Tag Archives: Language

Words and More Words

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Doctor Quack

I often find myself participating in conversations wondering what the point of all of it is.  Sometimes words and phrases just seem like trivial mouth sounds put forth as a desperate plea for the silence to stop. “Oh, you like blue?  …How interesting! … Continue reading →

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Doubt and Freedom

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Doctor Quack

In a normal social interaction, an action usually provokes a single and consistent reaction. Social behaviors are matters of custom.  In the Real World, into which we awake and generally spend most of our time, social action and reaction are second nature.  Of … Continue reading →

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Behind the Iron Curtain: Belarus

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Doctor Quack

I recently had the fortune of traveling to the last dictatorship in Europe: Belarus. For those of you who don’t know the Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How of Belarus, allow me to share: Belarus is medium-sized European nation … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Lacanian Paradise

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Doctor Quack

I am neither a psychologist nor a theologian.  But like you and everybody else throughout human history, I do my best to make sense of it all.  Your best is all one can really ask for, since we are born … Continue reading →

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Profanation of the Sublime

Posted on May 5, 2013 by Doctor Quack

(Warning: this entry has strong language, but it’s all for a point.  If you’re sensitive to strong language, regardless of the point, please stop reading.  That’s right, I’m looking at you, Mom.) We live in two different worlds: the world … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Music and Literature, Editorial | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Gravity is Everywhere

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Doctor Quack

Allow me to take you to Wrocław, Poland circa 2008.  As is the case with many of my anecdotes, this one took place during my youthfully irresponsible days backpacking around Europe.  Oh how blessed was the epoch of self-negligence… Poland had … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Loss for Words

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Doctor Quack

“Words cannot describe…” “I’m struggling to find the right words…” “Words fail me…” “It’s hard to explain…” The experience of being unable to verbalize a thought, sensation, or experience is terrifying to me, and I’ll tell you why: it reminds … Continue reading →

Posted in Art Music and Literature | Tagged , , , , , , | 38 Comments

The Day I Blogged About Seeing a Frog

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Doctor Quack

That day is today. The frog, however, was three weeks ago.  That’s how impacting it was.  That’s how strongly it weighs on my mind.  The frog came.  The frog went.  But the memory – alas! – the consequence of said … Continue reading →

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The Limitations of the English Language (Eugenides)

Posted on October 21, 2011 by Doctor Quack

A quote: “Emotions, in my experience, aren’t covered by single words.  I don’t believe in ‘sadness,’ ‘joy,’ or ‘regret.’  Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that it oversimplifies feeling.  I’d like to have at my disposal … Continue reading →

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