Undeniable Self: Building Your Intellectual Fortress
Being undeniable doesn’t mean being narcissistic or arrogant about your point of view. It’s not about being self-assured without evidence to back up that confidence. We all have a natural disposition to believe our own bullshit and to filter information based on our experiences, ideologies, and lives. But to be truly undeniable means something deeper […]
Once Upon a Time: Sand Castles and Constructs
We’ve forgotten something vital about ourselves – the ability to shift mental states as effortlessly as children at play. Remember that bamboo stick that could transform from sword to rocket launcher with just a slight rotation? Was that just me? I still have that stick and came across is a couple weeks ago in the […]
Breaking Back: Rediscovering Living Post-Lockdown
As we emerge from the shadows of global lockdowns, many of us are discovering subtle but persistent changes in how we experience and navigate daily life. These aren’t just temporary adjustments – they’re profound shifts in our perception of time, our emotional responses, and our capacity for engagement with the world around us. The Invisible […]
Network Effect of Personal Growth: Insights from Rick Rubin’s Philosophy
When I recently listened to Rick Rubin’s conversation with Aubrey Marcus, something profound caught my attention right from the first question. While I’ve shared thoughts about Rubin’s interviews before, this particular exchange revealed a deeper truth about personal development and discovery: once you begin a process, previously hidden paths reveal themselves. Let’s explore this concept […]
Architecture of Dependence: How Government Creates and Sustains Social Division
Recent events have prompted me to reflect on the mechanisms of control and division in our society, particularly how government structures create and maintain dependence while simultaneously driving wedges between citizens who might otherwise find common ground. The Illusion of Choice in Foreign Policy Consider the recent Tucker Carlson interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei […]
False Equivalence of Parent-Child Sacrifice: Reflection of Family Values
There’s a scene in a TV show that recently caught my attention – one where a daughter speaks about mutual sacrifice between herself and her father. This moment, though seemingly touching, reveals a fundamental misconception about the parent-child relationship that deserves deeper examination. The Asymmetry of Parental Responsibility The notion that children should sacrifice for […]
Productive Curiosity: Transforming Difficult Conversations in Close Relationships
When we’re close to someone – whether a family member, romantic partner, or close friend – that very proximity can make it difficult to navigate tensions and conflicts productively. In my experience, and likely in yours, the natural response to relationship tension is often to withdraw, to “leave it alone.” While this might provide temporary […]
Beyond Objectivity: Reflections on Media, Racism, and Human Understanding
When watching Dan Rather’s documentary about the Civil Rights Movement, I found myself struck by a particular comment he made about being “an honest broker of information.” Rather admitted that his emotional response to witnessing such intense hatred made true objectivity difficult. This raises an interesting question about journalism and human understanding that deserves deeper […]
Beyond Band-Aid Solutions: A Case for Radical Transparency in Big Food
In a recent interview with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. discussing chronic diseases and our food system caught my attention. While he correctly identifies the problems with “Big Food” – from questionable ingredients to harmful industry practices – his proposed solutions fall into the same regulatory trap that has partially created our current predicament. Kennedy’s heart […]
Embracing the Labyrinth: Journey Through Self Discovery, Trust, and Purpose
In a world where conversations often skirt the edges of our deepest convictions and fears, there lies a pressing need to dive deeper into the essence of what makes us truly human. The journey is not about avoiding the political or societal taboos but embracing the labyrinth of our own psyche, understanding the subtle shifts […]