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Startle Response and Instinct: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
[DISCLAIMER] Earlier this morning, when checking my mailbox while the sky was still dark, I observed the behavior of an armadillo, of the nine-banded variety. Because the placental mammal is nocturnal by nature, it likely didn’t anticipate or expect me to be out and about while it strolled around. The creature probably had poor hearing, as my knees and ankles make the sound of crackling firewood when I walk. Thus, the armadillo didn’t hear me approaching, as I apparently

Deric Hollings
3 days ago16 min read


Bayesian Reasoning
[DISCLAIMER] Logic and Reason I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), as I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT herein. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation

Deric Hollings
Sep 1115 min read


Guilt Trip: A Self-Conscious Emotional Ride
[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo

Deric Hollings
Sep 615 min read


The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves: About a Paradox and Giving Up
[DISCLAIMER] When enlisted in the United States Marine Corps (1996-2007), assigned to Marine Corps Base Quantico when undergoing Marine Security Guard training (1999), I saw a Marine wearing a t-shirt with the phrase The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves. According to one source, the etiology of this phrase is inconclusive. Additionally, another source states of the expression: Wikipedia explains the well-known slogan like this: ‘The beatings will continue

Deric Hollings
Sep 211 min read


Intellect: Practitioners of Prediction, Not Prophecy
[DISCLAIMER] The American Psychological Association (APA) defines intellect as “the intellectual functions of the mind considered collectively” and “an individual’s capacity for abstract, objective reasoning, especially as contrasted with their capacity for feeling, imagining, or acting.” For clarity, the APA also defines intellectual function as “any of the mental functions involved in acquiring, developing, and relating ideas, concepts, and hypotheses. Memory, imaginati

Deric Hollings
Jul 116 min read


Unfathomable
[DISCLAIMER] On the EP entitled Requiem for a Nightmare (2025), by lyricist Eclyse and producer Forge One, is the song “Unfathomable” in which Elyse states, “What can’t be fathomed, traveled lightyears with a telescope. To see the past, yo, we can’t imagine even a fraction.” Thereby, he addresses the term unfathomable (not capable of being fathomed). Here, fathomable regards that which is capable of being comprehended. Importantly, fathom merely means to penetrate and com

Deric Hollings
Jul 88 min read


Summertime Is the Killing Season
[DISCLAIMER] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I teach people about the ABC model of self-disturbance (how people upset themselves through use of irrational beliefs). Now, I’ll address a finer point of this psychotherapeutic model of wellness. For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate how when an undesirable Action occurs and you Believe an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumption, n

Deric Hollings
Jul 813 min read


It’s Not an Opinion, It’s a Fact: Am I Taking Crazy Pills?
[DISCLAIMER] When providing care for mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), I’m sometimes reminded of an Internet mere regarding the antiquated term crazy (not mentally sound: marked by thought or action that lacks reason). Specifically, one source states: Zoolander is a 2001 comedy film [written and directed by,] and starring Ben Stiller. In it[,] he plays Derek Zoolander, an American male model brainwashed to kill the Prime Minister of

Deric Hollings
Jul 612 min read


Conditional Reasoning: Unconditionally Accepting What Is
[DISCLAIMER] Logic and Reason I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation o

Deric Hollings
Jun 2714 min read


If We Could Be Love, Then We Must Be Love
[DISCLAIMER] I view many events through the proverbial lens of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Herein, I’ll provide a psychoeducational lesson that involves thinking and believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason), or not (i.e., irrational), as it regards REBT. Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. Fo

Deric Hollings
Jun 99 min read


The Logic Is Correct: Yuh, I Felt That One in My Nuggets!
[DISCLAIMER] I recently listened to conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson interviewing German banking and development economist Richard Werner. Even if you don’t typically appreciate Carlson or his perspective, I invite you to consider that Werner stated when discussing bankers: Mathematics is logic, and the logic is correct. And here’s the trick, here’s the great deception. We like logic. Men like logic. People like logic. Logic is convincing to us, and so co

Deric Hollings
May 256 min read


Objective Reasoning: Truth About the Reality of Suicide
[DISCLAIMER] Personal Ownership I recently listened to an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast in which he discussed Theo Von’s purported issues with mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”), as I thought of a psychoeducational lesson on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Before elaborating, it’s worth noting that when practicing REBT I use personal responsibility and accountability (collectively “ownership”). For better understanding, re

Deric Hollings
May 2122 min read


Listening to Reason Through Argument: Is the Rhetoric of Whataboutism Persuasive?
[DISCLAIMER] *Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985) spoilers contained herein. The matriarch of the family that invited me to live with her from the children’s home in which I resided said something along the lines of, “You’ve watch too much TV!” She wasn’t incorrect, because, as a latchkey kid, I was practically raised by the television while my mom worked. One of my favorite shows was Pee-wee’s Playhouse, a children’s comedy television series starring the late Paul Reubens (

Deric Hollings
May 1721 min read


Self-Motivation: Trying to Motivate the Unmotivated
[DISCLAIMER] In common parlance, motivation is defined as the act or process of giving someone a reason for doing something. Given this description, I value consideration of thoughts and beliefs which are rational (in accordance with both logic and reason). Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable, and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification. For instance, a modus ponens syllogism uses

Deric Hollings
Apr 2812 min read


Tragedy of the Commons
[ DISCLAIMER ] Within my blog, I provide many psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Often, this method of teaching involves the matter of thinking or believing which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ), or not (i.e., irrational ). Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable , and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justification . For insta

Deric Hollings
Mar 2110 min read


Put Reason to Use When Facing Troubles
[ DISCLAIMER ] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman . The authors quote ancient Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius who stated, “You’ve endured countless troubles—all from not letting your ruling reason do the work it was ma

Deric Hollings
Mar 164 min read


Chop Logic
[ DISCLAIMER ] As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy , this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman . Gaius Musonius Rufus stated, “When the problem arose for us whether habit or theory was better for getting virtue —if by theory is meant what teaches us correct conduct, and by habit w

Deric Hollings
Mar 134 min read


Country X Has a Right to Defend Itself
[ DISCLAIMER ] As I’ve paid close attention to the 2026 Iran war (sometimes referred to as an operation, conflict, hostilities, etc.), that was initiated by the United States (U.S.) and Israel against Iran, I’ve heard many perspectives which aren’t rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ). Here, “logic” is the interrelation or sequence of facts or events when seen as inevitable or predictable , and “reason” is a statement offered in explanation or justific

Deric Hollings
Mar 105 min read


Conclusions in Search of Rationale
[ DISCLAIMER ] When providing psychoeducational lessons on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I invite people to consider thinking which is rational (in accordance with both logic and reason ). This is an especially worthwhile consideration when practicing one of the main tools of REBT. For context, REBT uses the ABC model to illustrate that when an undesirable A ction occurs and you B elieve an unhelpful narrative about the event, it’s your unfavorable assumpt

Deric Hollings
Feb 196 min read


A Round of Applause for "Domestic Terrorists"?
[ DISCLAIMER ] On January 7, 2026, I watched a woman die. Renée Good was killed by a federal law enforcement officer (LEO) in an event that appeared to be her attempt to evade law enforcement (LE) personnel by turning the wheel of her vehicle in a direction away from the shooting LEO. Given that my primary military occupational specialty (MOS) in the United States (U.S.) Marine Corps was military police , I have some knowledge, wisdom, and understanding about the use of

Deric Hollings
Jan 259 min read
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