“Let It Go” and Other Self-Esteem Songs: Do You Feel Better Yet?

I saw Idina Menzel sing “Let It Go” during the Oscars show, and I saw Majesty Rose sing it last night on “American Idol.” Composed by Kristin Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez for the Disney film Frozen — in which a … Continue reading

De Niro at Oscars: Writers Are Consumed by Self-Loathing

Last night during the Oscars show, Robert De Niro gave a (scripted, of course) introduction to the best-screenplay nominees: The mind of a writer can be a truly terrifying thing. Isolated, neurotic, caffeine-addled, crippled by procrastination and consumed by feelings … Continue reading

Being an Obedient Member of Society Raises Self-Esteem, Study Says

Self-esteem may or may not be a “cultural construct,” as they say in academia — but how good a person feels about him- or herself is largely based on how adeptly he or she complies with the social norms of whatever … Continue reading