In October I gave a TEDx talk at Columbia College. It just came online today. Essence of the talk is how our worldview is negatively affected by good stories.
We live in a society where romantic love is idealized: if we search long enough, we will find “the one,” the soulmate who is perfect for us, who will grow and change at the exact same rate we do, who loves us exactly as we are and never expects us to change, who always wants us sexually, never has bad breath or gets grouchy, and is perfectly desirable in every way. We expect our partner to fully meet us on an intellectual, physical, sexual, and spiritual basis; to be our lover, best friend, a companion, confidante, confessor, therapist, and family, all rolled into one. This sets up monumental expectations which all of us invariably fall short of.
“
| — |
Complement with Elizabeth Gilbert on what a soulmate is and isn’t. (via explore-blog) |
I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.
-Malcolm X (5/19/25 – 2/21/65), born Malcolm Little & also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Arabic: الحاجّ مالك الشباز).
“
| — | (via ninamosely2011) |
“Here you way out in the middle of the ocean, can’t swim, and you worried about someone that’s in the bathtub, and can’t swim.”
- Malcolm X
