Scrolling through social media since the Senate passed the 1.7 trillion-dollar omnibus spending bill, one sees a frequent talking point. It goes something like “Democrats are spending billions on Ukraine’s border and ignoring the crisis at our border!” After politicians or news personalities say some variation of this it quickly gets picked up and dutifullyContinue reading “A Tale of Two Borders (Two Different Stories)”
Author Archives: David Utsler
On Being an Introvert
I am an introvert. Many people who know me shake their head in disbelief when I say so. After all, I can talk to most anyone, I am often an amateur comedian amongst a group of individuals, and I actually enjoy being social (until I don’t, that is). Many people, it seems, have a veryContinue reading “On Being an Introvert”
Free Speech – What It Is and What It Is Not
It is sadly too common in the world today that people know just enough about something to fail to understand it while thinking they understand it thoroughly. I am sure I have been guilty myself of the same short-sightedness. “Free speech” is one of those subjects that I think falls into this category that peopleContinue reading “Free Speech – What It Is and What It Is Not”
The Transphobic Argument Against Student Loan Forgiveness
Transgender rights and student loan forgiveness are two entirely different topics. Yet, bigots and people with little worlds have managed to tie the two together. Yes, that’s right folks, apparently the small minded have managed to create an argument against student loan forgiveness from gender identity. Or is it an argument against transgender rights fromContinue reading “The Transphobic Argument Against Student Loan Forgiveness”
Books and History
Not too long ago, a lot of headlines were devoted to the controversies surrounding confederate statues being taken down. Those who objected did so on the basis that taking down these statues amounted to erasing history. This is not the case, of course, and never was. This is a technique of deflection that gets takenContinue reading “Books and History”
Dating Apps Suck!!! (Except this one time…)
June 26 will be the first anniversary of marriage for Ali and me. I still sometimes wonder if I am going to wake up and this is all a dream. Following my divorce 6 years ago after 21 years of marriage, I just wasn’t interested in marrying again. Companionship, sure. Marriage? No thanks. Mind you,Continue reading “Dating Apps Suck!!! (Except this one time…)”
The Being of Silence
Many, many years ago, I picked up an old used copy of a book, The World of Silence, by Swiss philosopher, Max Picard. At the time, I didn’t know who Picard was, but the book looked interesting and had a preface by Gabriel Marcel, a philosopher whose work I did know. So, I bought it.Continue reading “The Being of Silence”
Joy, In Spite of…
A friend of mine wrote a book. Well, he has written a few and edited some more on top of that. But one of his most recent is, in my estimation, a book that pretty much everyone should read. If you are looking for fluff, shallow affirmation, or a feel-good self-help sort of book, moveContinue reading “Joy, In Spite of…”
Hermeneutics and the Anthropocene: Notice on a Recent Publication
I am pleased to pass on to those who may be interested a notice of a journal article published in Analecta Hermeneutica, Vol. 13, 2021, titled “(Environmental) Hermeneutics at the Heart of the Anthropocene: Ricoeurian and Gadamerian Perspectives,” authored by me and Dr. Cynthia Nielsen of the University of Dallas. The issue can be foundContinue reading “Hermeneutics and the Anthropocene: Notice on a Recent Publication”
The Euphoria of Teaching
Next to being with my wife and family, I can’t think of anything that makes me happier than teaching. The feeling I get can rightfully be described as euphoric and, to be honest, a little high. I pondered choosing the word euphoria to describe the effect that teaching has on me and considered finding aContinue reading “The Euphoria of Teaching”
Discursive Dialectics 