The Appeal of the Genteel: Ben Franklin beyond work
Back in the day of the American colonies, only two classes of people seemed to exist: the genteel class and commoners. Upward social mobility was a very real possibility for … Continue reading
Imagining a Revolution: sci-fi and a story of social change
Let’s talk about possible worlds. Behold the world we live in now, but keep in mind the limitless possibilities for the future. How could the world become a better, more … Continue reading
Escape the Echo Chamber: a journey through the political spectrum
The point is this: Move beyond your will to be right and toward a willingness to be open-minded, and you move closer to liberation. At least, that’s the plan.
#30daychallenge: Daily routines and an experiment in social media accountability
The Challenge: Daily Morning and Evening Routines In the past four months of training for a marathon, I revisited years of notes and ideas about the optimal components of a … Continue reading
Bracing for overstimulation: Mental health amid chaos and worry
In a few months time, I plan to get in my car and roam. I’ll be on the road for several weeks, beginning in mid-June. I want to discover odd … Continue reading
Status symbols crush our souls
When we live “authentically” we live according to our innermost desires, our spirit and character. I could spend days trying to parse this idea. How can we distinguish between “innermost … Continue reading
Why We Love the Murderer
Justin St. Germain’s moody essay, “Murder Tourism in Middle America,” follows the thoughts of a brooding, pessimistic young professor on a quest to satisfy his obsession with Truman Capote’s nonfiction … Continue reading
A Cynic’s Guide to Honeymooning
This morning I read an essay by Charles Comey, “Against Honeymoons,” and I thought of our cultural swerving on the spectrum between total cynicism and diehard idealism. Let’s back up. … Continue reading
Big-Picture Time Management for the Hopelessly Ambitious
Be a badass, sure, but be a well-rounded badass and you’re really living your best life.
Mmm, that’s good camel: on the pursuit of happiness
I’m obsessed with stories about much older people. I want to empathize with the thoughts and concerns of old age, because there are important clues there. Clues about what really … Continue reading
