by Mike Pyatt

Given a culture driven by glamour, pretense, pomposity, Facebook, Instagram, and selfies, it’s inexpedient to ignore externality. Like it or not, from birth, genetics play an irreversible role in one’s predominant endomorphic, ectomorphic, or mesomorphic physique. With slight variation, we’ll drag that basic frame to the grave. A quick glance in the mirror’s a reminder of reality. Gravity’s coming our way-sooner or later. It’s a matter of time. Mortals battle an age-old nemesis. Vanity. It infects the entire Fallen race. Unchecked, over time, leads to conceit and self-obsession. Developmentally the onset of pubescence prompts a legitimate “self-consciousness” that’s simultaneously fueled by inordinate social pressure magnifying the external, and subsequent delusion of self-aggrandizement that doesn’t automatically dissipate with age. From the cradle offspring are fed perpetually adulating words reinforcing the outward from family, friends, and nearly every social institution. Why are we shocked with this “me generation?” read more

by Mike Pyatt

James Fenimore Cooper, best known for his1841, The Deerslayer, warned in his publication, The American Democrat, that equality is widely misunderstood, maintaining it isn’t absolute, “The very existence of government infers inequality,” and “liberty like equality is a word more used than understood.” He stated “that perfect and absolute liberty is as incompatible with the existence of society, as equality of condition.” Cooper reminded us, “The inclination of democratic peoples to invade the securities of private life is a shocking perversion of liberal democracy, for individuality is the aim of political liberty.” With these arguments he attempted to awaken the American public of the danger of its own vices. He held that social injustice and inequality is unavoidable “due to individual pursuit, station in life, education, habits, on caprice or fashion,” insisting, “No civilized society can exist without these social differences.” Cooper would be disenchanted with our current slate of legislators, believing “such duties to be fulfilled by gentlemen.” He distinguished between “gentleman” and “aristocracy,” favoring gentlemen. Scoundrels weren’t easy to extirpate then either. read more

by Mike Pyatt

Hopefully most value “Well done’s better than well said.” Millions claim they do. In that context, how often has someone told you, “I’ve got your back!” Anyone navigating this orb for any time has likely heard that idiom. In the cyber realm of Mozilla Firefox, this likely means protecting users from security breaches, unwanted pop-ups, and malicious attacks that compromise browsers. “Having one’s back” means someone to look out for another’s welfare; someone to rely upon who looks out for one’s best interest, as a good parent or ally does. Someone who’ll vouchsafe for another. Law enforcement and firefighters “have our backs.” Wouldn’t one “have the back” of those most beloved? read more