Random Thoughts

Feathers on the Wind

For Buffy

She scratched the earth with gentle grace,

A humble queen in her own place.

With clucks and chirps and bright-eyed gleam,

Buffy made the morning dream.

Each sunrise found her in the light,

Soft amber feathers glowing bright.

A heartbeat small, but oh so wide—

She nestled deep in hearts with pride.

But now the coop is still and bare,

Her song replaced with whispered air.

No tiny feet to tap the ground,

No flurry when the feed comes ’round.

She’s crossed the bridge of mist and hue,

Where skies are warm and skies are blue.

A meadow waits with endless sun,

Where flocks are free and races run.

And though my arms can’t hold her near,

I feel her presence, soft and clear—

In rustling leaves and golden rays,

Buffy visits me in gentle ways.

So rest, sweet hen, and roam the skies,

Where love like yours forever flies.

Your wings are light, your soul is free—

But always, you’ll come home to me.

Forever Loved. Forever Missed.

🐔💛🌈

Let’s Talk About First Principles

“First principles” are the fundamental building blocks of a concept, problem, or system. Instead of relying on assumptions or conventional wisdom, first-principles thinking breaks a subject down to its core elements and reconstructs it from the ground up.

This approach is central to scientific thinking and problem-solving. For example, Elon Musk has used first-principles reasoning in business and engineering. Rather than accepting that batteries must be expensive, he analyzed their raw materials and recalculated costs, leading to more affordable production.

America’s First Principles

America was founded on core principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Federalist Papers:

1. Natural Rights – Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are inherent, not granted by the government.

2. Popular Sovereignty – Government derives power from the people through free elections.

3. Rule of Law – Laws apply equally to all, including leaders.

4. Limited Government – Government power is restricted to prevent tyranny, with checks and balances in place.

5. Separation of Powers – Three branches ensure no single entity holds too much power:

• Legislative (Congress): Makes laws

• Executive (President): Enforces laws

• Judicial (Courts): Interprets laws

6. Federalism – Power is shared between federal and state governments.

7. Individual Liberty – The Bill of Rights protects freedoms like speech, religion, and privacy.

8. Free Enterprise & Private Property – Citizens have the right to own property and participate in a free-market economy.

First Principles of Vision Loss and Blindness

Vision loss exists on a spectrum, from mild impairment to total blindness. Understanding its core principles helps improve accessibility and inclusion.

1. Types of Vision Loss – Ranges from low vision (some functional sight) to legal blindness (20/200 vision or worse) to total blindness (no light perception).

2. Causes – Includes eye-related conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration), neurological issues (stroke, optic neuritis, TBI), genetic disorders (albinism, congenital blindness), and systemic diseases (diabetes, hypertension).

3. Mechanisms – Vision loss results from mechanical obstruction (cataracts), nerve damage (glaucoma), retinal degeneration (macular degeneration), or cortical impairment (brain-related issues).

4. Adaptation – Mobility aids (white canes, guide dogs), assistive tech (screen readers, Braille), environmental modifications (high-contrast designs, tactile markers), and neuroplasticity help individuals adjust.

5. Social & Psychological Aspects – Accessibility laws (ADA), mental health support, and advocacy promote independence and inclusion.

Conclusion: The Benefits of First-Principles Thinking in Vision Loss

Applying first-principles thinking to blindness benefits the sighted world by fostering deeper understanding, innovation, and inclusion.

1. Understanding the Fundamentals of Vision & Blindness

• Breaking down vision into core functions—light perception, contrast, spatial awareness, and brain interpretation—helps sighted individuals grasp blindness as an adjustment, not just an absence of sight.

2. Driving Innovation in Accessibility

• Questioning assumptions (e.g., “Sight is necessary for navigation”) has led to innovations like AI-powered guidance, haptic feedback, and enhanced screen readers.

• This approach also drives universal design, benefiting everyone through voice assistants and contrast-friendly interfaces.

3. Enhancing Empathy & Inclusion

• Understanding blindness from first principles fosters more thoughtful interactions and naturally inclusive urban, workplace, and digital designs.

4. Challenging Societal Assumptions

• Many assume blindness is inherently limiting, but breaking it down reveals that other sensory inputs (touch, sound, echolocation) can fully replace or enhance certain functions of sight.

• This shift in perspective empowers education, employment, and social policies.

5. Improving Everyday Interactions

• Sighted individuals who apply first-principles thinking engage more respectfully, offering meaningful assistance rather than making assumptions.

Rethinking blindness from first principles fosters accessibility, innovation, and inclusion—making society stronger for all.

Be the glitch

Be patient and stay the course

 Do you remember who you were before the world told you who to be?  

 Do not work so hard for another person's dreams that you forget your own

It is an honor to witness your life

Just because we make it look easy does not mean that it is

People literally, like, literally use the word “literally” so much that it’s literally lost all meaning and is now, quite literally, the least literal word in the English language.

God does not call the qualified. He qualifies the called

Music is hope

I am too fun to do boring things

The truth is that there is very little in this life that is truly important.

For me, it is almost always about the "big picture." 

1. The Purpose of Life:

If life is fleeting, what gives it meaning—our actions, our connections, or simply the experience of living?

2. Time and Perspective:

Time feels infinite, yet our lives are brief. How does the way we perceive time shape our priorities and experiences?

Relationships and Connection

3. Empathy and Understanding:

We all live within the confines of our own minds. How much of another person’s reality can we truly understand?

4. The Power of Small Actions:

A single kind word or gesture can ripple through someone’s life in ways we’ll never see. Are we aware of the legacy we leave in our daily interactions?

I 5. Who Am I?

If our thoughts, beliefs, and even memories can change over time, is there a “core” self that remains constant?

6. The Paradox of Change:

We fear change, yet it’s the only way we grow. Why do we cling to stability when transformation brings new opportunities?

The Universe and the Unknown

7. The Vastness of the Universe:

We are tiny specks in an infinite cosmos. Does that make our lives insignificant, or does it make them even more precious?

8. The Limits of Knowledge:

There’s so much we don’t know—about the universe, consciousness, and existence itself. Is the pursuit of understanding its own kind of fulfillment?

Happiness and Suffering

9. The Duality of Emotions:

Can we truly appreciate joy without having experienced sorrow? Is pain a necessary part of what makes us human?

10. What is Enough?

In a world that constantly pushes us to want more, how do we define what is truly “enough” for a fulfilling life?

11. What We Leave Behind:

If we are remembered only for a generation or two, does that make our impact on the world less meaningful?

12. Living Fully:

Knowing life is finite, are we living in alignment with what we value most—or simply going through the motions?

Most people live their lives with a veil

Vision loss is a blessing - Kevin McNally

"Don't take life so seriously, no one gets out alive" - DLR