Christopher Hitchens: A huge loss for rational people everywhere

Christopher Hitchen - New Atheist par excellence!

Died 15 December 2011

Dear Christopher Hitchens,

It was mainly you and Richard Dawkins who gave me the courage to make the jump to atheism and, more importantly, stay there.

I know I have watched countless debates of yours. It was more to receive reassurance than for any logical arguments, especially in those shaky first few months of newly-deconverted atheism. There was something in the way you absolutely demolished all the claims made by your religious opponents that soothed a mind feeling completely lost and at sea in a world without a god.

Thank you, Christopher Hitchens. Thank you so much for all the support you have given me.

I will never forget the world-famous Hitchslaps you handed out to your hapless, deluded debaters. We needed, and will continue to need, a sure, logical, and unbelievably charismatic voice like yours to bring out all the other people out there sitting on the fence. 

I will miss your intellectual company.

 ps: To the uninitiated, just a quick search on Google will turn up his classic debates on Youtube, etc.

New and Exclusive : Why we are in love with the Latest and Greatest

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Have you noticed how we tend to be drawn in by things that seem to be rare, in demand, and/or exclusive? Especially if the chance to experience them is going to be withdrawn within a short while?

Say hello to the Scarcity Principle.

The Scarcity Principle

  "The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost."                                                

- G. K. Chesterton

Scarcity Principle : Opportunities seem more valuable to us when their availability is limited. (ref : "Influence" by Robert Cialdini)

We are all familiar with this idea. We may not have articulated it to ourselves, but there is no doubt we have all felt the urge to go after something after hearing that it is now in short supply or is exclusive, even if we didn't really want it that much earlier.

And more proof comes from the fact that so many advertisements use it. It works.

  New and Exclusive!!
  Limited Offer!!
  Offer valid till stocks last!!!

We have all seen the slogans. Why is it that we covet something that is "New"?