Latest news with #Homer
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Health
- New York Post
Why it's time to start treating revenge as the potentially deadly addiction that it is
We don't usually think of anger and resentment the way we think about drugs or alcohol. But growing evidence suggests that, for many people, the craving for revenge follows the same patterns as substance abuse and addiction, triggering powerful biological urges that can spiral out of control and destroy lives. Recent neuroscience discoveries show that your brain on revenge looks like your brain on drugs. Real or imagined grievances (perceived mistreatment, humiliation, shame, victimization) activate the anterior insula — part of the brain's 'pain network.' In response, your brain activates its reward circuitry, causing dopamine to flood your brain, producing short-lived bursts of pleasure. 5 Legendary thinker Homer focused on themes of revenge in his iconic tale 'The Odyssey.' Getty Images For most people, this process is manageable. But for others, the self-control area — the prefrontal cortex — that's supposed to stop you from engaging in harmful behaviors gets hijacked, resulting in tragedy. We know now that revenge isn't metaphorical. It's biological. In the moment, revenge feels great. But like drugs and alcohol, the effects wear off quickly, and the pain returns. If not controlled, revenge can turn into a deadly addiction. The only way to gratify revenge cravings is by inflicting harm on the people who hurt you (or their proxies). Hard-core drug users inject narcotics into their own bodies to satisfy their cravings. Hard-core revenge users inject bullets into the bodies of others. Public health data and research show that grievance-triggered revenge cravings are the root motivation of almost all forms of violence, including youth violence and bullying, intimate partner violence, street and gang violence, police brutality, violent extremism, terrorism, and even war. 5 Almost every act of violence and warfare can be attributed to feelings of vengeance, which is why revenge must be treated as an addiction, critics believe. Getty Images Criminologists have proposed other motivations — predation, dominance, ideology, hate, and sadism. But the neuroscience of revenge suggests these are better categorized as grievances that activate revenge desires, and the hedonic reward one receives when revenge is achieved. While scientists haven't thought of revenge as an addictive process until recently, poets, playwrights, and prophets have been trying to tell us this for millennia. Writing in 700 BCE, Homer, for instance, warns of the dangers of compulsive revenge seeking in the Odyssey. The tale of Odysseus reveals the hero returning home from the Trojan War to find his wife, Penelope, in the company of more than a hundred suitors. Odysseus slaughters them all in an orgy of retaliation, unleashing a cycle of revenge that can only be stopped with the intervention of the gods. 5 Author Matthew White estimates that 445 million people have been killed in revenge-related acts of violence. Facebook In the fifth century BCE, the ancient Greek playwrights Sophocles, Aeschylus, and Euripides achieved immortal fame through tragic plays like 'Antigone,' 'Oedipus Rex,' 'Agamemnon,' and 'Medea,' which exhorted audiences about the dangers of compulsive revenge seeking. The book of Genesis cautions humanity about the risks of revenge in stories such as Cain's murder of Abel and God's vengeance-fueled mass slaughter of humanity during the flood. Today, we see the perniciousness of revenge on every scale. From vicious personal feuds and road rage to mass shootings, terrorist attacks, genocides, and war, the compulsion to seek revenge can often not be tamed, even when it costs everything. Whether it's a teenager bullied at school, a political faction nursing old grievances, or a nation seeking redress for historical wrongs, the underlying brain biology is the same. Tally the casualties of all the murders and physical and psychological assaults throughout human history, and you're likely to reach the number of dead and wounded from compulsive revenge seeking. Multicide researcher Matthew White estimates that a staggering 455 million people have been killed in just the top 100 most deadly atrocities and wars in recorded history. The World Health Organization estimates that violence-related injuries kill approximately 1.25 million people each year. 5 'The Science of Revenge' is written by James Kimmel Jr. But there's good news. Understanding violence as the result of an addictive process means that we can finally develop ways of preventing and treating it beyond mere arrest and punishment. Laws and prisons deter some people, but not those whose brains are gripped by the intense craving for payback. Like drug addicts risking death for a fix, revenge addicts risk everything for the fleeting satisfaction of retaliation. As with drug addiction, education, cognitive therapies, counseling, self-help strategies, and, potentially, anti-craving medications like naltrexone and GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may help. But an even more powerful revenge addiction strategy exists inside our brains — forgiveness. Recent neuroscience studies show that when you simply imagine forgiving a grievance, your brain's pain, craving, and reward circuitry shut down and your self-control circuitry activates. In other words, forgiveness takes away the pain of past trauma, eliminates revenge cravings, and restores smart decision-making. 5 James Kimmel, Jr. says that forgiveness acts as 'an even more powerful revenge addiction strategy.' Michelle Senatore It's not a gift to the person who hurt you — it's a gift to yourself. You can use it as often as needed to heal yourself from the wrongs of the past, but still defend yourself from threats of the present or future. Bottom line: Forgiveness is a wonder drug that we don't use often enough. As May closes and we reach the end of Mental Health Awareness Month this year, there may be no mental illness that we need to become more aware of than revenge addiction. Unless we learn how to break the cycle of revenge, it will continue to destroy individuals, families, communities, and nations. James Kimmel, Jr., JD, is a lecturer in psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine and author of 'The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World's Deadliest Addiction — and How to Overcome It,' from which this article is adapted.
