Vertical Thinking

Almost 2400 years ago, one of the greatest revolutions the western world has ever known set off. It was a relatively quiet explosion, not a famous battle or the overthrow of an empire. It was a young man watching his hero, teacher, and mentor put on trial and condemned to death. His teacher had dedicated his life to questioning others, for, as he put it, “the unexamined life is not worth living.

Archive of historical posts.

As an introvert, small talk has never come easy for me. I enjoy watching the occasional football or basketball game. Still, I can’t talk at length about the recent trades or injuries. And the latest on TV or streaming shows? Nope, I’m lost. I don’t say this to boast, for if anything, it’s hindered me in quickly finding common ground in the break room. Last year, I caught a ride home with a coworker who lived nearby.

Last October I was walking to lunch with a friend. The Vice-Presidential debate happened the night before, and I glibly remarked about my hopes for the election outcome. Until that moment, I didn’t realize that my friend felt differently. After about 30 minutes of awkward but polite conversation, it was clear that we disagreed. I tried to mute my sarcasm, but it slipped out once when I said, “If Darth Vader pretended to support the policies you supported, would you still vote for him?