Simon's Blog

Today more than ever, Republicans and Democrats agree on very little. Roughly 73% of the public believe that the two parties not only disagree on policy but also on “basic facts.” This divide runs so deep that most people believe that no good ideas can originate from the opposing side. Historically, this split is rooted in philosophy: Republicans tend to lean toward individualism and smaller government, often viewing federal involvement as a wasteful obstacle. Conversely, Democrats emphasize collectivism and a more active government, believing federal oversight is essential to improving the quality of life. However, party platforms alone don't fully explain this division. While many researchers argue that the media profits by polarizing viewers, media influence is only one piece of the puzzle. On social media communities, we have effectively sorted ourselves into "bubbles" with little exposure to differing perspectives. To bridge this divide, we must first address the psy...

In case we have another emergency situation like 2020, I thought it would be wise for us to mentally prepare. We were frequently told to wear masks and get vaccinated against COVID-19, yet we seem to have forgotten the basic foundations of protecting ourselves against pathogens. We have developed a dangerous and self-destructive dependence on governments, doctors, and social media gurus for our safety. While I am not suggesting we ignore experts who possess specialized knowledge, we must stop relying blindly on their advice; doing so is walking in darkness, unaware that a precipice lies ahead. Our immune system is an extraordinarily complex foundation that should be our primary concern. It took nature eons to construct this elaborate, flexible system that works symbiotically to keep us healthy. When our immune system recognizes invaders, it attacks and remedies the threat. However, our first line of defense should always be a healthy lifestyle. While medical intervention is sometimes ...

Some time ago, I took the ferry to Blake Island. It was once home to the Suquamish tribe and the birthplace of Chief Sealth, the man for whom Seattle was named. The two-hour crossing was long, and I had arrived hungry, assuming food would be easy to find. At a small cafe near the dock, I saw peanuts on the menu for $2. When I asked for a bag, the clerk told me to wait a minute and disappeared into the back. He returned hauling two crates overflowing with snacks, none of which were peanuts. He didn't speak to me. Instead, he looked right past me to the next person in line. “Where are the peanuts?” I asked. “Oh,” he muttered. “I thought I told you. We’re out.” Confused and ignored, I settled for a bag of chips. When I finally reached the longhouse on the island, the atmosphere shifted. Patrons handed out clams to the crowd as we filed inside, where an all-you-can-eat buffet had been laid out. There was something bizarre about an “all you can eat ” buffet inside of a Native American l...

We are hiking the Olympic Peninsula, enamored by the beauty. It’s absolutely amazing how much of God’s wonderful artwork exists in Washington State. As I breathe in the air and witness the sheer scale of the Puget Sound, I am grateful and wonderfully entranced by this spectacular design. Why would all this beauty be entrusted to us? Does nature truly believe we are capable of protecting and conserving its magnificent resources? It has to be given from love; my only conclusion. There would be no reason to endow us with such gifts if wasn’t love. Trying to describe God or Mother Nature seems futile. We are limited by our language, unable to fully articulate exactly what we see or experience. Our perceptions are constrained by our senses, and our senses are incapable of processing the sheer amount of information that exists in this limitless world. We absorb much more than we will ever know. We see forms and objects, but not the true nature of things. Often, we only glimpse nature’s raw b...