Randal B. Adcock

Implications and Solution to Pandemic Shock

In February 2020 the world population was shocked to find a species-threatening virus was spreading quickly around the world and killing people at random. Suddenly we realised we were living in a science fiction nightmare. People were traumatized and in emotional shock. We locked down schools, businesses and governments. But when people are in shockContinue reading “Implications and Solution to Pandemic Shock”

The Shifting Notion of Morality

I sense that our human notion of morality is shifting, perhaps in profound ways. We used to think of moral behaviour in terms of the ancient codes of don’t do this or that. “If you do that you will be punished.” People were treated as ‘moral agents’ of goodness or evil, angels or demons. Now,Continue reading “The Shifting Notion of Morality”

Coping?

I am not a psychologist but… Different people are affected by the pandemic differently. Its well known that in excessive stress we resort to our areas of strength, yet overall performance drops. With a shift of priorities our weaknesses may freeze up. Many people are changing jobs now while others are not going back toContinue reading “Coping?”

Personal Resilience

I am impressed with the social media displays of personal resilience in the face of our common yet uncommon troubles. I see landscapes that ground us. I see paintings that express us. I see humor that refills us. I see poems that reframe us in our world, and hear music that reminds us of ourContinue reading “Personal Resilience”

Averting Civil Collapse

I often need to frame my discussions in the broad context. We are value generators relentlessly pursuing top return on investment in a layered framework of valued options. There is no value without truth, and no truth without meaning. Meanings are based on placing the foreground against background context. I will continue and try harderContinue reading “Averting Civil Collapse”

Psych Shop

Dear Diary: Historically when we can’t explain a blessing, we call it a miracle and thank our gods. When we can’t explain a tragedy, we call it a curse and blame our demons. When people behave with goodness, we call them saints. No explanation is needed. When they behave badly we call them stupid orContinue reading “Psych Shop”

Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning?

Worst Case Scenario:Critical anchoring ideas may become dislodged from our shared worldviews causing disordered thinking and profound chaos Just toying with some ideas. I am not trying to scare anyone. I merely suggest a level of preparedness for more to come. Maybe there is a solution if we admit the problem.⁠We live within a semanticContinue reading “Beginning of the End or End of the Beginning?”

Making Sense

Dear Diary: Are we over-estimating or under-estimating the chaos of the day’s world? I know I risk losing friends for spilling my truth. Alas, the time has come to reveal. We say we follow the science, yet we usually choose the science that validates our suspicions and assumption. Why? Because we are animals, not divineContinue reading “Making Sense”

The Year to Come

Dear Diary: I clearly remember thinking about 2020 at various points in my life. “What would life be like?” Not only does 2020 play on perfect vision, but for me it signifies another iconic figure — 65. I’ll be turning 65 this coming summer , turning to a new phase in life. Typically one isContinue reading “The Year to Come”

Go Deep

Dear Diary: When the surface is choppy, go deep! Laws of Nature say that ‘energy takes the path of least resistance’. It’s called ‘momentum’. It also applies to all lifeforms. Living organisms make paths, or habits, around the best returns on investment. That’s why we mimic each other. We usually exploit the road more traveledContinue reading “Go Deep”