All Entries in the "Society & Culture" Category
Why Stereotypes Piss Me Off (And How They’re Ruining Your Life)
A Little Story From My Childhood
We were only in the 6th grade. I had been friends with Angie since I moved to the area in the 1st grade. She was my first friend, as a matter of fact, which is why when I walked into the locker room to change for gym class [...]
The Real Value of Travel (Come Sneak Away to the Beaches of Costa Rica, If You Dare)
A Sexy Story With a Lesson
We sit in near silence, the only interruptions being an occasional mojito-induced outburst of nervous laughter, the sound of my silver chandelier earrings gently clinkering together, and the relentless tropical rains that steadily pelt the top of the canvas roof of the 4×4 automobile we are in.
It’s shamelessly cliche, where [...]
Why Rule Breakers Run the World
I’ll admit it–I’m a tad embarrassed.
I can’t decide if I’m embarrassed in light of the nonchalant display of nudity that is currently lounging alongside of me–quite proudly, and with reason, if I do say so myself–on this clothing optional beach, or if I’m embarrassed for another reason–perhaps at my own relative prudishness, something that seems [...]
The Surefire Way to Save Yourself from Mediocrity (That You Already Know, But Don’t Do)
Q: Who’s Your Daddy?
A: Novelty
In the last year, two of the countries I’ve lived in are Chile & Costa Rica. In both places, I did a number of things, kissed met a number of people, and learned a number of lessons.
Many people advocate the value of travel–that’s nothing new–but what they’re really advocating is [...]
White Men Can’t Jump, But They’ve Got Other Tricks Up Their Sleeves: The (Unearned) Privilege of Being White
Here’s a little something to ponder:
Band Aids.
What comes to mind? Perhaps a small, rectangular piece of flexible plastic with adhesive that sticks to your skin and pulls at your little hairs when you finally tear it off, bringing back unpleasant memories of your last Brazilian wax.
No? I should leave the Brazilian wax out [...]
When Being Professional Is Harmful
Do not be alarmed. This photo will make far more sense in a moment.
Look, Ma! I Named My Very Own Pandemic!
If you’ve been reading The Middle Finger Project for some time, you know that I’m not shy when it comes to making bold claims.
Today is no exception.
I’d like to share something that’s been tormenting me [...]
Leaping, Diving & Plunging Head First Into Humanity
So, I may or may not have recruited a friend to write an article for The Middle Finger Project. And her name may or may not be Katie. And I may or may not have met her while wrangling the likes of five men at once in Chile.
Okay, so maybe it didn’t exactly happen like [...]
Bullshit & The All Mighty Dollar
A harsh look at the unflattering reality that we live and die by, day in and day out . . . without even knowing it.
18 Ways To Avoid Becoming a Human Robot (And Why Circles Are Better Than Lines)
A discussion on how erasing the lines that divide us can be beneficial in more ways than we imagine–complete with 18 examples to get you started.
U.S. Concept of Time & Why It’s Preventing You From Finding Your Passions
Here in the U.S., we’re all about go-go-go. It’s a fast paced lifestyle, and if you don’t keep ahead you’ll soon be left behind. It’s a race to the finish. It’s the survival of the fittest. It is time-is-money, and the early bird gets the worm.
Time, in essence, is a something [...]
Live Alive, Not Just a Life: Guidelines for Rebelling Against “Reality”
A collection of truths life truths & the premise for this entire website.
How Societal Ideals Conflict With Societal Goals
When your guilty conscience is your enemy, Ayn Rand & the tension between the moral values and the capitalistic values that define us.
Perhaps The Preamble Should Read: We, The Robots. (Prove That You Aren’t, And Win $100)
The negative effects of socialization. AND…An introduction to the HULA HOOP CONTEST 2010! (Get out your video camera and get ready to free yourself of unnecessary inhibitions!)
Your Language Is Holding You Hostage (And Why I’ll Be Flying Obama’s Private Jet As A Result)
A critical look at how the language you have available to you inevitably affects how you perceive the world. It’s deep–hold on to your hats.
Education & Wage Slavery: Hand In Hand?
A no-nonsense look at the education system’s hidden agenda–why we’re being taught what to think, instead of how to think, and how this affects not only us, but the bigger picture at hand. Put on your thinking caps for this one. (P.S. Please don’t egg my house if this makes you angry.)
On Authority: The Blogosphere/Real World Divide
There’s a converse relationship between authority in the real world and authority in the blogosphere–but regardless of context, does actual authority actually exist? Or is it all just a matter of perception?
The Flawed Cycle of Success That Could Be Causing You To Fail
We’ve got a love/hate relationship with the word “success”–by standard definition, it’s measured as a black & white outcome, but perhaps that’s the wrong way to go about it.
Red High Heels, Slaughtered Pigs & Why Being Unsure Is A Good Thing
A rendezvous with culture shock in Costa Rica–how can we determine right or wrong, if we’re judging using a separate set of rules for truth?
Tired of Having A Neverending To-Do List? Use It To Your Advantage
At what point did productivity become worth dying for? At what point did we stop feeling, and just start doing? At what point did our lives turn into a never-ending assembly line, where the work is never done and we are never done? And at what point did we become okay with it?
Why Seeking A Meaningful Career Is Bad Advice
A career is a glorified version of a job–you aren’t the product of the tasks you perform, but rather, the experiences you’ve had. You are not your career.
You’re Not Drunk, But Your Vision Is Still Blurred – One Reason Why Religion, Marriage & Even Education Sucks
Common “absolute truths,” such as our version of what an education should look like, a good job should look like or even a good person should look like are all just one model of reality and as such, aren’t absolute at all.
The Smart Ass Guide to Dealing With Dream Zappers (Guest Post @ Free Pursuits)
Do people tell you that you should be more realistic? That you’ll need to join the real world someday? That your ideas will never work out because of x, y and z? Check out the uber popular guest post I wrote for Free Pursuits.
Why I’d Rather Be a Mexican Immigrant Than a Corporate CEO
Defending Mexican immigrants, and how they’re just like us lifestyle designers. Viva Mexico!
Become a Corporate Drone in 30 Days or Less: Step-By-Step Instructions on How to Stop Thinking for Yourself, Kiss Ass Like a Pro & Wear Black Like a Champ
A hardcore tongue-in-cheek look at what your life will look like upon entering the corporate world. Reader beware: This one’s harsh.
Give Me Liberty, Or Give Me Death – Fate Versus Choices
A major diss to the concepts of “fate” and “destiny,” and a discussion on the power of individual choice. “You are not a marionette. You are a human being with opinions and emotions and likes and dislikes, and you’re also a human being who is entitled to what it is they want out of life. All you’ve got to do is choose it.”
Why Lifestyle Design Is Like Working at McDonald’s – And Why It’s a Good Thing
The distinction between “be” and “do,” and how too often, we make the mistake of confusing the two. You are not your job. (And how lifestyle design can help out in this department.)
Lifestyle Design: The New Arch Enemy of Dry Cleaners Everywhere (And Possibly Your Mom, Too)
A look at how social conditioning makes us do things we don’t even want to do, and we don’t even realize it–and how being creative and doing things a bit unconventionally can pay off exponentially.
25 Ways to Become An American Overnight (Without a Visa)
A tongue-in-cheek list of all of the things you should be doing in order to be a proper American. Heavy on the sarcasm.
