Here’s where we get real about seeing things as they are. Here’s where some people might get offended, but I’ll take that risk in the hopes that something here might cause someone to think a little differently or help someone who’s on the ropes find the strength to keep fighting.
My grandmother always said that if it rains on the first of the month, it’ll rain for fifteen days. As a kid, I tried to prove her wrong with science—but the results surprised me. Discover why our brains are wired to ignore the truth and how “confirmation bias” shapes everything from our morning commute to our professional relationships.
I spent years in the cogs of the evangelical machine, driven by a fear of infinite fire and a desperate need to do the “right thing.” But I eventually discovered that the loudest voices aren’t always the truest. This is why I’ve returned to writing—not for traffic or money, but for the sake of objective reality.
Why do politicians and billionaires benefit when you stay uninformed? Explore the tension between the comfort of ignorance and the power of knowledge, and discover why reading banned books is an act of rebellion.
Is belief a virtue or a vulnerability? While supporting a child or believing in democracy serves a purpose, there is a dangerous line where belief replaces evidence and facts are swapped for narratives. From the biological pull of tribalism to the influence of faith on public law, explore why the pursuit of certainty can often lead us away from reality.
It’s the 16th of March, 1968, and 24-year-old Second Lieutenant William L. Calley Jr. has only been in Vietnam for three months. Hailing from Miami, Florida, United States, the short, stocky college drop-out is preparing to lead about a hundred men from Charlie Company on a mission to find and kill Vietcong enemies.
I may no longer be Christian, but I live in the so-called ‘Bible Belt’ and many of the people I know and care about are. It seems for many, abortion is the one issue that is non-negotiable. But what if focusing solely on this issue actually hinders the very goal of bringing more people to faith?
Growing up in the seventies, we idolized the outlaws—Robin Hood, Jesse James, and Billy the Kid. They stood against “the man.” But looking at the modern political landscape, I see a strange irony: a generation of people claiming the outlaw spirit while following a script written by billionaires.
Is innocence a virtue, or simply an absence of knowledge? Explore a philosophical reinterpretation of the Garden of Eden and why the “fall” may have actually been an ascension toward human maturity.
Adaptation is key to survival, even when it requires us to challenge our old worldviews. Coming from a religious background, I learned a few lessons along the way. Buddhism is an ancient compilation of wisdom, not divinely inspired, needing to be tested and accepted for what it is. Let’s draw from multiple sources for optimal growth and dispel self-delusion.
In a time of rampant misinformation, rely on yourself and your judgment to identify truth and trustworthiness. Wisdom lies in testing out ideas for yourself, and recognizing liars for what they are. Don’t be a victim of manipulation; take control of your reason and discernment.
As Buddhists, we can use the teachings of impermanence and the imperfect nature of the human brain to deal with the difficult times of today. We can accept that change is constant, witness the truth of the underlying motivations of those in power, and look deep within ourselves for real truth.
