A Thought: On the Failure of Civics Teachers

Every time something like the government shutdown incites such vehement, polarizing, vitriolic fervor in the media and, by extension, here on the internet, I am reminded that so many civics teachers, whether out of simple ignorance or cynical personal bias, failed to do the one job with which they were entrusted; educating Americans on the basic, fundamental ways in which our government functions. Read more!

A Thought: On Attacking the Solution

To acknowledge a problem and attack those who offer a solution without proffering your own is foolish. Read more!

Conversations: An Unhealthy Preoccupation With Cake

Friend: Ever think, clearly and rationally, that you shouldn't have cake, so you decide not to have cake, and then all you can think about is how badly you want cake?

 Me: Nope. I can see no clear, rational line of thinking that would lead to not choosing to have cake.

 

F: Well in this instance the cake is a metaphor.

 

M: For what?

F: Sex.

M: I knew that.

F: You just wanted me to say it?

 

M: I did.

F: Mean.

M: I like to think I'm actually straight-out evil, but sure. I'm teaching you to use metaphors.

F: I always use metaphors.

 

M: And that's fine, but you shouldn't use ones that don't make sense. Like those that assume anyone 

would ever not choose cake.

 

F: I can't think of anything else that works.

 

M: Because cake is the only thing on par with sex. I see your problem.

F: I'm actually fairly sure that you do, yes.

Read more!

You know you're in grad school...

When you start to move into another room of your house and think, "Wait, I need to be reading something," than chuckle with relief because you know there's at least a few books in every room to choose from, and you've got assigned reading in those, too. Read more!

A Thought: On the Burden and Blessing of Perception

It's the unfortunate burden, and consummate blessing, of those able to see evil in the world that they will often find themselves in a place to do good. Read more!

A Thought: On the Importance of Doors

Building castles around the heart is important, but you've got to remember to put a door, else you'll starve the soul. Read more!

::Grinds teeth::

As a person in a terminal Master's program with nearly as many credit and lab requirements as a Ph.D. program, I have come to loathe the feeling I get every time someone in a doctorate field asks, "Why aren't you going for your Ph.D.?" or someone in another, far less intensive Master's program asks what's taking me so long.

You people are paying for my inevitable dental bills. Read more!

A Thought: On Unjust Veneration

While loss of life is always tragic, and to die young even more so, those who die as a result of their own foolish action should be remembered, at best, as cautionary tales, not venerated as heroes.
Read more!

A Thought: On the Responsibility of Change

I don't care for statements like, "Money changes people," or, "Power corrupts." They remove all responsibility from the person changing for the subsequent change.

A more accurate statement would be that people with money or power change. Nothing outside ourselves can force a particular change upon us. While we are often faced with situations which require adaptation, we always have a choice in how we are changed by them and rarely are the changes we make irreversible. Read more!

A Thought: On the Unbearable Burden of Pants

Did you ever find out that you had to do something and just think to yourself, "I feel like I've met my pants-wearing quota for the day?" Read more!

A Thought: On Relative Time

At what point in my life did things go so horribly awry that I now consider 9:30am a late morning appointment? Read more!

A Thought: On the Necessity of Primary Sources

I treat arguments over information found on the internet, be they scientific, political or otherwise, the same way I do those about religion or The Constitution.

If you only have a passing familiarity with the primary source, I'm not likely to give it much time or credence. Read more!

A Thought: On Keeping Around the Better Parts

If someone's been in your life for the better part of a decade or more and you still consider them one of the better parts, chances are, they're worth keeping around. Read more!

eBay...

Because it isn't just in games that you should get to scream, "Damn it! Just put a buy it now button!" at the idiots who think that their real life greys are going to start a bidding war. Read more!

A Thought: On the Burden of Self-Awareness

It is not enough to recognize your flaws. Once you've done so, you have a responsibility to do everything you can to rectify them.

It may be a battle that lasts a lifetime, but it will be one that is always worth fighting. Read more!