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pruitt quickly making her mark
Two unlikely suspects teamed up to trigger a huge Pick 4 payoff of $14,295.45 Tuesday evening at Assiniboia Downs, and that led to a massive Pick 4 Pool of over $150,000 on Wednesday, as Assiniboia Downs smoked full run into the summer. New apprentice Ciera Pruitt guided longshot filly Mineral Rights ($41.60) smoothly wide over five-eighths of a mile and back to the winner's circle in the seventh race on Tuesday for trainer Jason Homer, who recently arrived from Fonner Park with 25 horses, and together the dynamic duo blew up the tote board. It was the first lifetime win for Pruitt as a newly minted jockey, and to make it even more memorable, she had to beat a riderless horse named Dirty Flirt, who stumbled and ditched her rider at the gate. Pedigree came into play in Pruitt's big win too, but not on the horsey side. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Jockey Ciera Pruitt grew up around horses as her father was a jockey and her mother is one of the top trainers at Assinibboia Downs. Pruitt's mother is hot local trainer Lise Pruitt, who is winning at a 40 per cent clip and is currently third in the trainer standings, and her father is former top Downs jockey Jerry Pruitt. Both were in the winner's circle with smiles you could hang on to. 'It was a feeling you can't describe, man,' said the 22-year-old Pruitt, who has been around horses her entire life. 'It was pretty special to have everybody there and have my mom and my dad. It was definitely an emotional night.' Born into a racing family, Pruitt has unknowingly been preparing for this moment since she was born. She probably figured it out early though, living on a farm and grooming horses before she started officially exercising them. 'I don't remember a time I wasn't around horses,' said Pruitt. 'We were running around causing havoc in the barn when my mom was training.' Despite the family connections, Pruitt is determined to make her own mark. 'I want to prove to my dad and show him that I can do what he did,' she said. Pruitt has a solid foundation to build on, having also spent time in Toronto working for Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Josie Carroll and galloping at Palm Meadows in Florida, before returning home to launch her riding career. Her goals for the year are ambitious but realistic.'I would like to ride at least a couple of stakes races and just get better and gain more experience. Then I'd like to be able to take off to Toronto and ride there before we go back down south.' It was the first win in five starts locally for Washington State-native Homer, who arrived at the Downs in the middle of a 40-race losing streak and immediately turned that number on its head, also winning the fifth race on Wednesday with another longshot, The Ronald ($33.20). Homer now has two wins, a second and a third from five starts locally, and it felt good to turn things around. At 62, Homer has been training horses for 44 years. The veteran horseman has seen it all, winning stakes that include the Portland Mile and also winning races at major tracks including Santa Anita. He's philosphical about his recent losing streak. 'When you're down, you're down,' said Homer. 'You just have to keep going, try to get back to where you know you should be. Things don't always go right, so you make changes.' Homer's connection with Pruitt began through coincidence. He hired her former boyfriend to gallop horses, and when Ciera stopped to help in Nebraska on her way home from Florida, she impressed the trainer enough that he remembered her skills when he arrived at Assiniboia Downs. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'She helped me out for a little bit in Nebraska on her way home, and then when I got here, she was really good help,' said Homer, whose horses provide more than just a livelihood, they're therapeutic companions. 'It's like having a big dog,' he said about his love for horses. 'Just the freedom' is what draws him to training, and the animals have taught him when things don't always go right, you work together to figure it out. Seems he's figured it out pretty well so far at the Downs, thanks to his four-legged friends. The timing of Homer's breakthrough victories was particularly meaningful too, coming just before the Owner/Trainer/Breeder Appreciation Dinner put on by Assiniboia Downs on Thursday evening, in which the Downs presented cheques for $13,000 to both the Winner's Foundation and Final Furlong. The Winner's Foundation provides addiction and counselling services, as well as athletic therapy and other assistance, to members of the backstretch and their families. Final Furlong helps find new homes and careers for retired racehorses. Many of their horses have gone on to successful careers as show horses. And they're also among the best therapists money can buy. Just ask Homer.
