I Am Become Barbie: The Social Psychology of Barbenheimer
Emily Courtney | August 4, 2023
On July 21st, 2023, the world witnessed Barbenheimer: an internet meme built on dualistic release of seemingly opposite films: Barbie and Oppenheimer.
Life-Enhancing Anxiety: Key to a Sane World by Kirk J. Schneider
Daniel Liechty | April 13, 2023
Schneider’s own take on human psychology is an emphasis on ‘awe’ as a fundamental pathway toward building a sound, sane mind and a strong sense of spiritual connection to that which transcends the individual.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Marcus Holmes | January 26, 2023
Even those who have abandoned religion still deny death—which is to say they deny the brutal conditions and pointlessness that all biology is heir to—by finding refuge in some other mode of denial, what Becker called a “hero project”.
Death on the Small Screen: The Psychology of Viewing Violent Television by Jonathan F. Bassett
Daniel Liechty | January 26, 2023
With this book Bassett has made a very valuable contribution to both media studies and to Becker/TMT literature. For any of us with Becker/TMT interests, this book is a ‘good read’ and one to keep handy on the shelf.
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Madeline Duarte | August 8, 2022
While the concept of choice seems attractive, psychologists have hypothesized this abundance of choice may have adverse consequences…
Death Penalty Bullshit: Fifteen Absurd Claims of Death Penalty Supporters, by Phillip Hansten
Daniel Liechty | July 22, 2022
This is a very useful and engagingly written book, addressing a topic of longstanding concern in our society.
Mortal Gods: Ernest Becker and Fundamental Theology by Sally A. Kenel
Thomas Bergen | August 14, 2021
Thomas Bergen, instructor at Pacific Life Bible College in BC and PhD student at the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, reviews Kenel’s book on Becker and Theology.
Robert Kramer’s The Birth of Relationship Therapy: Carl Rogers Meets Otto Rank
Daniel Liechty | July 21, 2021
Daniel Liechty reviews the new book by Robert Kramer.
Flirting with Death: Psychoanalysts Consider Mortality
Lyla Rothschild | May 20, 2020
A collection of essays by psychoanalysts reviewed by Lyla Rothschild.
The Lobster‘s Romantic Solution
Christa Masson | May 20, 2020
A Beckerian analysis of The Lobster by Christa Masson.
Stephen James’ American Stew
Daniel Liechty | May 20, 2020
Dan Liechty reviews this Beckerian critique of American Culture.
Jeff Zinn’s The Existential Actor
Camila and Jeff Greenberg | May 18, 2020
Actor and theater director Jeff Zinn’s The Existential Actor is a stimulating and informative read. It is very fluid, the pages fly by, and in …
Kirk Schneider’s The Polarized Mind
Daniel Liechty | May 17, 2020
Of recent interest is the new book by Kirk J. Schneider, The Polarized Mind: Why It’s Killing Us and What We Can Do About It …
Razinsky’s Freud, Psychoanalysis, and Death
Jerry Piven, PhD | May 16, 2020
Freud, Psychoanalysis, and Death is in many ways a brilliant, provocative, perspicacious venture. Liran Razinsky endeavors to explore: 1) Freud’s complex and contradictory thoughts on …
John Rector’s The Objectification Spectrum
Daniel Liechty | May 15, 2020
Of recent interest is the new book by John M. Rector, The Objectification Spectrum: Understanding and Transcending Our Diminishment and Dehumanization of Others (Oxford University …
Varki and Brower’s Denial
Chad Garcia | May 14, 2020
Denial: Self-Deception, False Beliefs, and the Origins of the Human Mind, by Ajit Varki and the late Danny Brower, is an important book about the …
The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life
Michael Baumgardner | June 15, 2015
Of Recent Interest is the new book The Worm at the Core: On the Role of Death in Life, by Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg and Tom Pyszczynski…
Fifty Shades of Grey
Kirby Farrell | July 30, 2014
You might not think of being nude, tied up, and tingling as a disguise. But that’s the reality behind E. L. James’s best-selling soft-porn romance Fifty Shades of Grey…