The Hopeless Nature Of Hoping

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end — which you can never afford to lose — with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality.” – VIETNAM WAR. ADMIRAL JAMES STOCKDALE  Do you want to know the one reason you’re not happy right now?  It’s because you’re hoping for something different.  It’s as simple as that.  … Continue reading The Hopeless Nature Of Hoping

A condition for meaningfulness?

Recently, my teammate AP2 published a touching post about life’s meaning. A major point he sought to make was this: “our lives hold as much meaning as we give them” which he connects with the danger of losing a sense of meaningfulness, the danger of getting swallowed up by a personal existential nihilism, of becoming trapped in the darkness of perceived and felt pointlessness. This … Continue reading A condition for meaningfulness?

On Freeing the Enslaved

By Troy Headrick There are two kinds of slaves:  Those who don’t realize they are enslaved and those who know their status but don’t know how to free themselves.  In my previous blog, the one that described the problem of intellectual enslavement, I focused mostly on discussing political manipulation by demagogues.  In fact, this blog, which aims to set out solutions, deals with intellectual slavery … Continue reading On Freeing the Enslaved

ON THE TRUTHS WE HOLD, THE POWER OF WORDS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Happy New Year! I recently watched in shock the chaotic scenes at the US Capitol building. The brazzen attempt to subvert democracy seemed almost impossible for the world’s most advanced democracy. Another reminder that democracy, like a baby, needs round-the-clock tending to. Even more reason to look forward to January 20th. One hopes that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris bring much needed change to Washington, … Continue reading ON THE TRUTHS WE HOLD, THE POWER OF WORDS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

A Big Thank You (With Gifts)

By Troy Headrick It seems I’ve been a good boy this year because I’ve received more than my fair share of gifts recently.  I’m not talking about glittery objects placed under the tree or the proverbial stocking stuffed full of goodies.  I’m referring to all the wonderful things that you, dear readers, have gifted me during this 2020. One of my favorite things about writing … Continue reading A Big Thank You (With Gifts)

This Year, Let’s Keep The Days Out Of The Holidays

By Jack Canfora It’s sooo on brand for 2020 that it’s a Leap Year. No, no, 365 days weren’t enough for this Annus Horribilis (and yes, you’d better believe I triple checked the spelling on that first word): it was so overflowing with awfulness, so teeming with terribleness, so rife with wretchedness, it needed an extra day to pack all of its surfeit of suffering … Continue reading This Year, Let’s Keep The Days Out Of The Holidays

SnapDragon Speaks: On The Apology.

I’m sorry, yo. For a lot of little and not-so-little things. . . . I’m sorry for all the times I thought I knew better; I’m sorry for not realizing the limitations of my own world view. I’m sorry for making To-Do Lists while you gave instructions I later needed. I’m sorry for snapping when you asked a question I already answered. I’m sorry for … Continue reading SnapDragon Speaks: On The Apology.

Captain Hindsight

There’s a character from the popular sitcom South Park called Captain Hindsight. For those who’ve not seen it, Captain Hindsight is a super hero (of sorts) who shows up to the scene of a disaster while it’s taking place. He then “helps” the people in need by making a stirring speech about all the ways everyone should have acted to prevent the tragedy from happening in the first place. … Continue reading Captain Hindsight

The Art of the Siphon

By Troy Headrick Many of you know that I’m an American who spent nearly two decades living and working abroad.  During the time I’m referring to, I resided in Poland, the UAE, Turkey, and Egypt.  I taught writing, literature, philosophy, research methods, and critical thinking at universities and colleges in those locales. I got spoiled while living in those faraway places.  I signed contracts with … Continue reading The Art of the Siphon