Below is a list of essays and journal entries that were mainly about philosophical concepts and/or cultural critiques. Most recent to oldest.
Corporations, Ideology, People, and Ethical Action
This essay critiques the American culture of excessive materialistic consumerism, advocates ethical consumption of goods/services, and the prevention of ideological highjacking of discourse.
Death Anxiety & the Late Night Urination Debacle
This essay is based on a story about one of my experiences camping out in the Badlands in South Dakota in September. I found myself in a predicament, as the title hints towards, and the ensuing experience sparked provocative thoughts about fear, Death Anxiety, and present-mindedness.
The Breaking Point of American Culture
A brief journal entry about the current economic crisis in the United States. The entry lays out a brief argument that contends the crisis is exposing a lack that is more pressing than the lack of jobs: a lack of spiritual fortitude within the American culture that is a consequence of rampant consumerism and emphasis on material wealth. An additional part was added on, which includes an excerpt from a David Foster Wallace interview from 2003 about this very same topic.
Off the Beaten Path
An essay intertwined with a story about hiking in the Badlands in South Dakota. Topics covered include the concept of Industrial Tourism, a term introduced by Edward Abbey in his magnum opus "Desert Solitude", of which an excerpt is included here, the problem of duality, and authenticity of experience.
David Foster Wallace "This is Water": Introduction by Me
David Foster Wallace was one of the most influential writers in the contemporary era in American literature. He gave an inspirational commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005. The speech attempts to answer two essential questions for one's life: How does one keep from going through their comfortable, prosperous adult life unconsciously? How do we get ourselves out of the foreground of our thoughts and achieve compassion? Also included is my introduction, which includes a confession about my worship of intellect as a defense mechanism for my own Death Anxiety.
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