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Advice For President Obama

"Don't flinch, don't foul, and hit the line hard." We're counting on you!

Added by Gary Freedman on September 9, 2009 at 10:43am — 2 Comments

The Perils of Groupthink for Creative, Independent-Minded People

Groupthink is a type of thought exhibited by group members who try to minimize conflict and reach consensus without critically testing, analyzing, and evaluating ideas. Individual creativity, uniqueness, and independent thinking are lost in the pursuit of group cohesiveness, as are the advantages of reasonable balance in choice and thought that might normally be obtained by making decisions as a group. During groupthink, members of the group avoid promoting viewpoints outside the comfort zone… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 9, 2009 at 9:13am — 3 Comments

The President of the United States Speaks to Students

On November 22, 1902, President Theodore Roosevelt and several members of his cabinet traveled to Philadelphia for the dedication of the newly-constructed Central High School of Philadelphia. The Central High School of Philadelphia had formally opened on October 26, 1838, with a first class of sixty-three students. At the time of its dedication, in 1838, Central was only the second public high school in the country and was open only to male students. In 1902 President Roosevelt spoke first in… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 9, 2009 at 9:00am — 4 Comments

Why Didn't I Get Better Grades in School?

One of my former psychiatrists, Stanley R. Palombo, MD, once asked me why I didn't get better grades in school. That was back in the year 1990, while I worked at Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, a law firm in DC.



I can now answer Dr. Palombo's question, based on the scientific literature. I came from the type of family that promoted creativity, but one that did not promote academic achievement.



Findings in studies of parenting, education, and training have generally… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 8, 2009 at 1:30pm — 1 Comment

The Uncanny Lure of the Phallic Narcissist

In November 1988, a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I went to lunch with two friends, Daniel Cutler and Craig Dye at the Cafe Mozart in downtown DC. Craig said to me: "Gary, you're always welcome to drop by my place. I'm always home. You don't even have to call first. Just stop over."



In August 1989 I attended a firm happy hour at a DC watering hole, Stetson's, in the Adams-Morgan neighborhood. Jesse Raben approached me and offered his congratulations on my being hired as a permanent… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 8, 2009 at 12:17pm — No Comments

Whatever Happened to Tracy Middendorf's Husband? -- Continued

I once went to dinner with Jesse Raben and Tracy Middendorf's husband, Franz. After dinner we walked back to Jesse Raben's apartment on New Hampshire Avenue. Franz said: "Where did you get that belt?" I said: "At Hecht's." Franz said: "That's a cool belt." I said: "Hecht's is a cool store." Franz smiled.



Jesse said: "I'd invite you up to the apartment, but it's late." I said: "We're friends now, right, Jesse?" Jesse Raben said: "Always, Gar, always."



I recall the line at… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 8, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Chemistry Lab

On the afternoon of Friday September 5, 1969 -- forty years ago -- I had my first chemistry lab in Mrs. Fisher's chemistry class. I wonder if Michael Kaliner remembers that? Mr. Kaliner was a truly decent young man.



I wonder if this is the same Michael Kaliner?



Mr. Kaliner, who was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1978, is a partner with the Law Firm of Jackson, Cook, Caracappa & Bloom in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. He concentrates his practice in the area of… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 6, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Diagnosing The English Patient: Schizoid Fantasies of Being Skinless and of Being Buried Alive.

The following text is excerpted from a paper written by Norman Doidge, MD: "Diagnosing The English Patient: Schizoid Fantasies of Being Skinless and of Being Buried Alive."



I here use the diagnosis of schizoid as it was first used by British Object Relations theorists, called schizoid because of 'schisms' in the personality. Because the disorder involves an often skilled role play at ordinary social relations, clinicians often misdiagnose these patients as obsessional or higher level… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 5, 2009 at 10:30am — 3 Comments

Norman Doidge, MD

Norman Doidge, M.D., is a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, researcher, and New York Times bestselling author. He is on the Research Faculty at the Columbia University Center for Psychoanalytic Training and Research, in New York, and the University of Toronto Department of Psychiatry. He has been described by Oliver Sacks, as an “eminent psychiatrist and researcher,” and has presented his research at the White House, in Washington. He uses his background as a psychoanalyst and researcher in the… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 5, 2009 at 10:17am — No Comments

Whatever Happened to Tracy Middendorf's Husband? -- Continued

I once went to dinner with Jesse Raben and Tracy Middendorf's husband, Franz. I asked Franz: "What is your ethnic background?" Franz said, "Aryan stock." I responded, "common or preferred." Franz looked at me with disdain.

