Author Archives: authorbengarrido
Probability vs Atheism
Atheists have two basic arguments for the non-existence of God(s). The first is the problem of evil. God is omnipotent, omniscient and all good. If God as such exists, how can we explain the existence of evil? A good God would not create evil, an omnipotent God could erase evil and an omniscient God would […]
A Non-Patriot’s Guide to Liking America
Patriotism is such a loaded term. If I say I’m not patriotic, people with star spangled wind chimes and confusion regarding the nature of medicare will grumble and utter nonsense like “love it or leave it.” If I say I like America, people with fair trade arugula salads and romantic notions of camping in one’s […]
문맹을 지원하고 무법주의를 인식함
This is my speech about Confucius and Socrates for Toastmasters. If you’d like to read in in English, please click here. 여기 저의 넷번쩨 토스트마스터스 연설입니다. 영어로 쓴 각본은 여기 있습니다. 법의 지배는 사악한 것입니다. 법의 지배는 반사회적인 폭력과 혁명라고 의미합니다. 혼란 있을 때 법도 있습니다. 예멘과 소말리아가튼 나라들 항상 새로운 법을 만들고 있지만 그런 나라들 […]
You Don’t Know Jack, Part Two
Law, the entire concept of law, is perverse. It is anti-social. It is the root of violence and revolution. It is the cause, not the cure, for failed countries like Somalia. It looks like it promotes order, but it actually sows the seeds of chaos whenever it arises. Please join me. Please, help me free […]
Guide to Basic Moral Systems
Guide to Basic Moral Systems (영어회화 1 학생 내용 스터디가이드) 도덕의 시스템을 한국어로 공부하고 싶으면 파랑색 린크를 크릭해 보세요. 한국어로 쓴 자료 유익하지만 영어로 쓴 것도 읽어야 합니다. 너무 어려면, 저에개 연력해 주세요. Morality is subjective (주관적). It’s a feeling, or a set of prejudices or a group of habits. Because of this, the first […]
Simple Things
Food. What does that word make you think of? Rich gravy, smothering juicy turkey breast and mashed potatoes? Poly-unsaturated fats and the state of your arteries? Fresh bread so soft it melts on your lips? Guilt about starving children in Ethiopia? A vague hope that your guests might think “this stir fry is amazing, the […]
Hostile Takeovers
Melissa, 11 or 12 years-old and dressed in an expensive yellow vest with fur lining, walked with the rigidity and formality of a senior vice president for human resources. She stood before Jenny and spoke with a seriousness both upbeat and weaponized. “I’m not your friend anymore,” Melissa said. “The circumstances make that impossible. I […]
Word Shape
I recently did a writing exercise with Karen Terrey where we attempted to associate words not by meaning, but by shape or sound. The idea was to open up new avenues of connection in our writing. This is what I came up with, beginning with the word defenestrate. You might have more fun reading this […]
Being Lazy, Making Cool Stuff
Ladies and gentlemen, I first want to thank you for reading my blog. I do not take your attentions for granted. You may have noticed that I haven’t produced anything recently and for that I apologize. It’s not laziness, or at least not totally laziness. I’m working on some big projects that are sucking up […]
Short Thoughts in Two Parts
Reflecting on the New Year: I’m really bad about saying yes. When I pick up the phone and talk to the guy who can make a really cool racing part and then decline the opportunity because I want to save money for delux dry-cleaning, I’m saying no when I should say yes. When I turn […]
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