Creativity, Genius, and the Nature of Understanding
I’ve been labeled a “genius” by various well-meaning folks over the years. Some of them even dared to slap on the more flattering “creative genius” tag. I suppose I should be flattered, but honestly, I’ve always found it a bit bewildering. Maybe it’s my tragic flaw, but I just don’t see it. Sure, I’ve got […]
Why You Should Be an Enemy of All That You Read
There’s an old quote by Ibn Al-Haytham — Alhazen as he’s known in the West — where he declares, “The duty of the man who investigates the writings of scientists, if learning the truth is his goal, is to make himself an enemy of all that he reads.” Now, Alhazen is mostly known for his […]
Reflections on the Alter Ego
We all have that shadowy figure lurking in the recesses of our minds, often referred to as the alter ego. For some of us, it’s a full-blown, caped crusader with a catchy name and a flair for the dramatic. For others, it’s a slightly more polished version of ourselves, the one that doesn’t spill coffee […]
Confessions of a Brainwork Addict
brainwork – mental activity or effort, especially as opposed to physical labor. To this day, my brain constantly itches. Daily I suffer from the unbearable boredom of not being challenged enough. I imagine it’s the same sort of itch that plagued Sherlock Holmes whenever he wasn’t solving a murder or deciphering a cryptic note. As […]
Before You Become a Great Writer, You Must Write Badly
When I was growing up in the nineties, grunge was king, the internet made a noise like a dying robot when it connected, and people weren’t afraid to tell you the hard, sometimes brutal truth. I miss that brutal honesty the most. Back then, getting to the top of your class involved being really bad […]
Why I Will Never Be a Determinist Philosopher
There’s something about determinist philosophy that makes me want to bang my head against a wall. I’ve read plenty of things that make me pause and wonder, “Is it just me, or is this absolute nonsense?” Of course, I’ve never claimed to be infallible. But sometimes, I can’t help but feel like some ideas need […]
Why Failure Is Inevitable When You Let Your Guard Down
“Failure runs parallel to letting your guard down.” – Eric Longenhagen & Kiley McDaniel, Future Value No matter how hard you try to prevent it, failure will happen in your life. It’s an unavoidable part of being human, especially when you have your guard down. Sometimes you think it’s safe to relax and let your […]
Why Are We Here?
Why are we here? It’s one of those questions that people toss around at 2 AM when the silence is too loud. I imagine most people just settle for the answers they’re handed — religion, destiny, or some vague notion of karma. Otherwise, facing the absurdity of it all head-on is enough to make you […]
Midnight Muses and the Eternal Struggle of the Overactive Mind
There’s a particular kind of madness that strikes in the dead of night. When sleep eludes me, my mind, a restless tyrant, decides to throw a parade of fleeting thoughts. Sheer brilliance flashes in those moments but, by morning, rarely do I remember what any of it meant. My unconscious mind, in its infinite wisdom, […]