Added by Gary Freedman on September 5, 2009 at 9:55am — No Comments

September 5, 1939

In Poland... The German 10th and 14th Armies cross the Vistula River, breaking through the cordon of Polish armies. Polish rear guards and armed civilians offer determined resistance at Bydgoszcz, on the southern end of the Polish corridor, before yielding to the units of the German 3rd Corps. Germans troops find hundreds of German residents of the city massacred by the fleeing Poles. Such incidents are used to provide support for earlier claims by Hitler justifying the invasion. On entering… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 5, 2009 at 9:52am — No Comments

Attorneys are Victims of Cliques, Too

Years ago I worked as a paralegal. I had a law degree, but I was underemployed. I complained to my psychotherapist that I was shunned by other employees. The therapist told me the problem was that I was underemployed: that people saw me as a "freak." He told me that the thing to do was to find employment as a lawyer--that way I would have colleagues who were on my professional level.



The problem is that lawyers working as lawyers are somtimes shunned by the prevailing clique at a… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 4, 2009 at 11:37am — No Comments

The Lonely Traveller

One theory suggests that many creatively gifted individuals may suffer from depression as a result of being in environments that don't support their creativity. In her book, The Woman's Book of Creativity , C. Diane Ealy, PhD writes, "Many studies have shown us that a young girl's ideas are frequently discounted by her peers and teachers. In response, she stifles her creativity.” Other experts agree that suppressed and misunderstood creativity can lead to severe neurotic and psychotic behavior,… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 4, 2009 at 10:40am — No Comments

September 4, 1939

Over Germany... The first attacks by RAF Bomber Command go in against German warships in the Heligoland Bight with 29 Blenheim and Wellington bombers in a daylight raid. The Admiral Scheer is hit three times but the bombs do not explode. The cruiser Emden is damaged by wreckage of a shot-down Blenheim. Of the attacking aircraft, 7 are lost. There is no question at this stage of attacking targets in Germany.



In Poland... In the north, the Polish Modlin Army begins to retreat after… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 4, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Can This Be Why Some People Have A Problem With Me?

Identifying the Creative Personality



A survey of a large number of studies designed to identify individuals as being highly creative was used to compile the following list of characteristics to differentiat highly creative persons from less creative ones. There are a number of characteristics listed here that can socially alienate the creative person.



Accepts disorder

Adventurous

Strong affection

Altruistic

Awareness of others

Always baffled by… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 3, 2009 at 11:26am — 4 Comments

September 3, 1939

Britain and France declare war on Germany after its invasion of Poland two days ago.

Added by Gary Freedman on September 3, 2009 at 11:14am — 1 Comment

Attempted Presidential Assassination

September 3, 2009

3801 Connecticut Avenue, NW

Apartment 136

Washington, DC 20008



The Honorable Paul L. Friedman

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse

William B. Bryant Annex

Room 6012

333 Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20001



RE: John Hinckley – Professional Competence of Nicole Rafanello



Dear Judge Friedman:



Enclosed is a collection of documents… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 3, 2009 at 10:30am — 3 Comments

My Favorite Chileans

Dean Claudio Grossman, American University Law School (and a former research fellow! -- yes, I know about those research fellows)



Otto Kernberg, MD, past president, International Psychoanalytical Association



Claudio Arrau, pianist



During the summer of 1972, if I recall correctly, I saw Claudio Arrau perform the Brahms first piano concerto with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Robin Hood Dell in Fairmount Park. The orchestra performed the Beethoven seventh… Continue

Added by Gary Freedman on September 2, 2009 at 11:00am — 3 Comments

September 2, 1939

In London... Throughout the day there are frantic talks about how to oppose Germany. The British Parliament is openly opposed to the passive line that the Chamberlain government is taking and in the evening, the Cabinet decides to present an ultimatum to Germany. The National Service Act is passed, allowing for the conscription of all men aged 19-41.

Added by Gary Freedman on September 2, 2009 at 10:19am — 1 Comment

Follow Me on Twitter

If you want to follow me on Twitter, you can access me at the following site:

http://twitter.com/garfreed

Added by Gary Freedman on September 2, 2009 at 10:13am — 1 Comment

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