As thought-provoking as this book was, I am GLAD to be done reading, discussing, and thinking about it. “When Breath Becomes Air” was written by Paul Kalanithi after he was diagnosed with cancer at 36. He was in his last year of neurosurgery residency (read: he had his whole career ahead of him) at the time. The book is interesting in many ways. First, he’s both the doctor and the…
Philosophy
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writing || altruism or egoism: the merits of selfishness in an idealist’s world
Would our society be better if most of us were altruistic (did things genuinely for the benefit of others) or egoistic (put our own needs and wants first)? And further, what about our own well-being? What’s the best way to live your own life? University…
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writing || We are what we can control: an argument for Nature, not Nurture
The circumstances of our births are instrumental in determining who we are to become. However, to what degree do they cement our fates and make up who we are as people? The question of whether our innate human nature or the conditions of our nurturing…
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writing || The Postmodern Problem: A Critique of Postmodernism in Politics
This essay was largely inspired by Jordan Peterson and the many controversies happening recently in Canada. It was written for my politics class, but when I started working on it I realized that I wasn’t producing or saying what I wanted to given the format…
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writing || The Problems with Affirmative Action
This was a short essay for my grade 12 politics class. It had to be about a controversial topic, so I chose affirmative action and argued against it. Equality for everyone – regardless of race, sex, appearance, ability, and social status is perhaps the largest…
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writing || Wow: “Nation” by Terry Pratchett
Just finished reading “Nation” by Terry Pratchett! It’s a 5-star in my Goodreads! But before I start talking about it, here’s its Goodreads synopsis: Synopsis Alone on a desert island — everything and everyone he knows and loves has been washed away in a storm…
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writing || The Media and our Mental Health: Solutions to our Consumption Culture
A few weekends ago, I decided to try a social media blackout. Not for any particular reason but to see how it’d feel. Like many others, I too am addicted to my phone, social media, the constant pings that reach out to me from distances…
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writing || World Religions: Thoughts on the Course
Studying religion at a Catholic school has been fascinating, albeit rather challenging. Although I am a Christian, and still celebrate Christian holidays with my friends and family, my relationship to God, the universe, the energies and spirits or whatever is out there is my own,…
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writing || The Case for Non-Theism: The Strengths of Buddhism
There are two things all religions seem to know for certain: 1. God is Good. 2. We are all a part of God’s masterfully orchestrated plan. Everything that happens is meant to happen. I’ve always puzzled over the idea of destiny. Everything that we are,…