Guthrie Brown Brainwaves & Musings
Ramblings of a curious mind: where philosophy meets everyday epiphanies, and thoughts are free to run wild. Examining life one thought at a time. 

"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." 
– Friedrich Nietzsche
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The Adventures of 2024: A Multiverse of Enshitification

What started as a seemingly uneventful year turned into a volatile wooden roller coaster of Chaucer, stoicism, totalitarianism, mental breakdowns, and an attempt at career progression—all while my relationship and the U.S. teetered on the verge of collapse. Oh, and aliens “"That which does not kill us makes us stronger."  — Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols” Alright, everyone, let’s pause for a moment and take a deep, calming, energizing breath. The holidays are over, the year is now complete, and if you're anything like me, you're probably exhausted. In every aspect of the word, down to your soul tired....
December 31st, 2024

A Traveler's Guide to Self-Compassion: Attempt #1,257

 As someone who has always struggled with practicing and really grasping this concept, I wanted to invite you all along as I revisit and try to unravel the true meaning of self-compassion.  In the hustle and bustle of life, amid the challenges and triumphs, there exists a profound journey— the journey of self-compassion. It's not just a buzzword; it's a guiding light to help brighten the path to understanding, kindness, and a deeper connection with ourselves.  ““To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.”  – Oscar Wilde” To begin, we’ll look at one of the best tools developed...
September 30th, 2024

Cognitive Awareness vs Cognitive Dissonance: The Societal Framework Showdown

Thoughts are not just fleeting notions;  They are the architects In the realm of profound concepts, "cognitive awareness" and “cognitive dissonance” might sound like complex terms, leaving us wondering, "WTF do they actually mean?" So, let's unravel this enigma and put our minds at ease. To put it in the simplest terms possible: to be cognitive is to be aware. But it's not just about self-awareness, mindfulness, or being ‘woke’; it's about understanding how your mind perceives and receives information from the world you exist in. Because, my friend, the way your mind processes this information holds the key to...
August 28th, 2024

Caught in a Loop: The Human Paradox of Freedom and Control

Seeking Liberation in A World Of Misguided Directions The American Revolution, often celebrated as a noble struggle for liberty, was not simply just a quest for independence but may have been a strategic maneuver influenced by the British Empire's own interests.  This perspective challenges the traditional narrative and has caused many debates among historians by highlighting economic, political, and geopolitical factors that suggest British involvement in fostering revolutionary sentiment. The resulting paradox reflects a deeper, enduring cycle of control and liberation that has shaped human societies, where the quest for freedom is continually entwined with manipulation and misdirection. “"We are...
July 25th, 2024

It’s Not Just A Terrarium:They’re Tiny Compartmentalization Ecosystems

How a simple hobby taught me ways to properly engineer the system our brains do nearly automatically. If we’re going to compartmentalize a bad day, the loss of someone, or whatever other catastrophic event may come our way – put it in a terrarium! I was first introduced to the art of terrarium making nearly a decade ago, during a time when I was exploring various ways to manage my mental setbacks and seeking a holistic approach to improve my mind, body, and spirit. At this early point in my journey, I had already started collecting plants. I believe that...
July 16th, 2024

Perception and Observation: We Are Our Own Reality Show

Just Children Left to Raise Ourselves  Here we are again, stuck choosing between being bitten by a venomous snake or drinking the Kool-Aid. Except we don’t know when the snake will strike, and we’re pretty sure the Kool-Aid has been in the back of the fridge since the 1940s. When you look back throughout history, not only in the U.S. but worldwide, you’ll notice trends. It happens time and time again: every country has faced tyrants, dictators, incompetent governments, war, famine, and collapse. That’s just one of the many cycles of life, of evolution. We, as a species, must transition...
July 11th, 2024