So the President is dead, a victim of the pandemic he denied. I’ll spare you the hot take on how you should feel about it because it doesn’t really matter now. Time is a wave that continues to move forward, and in the grander scope of our collective journey, his sudden death will be no more special than yours or mine. The question we must ask ourselves at this moment is, what’s next?
Let’s frame our point of departure, the immediate present. Many things have changed over the past four years, and I imagine I speak for many when I…
Data trends are suggesting that the economic crisis is reaching a tipping point here in the United States. If my predictions are accurate and reach the threshold, there is unlikely to be any feasible plan for recovery for a significant number of Americans. Instead, we will likely see sharp increases in poverty, crime, food insecurity, and violence. We’ll explore these statistics to prepare ourselves better to fight against the tide.
11,697,000 people are estimated to face eviction over the next four months, according to an analysis by advisory firm Stout Risius Ross. Four million in August and September. The timer…
I’ve been reading a fascinating book called The Great Transformation: The Beginning of Our Religious Traditions. Author Karen Armstrong details the religious histories of the world during the Axial Age, approximately 900–200 BCE. One underlying theme I observe is the similarities between the struggle of ancient and modern humanity. It seems humanity’s quest for a transcendent living is always outside of our grasp.
The text explores how ancient cults became religions, many of which we still follow (to various degrees) today. New prophets often develop new interpretations of ancient texts, changing history to meet the needs of the times. Maintaining…
I imagine I’m not alone when I say the decision to break free from Facebook has been a struggle. For me, quitting has been an effort long considered but never acted upon. More and more, I find that Facebook user experience, operation, and leadership are incompatible with my beliefs. Leaving comes at a high cost, but if you share this desire, perhaps my story will help. It’s time to quit Facebook.
Recent life changes have me looking to stop time-wasting activities. When I take a moment to reflect on daily time sinks, Facebook ranks highly as one of the least…
Progressive candidates and elected officials have a lot on their plates. Typically, they find themselves surrounded by corporate-controlled individuals with little to no interest in making genuine change for the public good. Developing progressive strategies is a collective process, one where we can all learn from existing studies and each other. This strategy review focuses on the implementation of artificial intelligence programs at the local, state, and federal levels, pulling from an extensive study by Stanford University [1].
Artificial intelligence is already integrating at the federal government level. The Stanford study details how AI serves five core purposes today: enforcing…
My take on the current global movement originates from a place of substantial bias. I’ve been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for forty-seven percent of my life, fifty-eight percent if you count five years of wrestling prior. I have met and trained with many law enforcement officers who I consider good friends throughout the journey. They are people of tremendous integrity and character. I admire many of them, and they have always shown me kindness and patience. They are very angry at me right now.
Criticizing police has nothing to do with personal relationships; it is a discussion about self-organization. We can…
What will it take to wretch humanity free from our perpetual cycle of crisis? Whether it’s climate catastrophe, pandemic, or the ultra-violence and racism embedded into law enforcement — we inhabit moments of profound struggle. We know problems and solutions, yet the oligarchs in control accelerate catastrophe in every direction. The predictable response is to burn it down, but what will rise from the ashes? Do we need a new messiah to show us the way, or do we already have too many, and they are simply not enough?
Neo Jesus is easily interchangeable with Neo Moses, Neo Mohammad, Neo…
Always imagine three options before acting.
Three option theory is a single sentence to help expand imagination in times of need. Always imagine three options before acting. It’s not a practice for every task, just the ones that require it. Concise and straightforward, it can reveal hidden truths — if you can remember to use it.
At any given moment, there are more options available than we understand. Some may be unconventional, going against traditional understanding and knowledge. Others hidden in plain sight. Few will be ideal, and many will disappoint, but they exist. The defining factor of universal humanity is our ability to transcend circumstances…
Students and educators alike are undergoing a frustrating experiment because of COVID-19. They’re exploring what happens when our learning experience evolves without advancing the type of education it provides. It’s a process that will work itself out over time, but what better time to start than now? Progressing education in the COVID era is something every teacher can do. We’ll explore how.
Why should the type of education we offer change? Depending on location and personal beliefs it can be a very weighted question. This exploration takes the stance that education is the cornerstone of successful societies. It is in…
Ignore anyone who tells you that there will be a return to normal economic activity after the pandemic. COVID-19 is reshaping everything about the way we exchange and interact. Businesses relying on recently extinct social norms are facing grim futures, many will close within the next two years. It’s a sad reality, but change is omnidirectional. There’s never been a better time to be an entrepreneur, because everything is new. We’ll explore a multifaceted approach to the new economy, connecting the dots of our broader circumstance to identify opportunities.
It cannot be stressed enough; everything is different now. All of…
Ron Rivers
Exploring transcendent humanity by connecting the dots between systems and self. https://ronrivers.com / @riversmind
