Simon

Part 1: Deny Trauma I just started reading the book, “The Courage to Be Disliked" by Ichiro Kishimi. The book is structured as a series of conversations between a young man and a philosopher whose teachings are rooted in the psychology of Alfred Adler. I am also reading Determinism by Robert Sapolsky. It is fascinating to read them simultaneously because they offer completely opposing perspectives. The first part of “The Courage to Be Disliked” would be entirely rejected by Sapolsky, as one who argues against free will while the other does not. They offer vastly different views on the nature of happiness. According to Adler, the past does not matter. It’s about setting goals and finding the courage to be happy. In the first section of “The Courage to Be Disliked”, the author states that trauma does not exist. When the young man asked, "Wait a minute! Are you denying the existence of trauma altogether?" the philosopher responds adamantly, "Yes, I am." To me, hi...

While watching the Korean drama The Veil, I found myself struggling to keep pace with its plot transitions. In seeking some clarity, I turned to Google Gemini, which revealed a profound metaphor flowing throughout all the plot references: a dynamic relationship between the Sun and the Shadow. The metaphor reveals that the Sun represents the state—a beacon of light meant to protect the public—yet one that can become dangerously blinding. When the Sun grows too powerful, it obscures the damages it inflicts, allowing leaders to believe that any action, even murder is justified. Then, there are the "Shadows," who exist solely to serve the light, possessing no autonomy or objectivity of their own. This power dynamic serves as the catalyst for the show’s most intense conflicts, particularly when a shadow is forcibly severed from the light. The antagonist Baek Mo-sa, exemplifies this trauma. Once a loyal agent, his abandonment leaves him seeking vengeance against the very Sun he on...

Kazem: Let’s stop the games. The Islamic Republic demands a total exit of US forces from our borders. Lift the sanctions, unfreeze every cent of our sovereign funds, and pull your carriers out of the Strait. My people are tired of this economic terrorism. We’re done talking. Trump: Look, Kazem—can I call you Kazem? That’s a lot of "demands" for a guy whose economy is in the toilet. You’ve got nothing. We’re staying exactly where we are because we like the view. You want us to leave? Make us. But spoiler alert: you can't. Get used to it. Kazem: You think your distance makes you safe? Maybe we should bring the "view" to your shores. Perhaps an invasion would teach the American public the cost of your arrogance. Trump:  An invasion? With what? You’ve got those little speedboats that look like toys. We have three carrier strike groups sitting right off your coast. If you even look at us the wrong way, Iran becomes the world’s largest parking lot. We’ll turn ...

This flight to Kuala Lumpur was the first time I had ever observed a flight attendant spraying an aerosol in the cabin mid-flight. With a bit of research, I learned that this is actually a mandated practice known as "aircraft disinfection." The product used was Aero-Sense ASD-100, a specialized, commercial-grade aircraft insecticide. Many international aviation regulations require airlines to spray this product on specific routes to eliminate hitchhiking insects, ultimately preventing the spread of diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever.  According to public health and aviation data, the formula is considered extremely safe for passengers.  Still, who am I to question the experts?

No where is the "Tragedy of the Commons" played out more clearly than in the major cities around the globe. We have reached an era where individual car ownership is no longer a necessity, but a burden on the collective. While owning an automobile was once convenient—perhaps even essential—the physical limits of our urban centers have been reached. Today, the decision to own and operate a vehicle often ignores the environmental, social, and structural costs imposed on the community. In dense cities, land is a finite resource; every acre used for parking or sprawling interchanges is an acre stolen from schools, libraries, or green spaces. By prioritizing the convenience of the automobile, we have inadvertently eroded the quality of life for everyone. The current road crisis is best understood through the lens of "the commons"—resources held in trust for the benefit of the entire community rather than a single entity. Historically, commons were managed through local s...

Authenticity is one of those topics that’s both deeply personal and intensely academic. Often, it’s about how we feel vs how we think. Defining Authenticity Authenticity is the alignment of internal beliefs and values and our external actions. It is the state where your beliefs and values match your actions. Why is it difficult? Living this way is extremely hard because we are biologically wired for belonging and to be part of a community. Evolutionarily, being cast out of the "tribe" meant not only abandonment but death. To be authentic often requires us to risk disapproval, break norms, or disappoint the people we love. It’s a constant negotiation between the need to be real and the need to be accepted. Peeling Back the Onion Peeling back the onion is an excellent starting point because it acknowledges that much of our identity is inherited, not chosen. We are born into "scripts"—religious, cultural, and familial—that we follow before we even know we have a ch...

Recent headlines regarding New York real estate and City Mayor Mandami’s proposal for a "luxury second-home tax"—targeting properties valued over $5 million—sparked my curiosity. This specific policy directed at the ultra-wealthy led me to research the various loopholes this group utilizes to protect their capital. After exploring the strategies the "extra rich" implement to store their wealth, several sophisticated methods came to light. The Invisible Vaults: Freeports The first method involves the use of Freeports to hide and store assets. It is helpful to visualize Freeports as massive, high-security locker rooms for the world's most valuable items, tucked away in secretive locations globally. When an item enters a Freeport, it is legally considered "in transit." As long as the asset remains within the facility, it cannot be taxed. This leads to a curious phenomenon: why go to such extremes to store wealth if you cannot even enjoy the items? The ...

Preamble: The Way of Water We, Divine Beings, recognize our immense creative power and our responsibility to the Tao. We acknowledge constant change, commitment to unlearning, and shedding the ego. Article I: Five Pillars of Conduct All interactions are governed by the 5 Agreements : Impeccability of Word: We speak with integrity and truth Internal Sovereignty: We take nothing personally and recognize that the actions of others are reflections of their own internal landscapes Path of Clarity: We ask questions for clarity and are direct in our desires Fluid Standard: We always do our best Discerning Presence: We remain skeptical, but listen deeply to the intent of others Article II: Eight-Fold Flow Our spiritual development follow these paths: Path Application in the Charter Understanding Acceptance of Change Intention Rooted in Love & Compassion . Speech Positive and Constructive Livelihood In Harmony with Earth and Spir...