Critical Thinking Archives

Is it Better that Ten Guilty Persons Go Free that One Innocent be Convicted?

May 28, 2023

The law holds that it is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer. William Blackstone I was planning a completely different post for today but then on Friday last week they announced super good news. Olivier Vandecasteele was released after 455 days of detention in an Iranian prison on alleged charges … More Is it Better that Ten Guilty Persons Go Free that One Innocent be Convicted?

Repost: Can Happiness Be Cultivated?

May 27, 2023

I’ve been writing about happiness recently. This is the third (and final) installment in a series of pieces on this subject. The first installment can be found here and second one, here. While prepping myself to write this, I began to think of analogies. Can happiness be cultivated in the same way a farmer prepares for a good … More Repost: Can Happiness Be Cultivated?

What Drives People to Buy and Use Sustainable Products

May 14, 2023

As you know, there is a huge gap between saying and doing when it comes to sustainable consumption habits (well, when it comes to habits in general). Most of us say we would like to be careful about what we buy, perhaps minimizing waste and the use of single-use plastic bag, or supporting only companies that … More What Drives People to Buy and Use Sustainable Products

In Search of an Inner Life

May 6, 2023

Is there anything beyond the futility of the external world, governed by fierce competition, ambition and baseless pleasures? Where does one take refuge from the constant treadmill of busyness that encapsulates our day to day working lives? One is inclined to ask, is there anything outside of the status games played within our society, trying … More In Search of an Inner Life

Sharing is Caring

April 28, 2023

Dear, Readers, I’m speaking for all Wise & Shine writers when I say that we so appreciate your continued support of this blog. To show how thankful we are, we want to ask you to share a link to your blog or site in the “thoughts” or comments section at the bottom of this page. … More Sharing is Caring

It’s Been Pouring

April 12, 2023

Most of us are familiar with the old saying, “When it rains, it pours.” I’ve been thinking a lot about that adage recently because there’s been quite a lot of pouring rain in my life over the past few months. A few weeks ago, I wrote about needing to take a leave of absence from … More It’s Been Pouring

people standing on pavement during rainy day

There’s Nothing Wrong with Everything Being Wrong

March 27, 2023

One of the things I love most about this website, apart from the short commute, is that it is brimming with people looking for a more nourishing and kinder life for themselves and others. I applaud that. I’ve drawn inspiration from it. And I hope we all continue to. Only problem is that sometimes people, … More There’s Nothing Wrong with Everything Being Wrong

Want to Write for Wise & Shine?

March 19, 2023

Hi, all. Wise & Shine is looking for a few new writers. If you’d like to apply to join the team, send samples of your writing via our “Contact” form. Please familiarize yourself with the sort of things our blog publishes before contacting us. We’ll send a set of writing guidelines to those who send … More Want to Write for Wise & Shine?

Whatever Happened to the Wise & Shine Podcast?

March 17, 2023

At the end of last year, this site started a podcast. We came up with a few topics and scheduled conversations, almost entirely among ourselves (those of us who publish our writings on the site). We then recorded those discussions and posted them. We were going at a great clip in the beginning. We managed … More Whatever Happened to the Wise & Shine Podcast?

unrecognizable person with poster of protect people

The Write Thing To Do

February 25, 2023

“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.” ― George Orwell I hate criticism. Yet, I open myself up to it all the time. Not just because I’m an idiot, but deliberately with my writing. As some of you know, I sometimes write about … More The Write Thing To Do

Would You Love a Pair of Jeans Travelling All Around the Planet?

February 12, 2023

Some time ago I saw a nice pair of jeans in a shopping centre, which were not even expensive. However, there was no label indicating its origin, where they were manufactured, basically I could not see the “made in”. It should be an obligation by law and curious as I am, I decided to start … More Would You Love a Pair of Jeans Travelling All Around the Planet?

Let Me Get This off My Chest

January 20, 2023

I’ve been putting off writing this for weeks, maybe months. I’ve been reluctant to admit that I’m going through a tough period right now. For the first time in my life, I’ve been having something similar to a “mid-life crisis,” but that’s not it exactly. I’m not sure there’s a name for what’s been bugging … More Let Me Get This off My Chest

Why Write in the Age of AI?

January 9, 2023

In a comment on a recent post about learning, a person asked my opinion about new technologies called Open AI (artificial intelligence) and ChatGPT. This software is causing quite a stir in academic realms and has even made CNN and Wall Street Journal. Douglas Rushkoff, a supporter of humanity and critic of modern technologies, discussed some … More Why Write in the Age of AI?

Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)

January 5, 2023

I’m currently reading The Tao of Willie: A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart, with “Willie” being the great Willie Nelson, musician and songwriter extraordinaire. As you might guess from the title, the book, coauthored by Nelson and Turk Pipkin, elucidates the singer’s philosophy of life, which was strongly influenced by Buddhist and Taoist … More Question of the Day (Inspired by the Red-headed Stranger)

Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023

January 3, 2023

In October of last year, Wise & Shine started a podcast. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be recording new episodes for your listening pleasure. Tuesday will be the day we publish new podcasts to the site. If you haven’t already done so, please have a listen to our recordings from 2022. We are interested in hearing … More Wise & Shine Podcasts in 2023

New Podcast: What Can the World Learn from Africa?

December 27, 2022

In the latest installment of the Wise & Shine podcast, I talk with Billy Osogo—one of our writers and a brilliant young man who lives in Nairobi, Kenya—about what the world can learn from Africa. In Billy’s very insightful response, he tells me about “Ubuntu” and a variety of other subjects. Have a listen and … More New Podcast: What Can the World Learn from Africa?

Want to Sober Up? Try Nature

December 22, 2022

Ego. Stature. Money. Talent. Race. Power. Gender. Religion. All the things we love to hate and hate to love. These things account for all the division, toxicity, and bile in our lives. They have a magnifying effect. Especially when one is benefiting from any (or a combination of these) they invoke a ‘larger-than-life’ aura. You … More Want to Sober Up? Try Nature

New Podcast: Soaring Over the Clouds with David!

December 20, 2022

On Wise & Shine’s newest podcast, I have an entertaining conversation with David (known as “AP2” on this site) about flying airplanes, writing, art, fatherhood, regrets, and other topics. After listening to our talk, check out David’s writing, including “Why I Write,” a piece that got 514 likes when it was first published.

Podcast: How Free Are We?

December 6, 2022

Are Americans freer than Europeans? Find out when Troy Headrick and Cristiana (“crisbiecoach”) have a thought-provoking discussion on freedom, enslavement, choice, possessions, money, and a variety of related topics.

Speed of Personal Development

November 29, 2022

Hello there! I hope everyone had a good start to their week! I just finished reading ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ by Robin Sharma. I had a couple of issues with the narration but what I want to talk about here is the issue with some of the content. Overall, I think the author … More Speed of Personal Development