My Blog

I can see your questioning eyes, your weirded out glance in my general direction. “Yo,” you say. “So, like, what’s up with this blog, man? Like, why?”

One key aspect of this blog is that it’s not just my personal views and interaction with the world. Granted those things will influence what I write about and what bias I have, but it’s not just a platform for me to describe the food I ate today or what pet peeve I’m currently agitating against. My favorite things to read are things that I can learn something from. There are so many books and articles and essays that are out in the world that I must necessarily be very selective about what I choose to read. No matter how much I wish I could, I am unable to read every novel or short story or blog that catches my eye. Therefore, I narrow down my search for good material based on two questions.

One: “Is it interesting?” This question is probably the most common, the one everyone uses to determine whether or not they will continue to read whatever material they have in their hands at the moment. Unfortunately, it’s usually the only one. While I will admit that this should play a major role in what information you choose to absorb, it is fairly useless without an affirmative answer to the second question:

Two: “Will it teach me something new?” This one is the kicker, and probably not as common as the former. Not everyone is looking to learn something. Take a look at the magazines that grace the front shelves of many bookstores and supermarkets. More often than not you will find that they are tabloids, spewing vitriol and misinformation alike, with such incendiary covers as “Prince William Gives Birth to Three-Headed Dog!” and “Duo of Elvis Impersonators Go On Casino Rampage!” Fascinating yes, but worth taking up even a small amount of the time you have on planet Earth to read? That is, of course, your decision. Mine is that it’s not, usually. This isn’t to say that every time I read something I need to learn interesting facts. I enjoy a good series like the Hunger Games or Artemis Fowl like any other bibliophile. But I try to balance those out with useful, interesting, informational texts as well.

My mother describes books that only satisfy the first question with a very apt metaphor: brain candy. Sure, it’s fun but… once you’re finished you’re not very full. In this case, intellectually. So after consuming the simple sugars known as James Patterson novels it can be nice to round off the meal with something more substantial, like scientific studies about topics you’re interested in, or expand your vocabulary by reading 19th century British literature. Try to become a snob with me. It’s fun!

I try to incorporate both questions into my blog. If I just learned something I want to share with the world, I’ll present it in the most interesting way I know how and hope that you get some measure of enjoyment out of it as well. Will I always succeed? Probably not, but I think it’s worth trying. So I will.

Anyway, that’s all I’ve got- for now. Enjoy the site!