Society and Culture
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On Confidence
Confidence is not about being certain. It is not about being loud or visible, nor is it about strength, success or control. True confidence is quiet, residing in honesty and the willingness to face brutal truths. It is the refusal… Continue reading
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On Consumerism
We are told that if we stop buying, the world will fall apart. The shelves will empty, the jobs will vanish, the system will collapse. Perhaps it would, if the only thing keeping the system in place is our willingness… Continue reading
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On Play
Play is not always freedom, nor is it always joy. The often-shared quote by Plato — “Life must be lived as play” — encourages us to loosen up, laugh more and take life less seriously. We are told it is… Continue reading
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On Vulnerability
Vulnerability is not the opposite of strength. But that is how it often feels. We are taught to build walls. We are encouraged to be rational, self-sufficient and immune to disorder and chaos. We should be disciplined and in control… Continue reading
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On Curated Identities
The concept of identity is shifting. What we understand as the self is no longer private or fixed, but rather a curated performance made for public consumption. Social media, in particular, turns our everyday moments into stages where what we… Continue reading
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On Work
We are told to take pride in our work, find purpose in it, and ultimately, tie our identity to it. But what if the problem is that work asks for too much and offers too little in return? Many of… Continue reading
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On Marketing
Those in marketing are not always dishonest, but they do deal in distraction and the delivery of sleek performances, which often mask a lack of substance. They bring enthusiasm without sincerity, confidence without credibility, and engage in the quiet art… Continue reading
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On Kindness
Kindness is more than what it seems. Increasingly, the word is used to soften the edges of discomfort, seeking to shield us from disagreement and prevent confrontation. In this form, it becomes less about connection and more about control. It… Continue reading
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On Attention
Attention is not a skill. It is a stance – a way of being in the world. It is not something we use, but something we offer, and lately, it seems that many people have forgotten how to really offer… Continue reading
Jack Bilson On... 