I’ve been seeing the documentary “Plandemic” circulate around social media the past couple of days, and I’d like to address a few things about the root causes of the problem mentioned in it. I watched it, and want to understand what is causing people to share it and other theories about COVID-19.

First, so that we can make sure we’re on the same page: I think the simplest solution is that COVID-19 is just a global viral pandemic. These things happen, and we know they’re going to happen. They happened before with the Spanish Flu, Black Death, etc. They will…

This morning I saw a blog post by, and then saw a tweet by, and then received an email from a higher up at SB Nation. In short, California recently passed a law that requires that “gig” workers be made actual employees, and that they be compensated accordingly. While the law has come under scrutiny from both gig workers and employers, I think it’s at least a step in the right direction. People being fairly compensated is good, and for the amount of work some site managers put in, I think it’s deserved.

Unfortunately, Vox Media, which owns SB Nation…

The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can…

So sings Bilbo Baggins as he sets out from Hobbiton on his way to Rivendell after his eleventy first birthday. It’s easy to find comfort in home. For 23 years Arkansas has been home, and it has certainly been comfortable. Between Fayetteville and Benton, I’ve found friends and family at every juncture, and those friends and family have molded me into a better person each step of the way. But I always…

November 5, 2022 will probably be a beautiful day in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The crisp fall air will likely be whipping through the Ozarks, as the leaves start to fall from the trees, leaving a kaleidoscopic display of foliage both on campus and off. Spirits will be high, as some 80,000 people gather to cheer on the Razorback football team. But festivities will be marred by a looming shadow, because on November 5, 2022, Arkansas will play host to Liberty University.

Normally, there wouldn’t be much to examine in the case of a football game. Sure, there could be the usual…

The past week has presented me with several opportunities to examine the state of racial justice in America, as well as the opportunity to examine where I stand in that discussion. I have always considered myself to be an ally to people of color, but have not taken as much time to examine what that means. In a world of ineffective activism, such as change.org petitions or Facebook profile filters, how can one be an ally in more than name?

Over the weekend, I watched Spike Lee’s latest film BlacKkKlansman. The movie tells the true tale of Ron Stallworth (John…

As I have previously discussed, summer of 2018 has been my “Summer of Improvement.” I’ve attempted to take little steps to change the direction of my life toward a more positive destination. I’m searching for a path on which I’m content, but still hungry for more. Part of this process has been trying to form new habits, and part of the motivation of that process is the adoption of a mantra I’ve stolen from The Ringer’s Shea Serrano.

“Shoot your shot” is a phrase containing three simple words that have propelled me forward in just about every facet of…

“What are you going to do with an English degree?”

I heard these words a countless number of times as I navigated through my college years. Countless times I was confronted with this question, and countless times I had no real answer. I found myself lying to some degree — talking about future jobs as a professor or a law student. I never intended to pursue these occupations, but they were the answers that got a “hmm” and a nod of approval. Whatever it took, I just wanted the conversation to end. I was a dreamer, but some invisible stigma…