Normative and Descriptive Dehumanization (Allegory of the Clan)

The piece below helps us think about normative and descriptive dehumanization. Descriptive dehumanization is about how we describe or perceive someone—for example, viewing someone as biologically different and worthy of mistreatment.  Normative dehumanization is the belief that someone is incapable of certain values or moral standards and therefore is immoral by nature. We discuss because we are exploring the impact of hate and corruption on society.

We have seen both forms throughout history from time to time. Most attrocities and collective wrongdoing have elements of dehumanization. The Allegory of the Clan is a learning thought experiment that explores combinations of dehumanization through race, religion, political beliefs, freedom of speech, etc. When we explore we learn. Some things we may agree with some we may not.

Within that system, people could misuse taxpayer dollars, access information they were not supposed to have, and go out of their way to protect corruption. There were other victims, yet people said nothing. There was coordinated misbehavior among witnesses, threats of violence, and other actions that allowed those misusing the system to continue. Witnesses silenced. In this learning scenario the courts knew about the wrong doing but victim dumped.

As a learning thought experiment, we are looking at a worst-case scenario. Eventually, the behavior did not stop because people suddenly developed stronger values or became committed to their oaths, human-civil rights, or a constitution. It stopped because they were getting caught. They had steak in the game. It opens up commitment to institutional health.

That is not how we want systems to operate. Systems are supposed to serve all people. When we begin dehumanizing others, we start creating a justification for treating them as though they are less deserving of rights, dignity, and protection. That can impact social and economic engagement and health. We all may suffer. So, we want to ensure that those who we put in positions of authority have the capacity to see all members of society as having value and are willing to uphold our shared values and serve the insterests of society (In Theory). 

*The Allegory of the Clan is a philosophical, theoretical, though experiment so take with a grain or salt. There is no right or wrong so feel free do agree, disagree, propose alternatives, etc. It is modeled after Plato's Allegory of the Cave where the more we learn the more insight is gained. 

Normative Dehumanization and the Ordinary Concept of a True Human

• Ben Phillips distinguishes between two forms of dehumanization: descriptive dehumanization and normative dehumanization.
• Descriptive dehumanization involves viewing someone as less than fully human in a biological or species-based sense.
• Normative dehumanization involves viewing someone as lacking a deep commitment to good moral values—the judgment that someone is not a “true” or fully human person in a moral sense.
• Across four studies, Phillips finds evidence that normative dehumanization is different from simple dislike and from denying that someone represents an ideal form of humanity.
• The research also finds that normative dehumanization is a unique predictor of intergroup hostility, suggesting that understanding moral judgments about who counts as a “true human” can help explain hostility between groups.

Phillips, B. (2023). Normative dehumanization and the ordinary concept of a true human. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 5, 100155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100155

Do Flowers Improve Happiness? (Take the Time)

Photography
and art for sale

There is something interesting about flowers. We spend an incredible amount of time building complicated lives, chasing deadlines, answering emails, staring at screens, and trying to figure out what we're supposed to be doing next. Then a flower shows up—and somehow gets our attention without sending us a notification.

Taking photographs of flowers and nature is really just something I enjoy. I post some of the photos here, and every once in a while, I even sell a piece or two. But mostly, it gives me a reason to stop and look around.

I like the outdoors because of the colors, the fresh air, the sounds, and the simple fact that nature doesn't seem particularly interested in our schedules. You can hear birds, rustling leaves, water, and animals doing whatever animals do. Things become quieter. We slow down.

Maybe that's part of the secret. We were born in nature, not in an office, a parking lot, or in front of a glowing rectangle. So perhaps it's not surprising that when we return to nature, something in us feels a little more at home.

(Illustrative Only)

The good things
in life are often
right in front of you.

And apparently, science agrees. Research suggests that flowers and plants can improve mood, reduce stress, and contribute to our sense of well-being. So stopping to smell the roses may actually be a reasonably productive use of time—which is convenient because most of us could probably use a little more unproductive time.

