Roger Meyer

Earthquakes are always in the news. On Friday, March 11, 2011, an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 struck in Japan, generating a devastating tsunami. Thousands are reported killed. Why are we having these devastating earthquakes, seemingly one right after another?

We've all heard the public apologies of company spokespersons, sports figures, politicians, movie stars or celebrities. We can usually tell whether they mean it or if they're just reading a carefully worded script. When we've been wronged, we expect an apology. But it may be hard for us to apologize when we have wronged someone. Why is apology so important in human relations?

One of the latest catch phrases, "Is there an app for that?" came from commercials about the new generation of cell phones. Applications are available that can give you information on virtually any subject and often make available the means to accomplish many things. How about an app for the meaning and purpose of life? Is there an app for that?

On February 4, 2011, the asteroid 2011 CQ1 narrowly missed the earth, coming within 3,400 miles (5471 km). Five days later, a larger asteroid called 2011 GA7 passed within 65,000 miles—both astronomical near misses. On February 15, 2011, a silver streak appeared in the sky over Pennsylvania and was seen in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland. Some astronomers are concerned that an astoroid named Apophis will strike the earth in 2036.  Will this be earth's doom?

Psychological research over the last few decades has shown that humans have biases that affect our ability to perceive correctly. These biases affect not only our perception but also our judgment, behavior and belief. Biased thinking leads to misunderstanding, wrong decisions, and to costly consequences and mistakes.