The Independent
a day ago
- General
- The Independent
Private companies recover remains after search for missing family suspended
A boat and human remains have been recovered in Kachemak Bay near Homer, Alaska, in 180 feet of water, during a search for a Texas family of four, missing since August. Three private Alaskan companies volunteered in April to search for the boat using sonar equipment. Divers recovered three sets of remains from the sunken vessel, which have been taken to the State Medical Examiner's Office for identification. The missing family from Troy, Texas, includes Mary Maynard, 37, David Maynard, 42, and their sons Colton, 11, and Brantley, 8. The U.S. Coast Guard initially suspended the search the day after the boat was reported to be taking on water in August, after a nearby boat rescued four other people from the vessel. Remains found in year-long search for missing family whose boat capsized off Alaska
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy
Almost 10 months after a Texas family's boat capsized off the coast of Homer, Alaska, a search turned up human remains at the bottom of the bay. In August 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the missing boaters but suspended it without any sightings. David and Mary Maynard, of Troy, along with their two sons – 11-year-old Colton Maynard and 8-year-old Brantley Maynard – went missing after a 28-foot aluminum boat carrying eight people capsized approximately 16 miles west of Homer, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Texas Family Missing On Alaska Vacation After Boat Capsizes Off Coast Alaska State Troopers said they had three private companies – Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc – contact them to offer their professional tools to assist with the search. With their assistance, they were able to locate the missing boat. "In early May, the group was able to locate the vessel in 180 feet of water and, utilizing a remotely operated vehicle, they were able to positively identify it as the missing boat with potential human remains onboard," the Alaska State Troopers reported. Read On The Fox News App Since the discovery, divers have recovered three sets of remains from the sunken vessel and transported them to the State Medical Examiner's Office for positive identification and autopsy. Coast Guard Rescues 4 Passengers From Capsized Boat Off Florida Coast; 1 Dead, 5 Still Missing Next of kin have been notified and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers expressed their thanks to everyone who assisted in the recovery efforts. "The Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to thank Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, Benthic Geoscience Inc, and Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team for their continued assistance with this search and recovery operation," they said. Click To Get The Fox News App A GoFundMe posted when the family first went missing said the Maynards "left a huge imprint on many people," from the laughter they brought to others to the "love and family-oriented connection they provided." It goes on to express how much they will be missed. "It is indescribable the void that will be left behind, but I know if we come together as a family and a community they would know how much they meant to everyone," the GoFundMe article source: Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy
Fox News
3 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Human remains found in sunken boat bring closure to Texas family's Alaska tragedy
Almost 10 months after a Texas family's boat capsized off the coast of Homer, Alaska, a search turned up human remains at the bottom of the bay. In August 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard searched for the missing boaters but suspended it without any sightings. David and Mary Maynard, of Troy, along with their two sons – 11-year-old Colton Maynard and 8-year-old Brantley Maynard – went missing after a 28-foot aluminum boat carrying eight people capsized approximately 16 miles west of Homer, the U.S. Coast Guard said. Alaska State Troopers said they had three private companies – Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, and Benthic Geoscience Inc – contact them to offer their professional tools to assist with the search. With their assistance, they were able to locate the missing boat. "In early May, the group was able to locate the vessel in 180 feet of water and, utilizing a remotely operated vehicle, they were able to positively identify it as the missing boat with potential human remains onboard," the Alaska State Troopers reported. Since the discovery, divers have recovered three sets of remains from the sunken vessel and transported them to the State Medical Examiner's Office for positive identification and autopsy. Next of kin have been notified and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers expressed their thanks to everyone who assisted in the recovery efforts. "The Alaska Wildlife Troopers would like to thank Support Vessels of Alaska, Vision Subsea, Benthic Geoscience Inc, and Alaska Dive Search, Rescue, and Recovery Team for their continued assistance with this search and recovery operation," they said. A GoFundMe posted when the family first went missing said the Maynards "left a huge imprint on many people," from the laughter they brought to others to the "love and family-oriented connection they provided." It goes on to express how much they will be missed. "It is indescribable the void that will be left behind, but I know if we come together as a family and a community they would know how much they meant to everyone," the GoFundMe states.
