Author: Edward Ortiz

Book Review: Bittersweet

Bittersweet—that’s a word we hear often, probably several times a week. My 1995 Webster’s New World Dictionary defines it as "pleasure mixed with sadness,” which is okay, but not nearly as powerful as how Susan Cain describes it in her wonderful book, Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole. Here is Susan’s description: “The … Continue reading Book Review: Bittersweet →

Neighbors in Need: A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference

My plan for today was to review the final draft of a book review I’m working on and then publish it, but my heart is pulling me toward writing about something more important: hunger relief. As you all know, politicians in Washington, D.C. are fighting each other, cutting budgets, and working on legislation that is … Continue reading Neighbors in Need: A Simple Way to Make a Big Difference →

This Isn’t About Standards. It’s About Suppressing Women in the Military

Today, I want to share some thoughts about what we keep hearing in the media—that we need to raise the standards in the military and revive lethality and the Warrior Ethos. By the way, for those who may not know, here is the U.S. Army Warrior Ethos:1 I will always place the mission first. I … Continue reading This Isn’t About Standards. It’s About Suppressing Women in the Military →

From Army Plans to Dinner Plans: Discovering Robin & Willow

I’ve been blogging for over a year and a half now, writing about social issues, politics, philosophy, book reviews, music, and publishing poems from my grandfather-in-law—even including a couple of my own poems. But after reviewing all my posts, I realized I’ve never blogged about food or recipes per se, so I figured today’s the … Continue reading From Army Plans to Dinner Plans: Discovering Robin & Willow →

On Learning and The Information Environment

While reading Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, specifically the chapter on learning wisdom in old age, I came across the following passage: “You should keep learning as long as you are ignorant—even to the end of your life, if there is anything in the proverb. And the proverb suits the present case as well … Continue reading On Learning and The Information Environment →

Rockin’ Thursday LVII

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Here’s how the World Health Organization defines child abuse and maltreatment: "Child maltreatment is the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence, and commercial or other exploitation, which results in … Continue reading Rockin’ Thursday LVII →

Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection

"While you live, while you may, become good.” – Marcus Aurelius It seems that the subject of immortality has entered my world over the past couple of months. First, I watched a Netflix documentary, Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever, which narrates the bizarre experiment that Bryan Johnson, a tech millionaire, is … Continue reading Chasing Immortality: A Philosophical and Political Reflection →