their guests are staying at the Aman Venice hotel, where … Continue reading
Posted in IPNB of Hierarchy, The Billionaire Class
Tagged Amazon, Bezos, Billionaire, billionaires, fairness, Inequality, instability, Jeff Bezos, Marriage, Venice, wedding
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A Military Parade as a Mirror: IPNB Reflections on the Spectacle of Control
This past weekend’s military parade wasn’t just a public display of tanks and troops, but a psychological spectacle meant to reinforce a particular kind of power. From an Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) perspective, it serves as a stark case study in … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
Tagged authoritaianism, authority, Interpersonal Neurobiolgy, IPNB, military, military parade, No Kings Day, parade, protest, Trump, Washington DC
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Signs of Bad Leadership Abound
Bad leadership isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it’s subtle, corrosive, and slow-burning. But the damage it causes to morale, relationships, and long-term outcomes is profound. When leadership goes wrong in politics, organizations, or communities, certain patterns emerge. One of … Continue reading
The Neurobiology of No Kings Day
No Kings Day protests are fundamentally about reclaiming agency, restoring dignity, and strengthening collective regulation in the face of perceived threat, domination, or injustice. When people gather to protest something they believe undermines shared values like democracy, accountability, or basic … Continue reading