I suppose what we get out of life depends partly on what we choose to notice. There are always bills, deadlines, problems, and people who apparently believe every email requires an immediate response. But there are also flowers, sunsets, birds, trees, oceans, and a whole world quietly going on around us.

Sometimes you just have to stop long enough to notice it.

Photography
and art for sale

And if you happen to like one of my photographs or pieces, feel free to send me a message or buy one. That would make this philosophical exercise even more successful.

Some of my pieces

Art Gallery (Painting and Photos)

$70 Purchase Painting Pay Pal

$60 for photos (Rights to Use or Printing)

Art Gallery eBay (Paintings)

Flowers and Plants May Improve Happiness

• Flowers and plants can improve mood and reduce stress.
• Greenery may promote relaxation and well-being.
• Scents and colors can influence emotions.
• Plants may support focus, creativity, and productivity.
• Gardening can provide mindfulness and social connection.
• Giving flowers can strengthen relationships.

THURSD. (2025, April 2). Does looking at flowers and plants really make you happier? Thursd. https://thursd.com/articles/happiness-looking-at-flowers-plants

Q2 2026 Labor Productivty Report-Workers More Productive but Share of Economy Declines (Jack and Jill Pay for Coffee)

This labor productivity report for the second quarter of 2026 shows that labor productivity is up a little. Unit costs have increased, and labor costs have increased a little bit. Real hourly compensation declined 3.3%, and the labor share of the market declined to 52.8%, which is one of the lowest levels since 1947.

(Illustrative Only)
Jack and Jill
can't figure out 
why he has to 
keep working into
his 70's to retire, 
they struggle to pay their 
bills, despite working 
most of his life. 
He did lose his
job a few times
when the investors
 decided they wanted
to move operations
overseas where
they could make more
money. 
They make in an hour
what he makes in a year.
He thinks
about why. 

20 Year Dashboard
*Meant to encourage
thought and
agreement/disagreement.

So, we haven't made much progress in terms of rebalancing the economy to ensure maximum participation and opportunity across all elements of the economy. Some have argued we have overconcentration of wealth and an overconcentration of decision-making that supports that overconcentration of wealth (It is ok to disagree or agree. The point is thinking about it.)

Corporate profits are up significantly, and there is certainly nothing wrong with that as long as everyone else in the economy is also getting opportunities and continuing to grow. However, this divide seems to be growing more and more, and we don't really have a clear plan for how we're going to deal with it. So, we'll just have to see how it turns out in the long run.

 U.S. Labor Productivity Increased in the Second Quarter of 2026

• Nonfarm business labor productivity increased 1.4% in the second quarter of 2026, while output increased 1.7% and hours worked increased 0.3%.
• Compared with the second quarter of 2025, nonfarm productivity increased 2.2%, indicating continued year-over-year productivity growth.
• Unit labor costs increased 1.2% in the second quarter, reflecting a 2.6% increase in hourly compensation and a 1.4% increase in productivity.
• Real hourly compensation decreased 3.3% during the quarter, while the labor share of output fell to 52.8%, the lowest level in the series beginning in 1947.
• Manufacturing productivity increased 2.4%, with durable manufacturing increasing 3.6%. Manufacturing unit labor costs declined 0.3%, the first quarterly decline since the second quarter of 2021.
• Over the current business cycle, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2019, nonfarm productivity has grown at an annualized rate of 2.1%, matching the long-term rate since 1947.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2026, September 3). Productivity and costs, second quarter 2026, revised. U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/prod2.nr0.htm

Consumer Credit Increase-July 2026

The Federal Reserve just released the July 2026 Consumer Credit Report. Consumer credit increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.2% ($18.1 billion increase), with revolving credit increasing 2.5% and nonrevolving credit increasing 4.8%. 

Illustative Only
Representing...
More credit
means more
nuts can be bought.
Until....😟🙃

So, basically, what we're saying is that consumer credit has expanded somewhat. That can be a helpful sign for an economy where a large proportion of GDP is based on consumer spending because more credit can mean more buying, more sales, and, of course, more revenue from a business standpoint.

Where we spend that money and how that money is spent is important, though, because credit is debt. As interest rates rise, there's always a risk of increased defaults in the future if income and other factors do not rise enough to support those debt payments (Think of the unsustainability of our national debt running a similar process. We are addicted to credit.). 

Alternatively, people may in the future spend too much and rein in their borrowing and become more fiscally conservative, which could lead sometype of slow down or contraction in the future. That depends on how much money, inflation, interest rate. But there are many factors involved, so we don't really know what will happen. It's just a possibility.

So, overall, this is probably good news, at least in the short term. In the long term, however, a lot of people are already have high debt so just keep it in perspective.

We also need to consider where we spend that money. If we spend it in the U.S. on U.S.-manufactured goods, that's going to have an impact. If we spend a lot of that money in our downtowns, local businesses, manufacturers, and farmers, that's also going to have an impact on how many times that money circulates through the local economy—the long tail of behavior. Improving our manufacturing base helps keep that money more regionally.

Anyway, read below to better understand consumer debt and the expansion of consumer credit, which could lead to more buying and a boost to the economy, at least in the short run.

Consumer Credit - G.19

Consumer credit increased 4.2% annualized in July 2026.

Revolving credit, primarily credit cards, rose 2.5%.

Nonrevolving credit, including auto and student loans, rose 4.8%.

Total consumer credit reached about $5.19 trillion.

Credit-card interest rates remained high, averaging about 21%.

Overall, borrowing continued to grow, but high interest costs remain a concern for households.

Small Business Conditions and Economic Outlook August 2026

Small business conditions have weakened a little bit over the last month. Pay attention to these reports because they provide insight into what businesses are facing, the challenges they are experiencing, and where they are doing well.

NFIB Small Business Economic Trends Report

In this case, optimism went down a little bit. Labor remains an issue, which is why training employees, education, and similar efforts can improve labor capabilities. Technology also has an impact on this. Inflation remains an issue for businesses, and expectations for improved business conditions have declined somewhat. Overall, there is a little more pessimism in the market.

However, it is important to watch these trends over time, including year-over-year changes, because a short-term snapshot can be misleading. If the overall score is still above its historical average, a small monthly decline may not necessarily indicate a significant deterioration in business conditions.

Small Business Conditions and Economic Outlook in August 2026

• Small-business optimism declined to 98.7 but remained above the long-term average of 98.0.
• Sales weakened, with a net -9% of owners reporting higher nominal sales over the previous three months.
• Labor availability remained the top business concern, with 23% identifying labor quality or availability as their most important problem.
• Inflation continued to pressure businesses, with 16% identifying it as their most important problem and 31% reporting higher selling prices.
• Expectations for improved business conditions declined to a net 10%, although this remained above the historical average of 4%.

National Federation of Independent Business Research Center. (2026, September 8). Small Business Optimism Index: August 2026. NFIB. NFIB Small Business Economic Trends Report

Simple Performance Shirts with Shorts in Men's Fashion

(Illustrative Only)
When you got
your own fashion 
show going on. 🙃

Recently, while updating some of my profile, I bought a couple of these shirts and already had the tan shorts in my sailing and beach wardrobe.

I looked around to see if I could find the shirts online (See below). A couple of people even complimented the style—and, apparently, the hair was part of the package.

It’s rare to get compliments, but when you get a couple of unsolicited ones, you should probably take them as feedback. So, naturally, I did what any reasonable person would do: I kept the outfit. 😁

This is what I came up with.

Hang Ten Shirt

Tan Shorts

Employment Rates Running Statistics-Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

You may be interested in these running and historical employment rates by FRED. I found it online while looking at some other stuff so just thought I would share.  All Employees Fed Reserve