Hi, My Name is Cole.

I built this little statically generated website (thanks Hakyll) to keep in touch with friends and family through idea exchange.

I don’t believe in western ideas of an unchanging self. I think that the ‘analog I’ that we narratize within the ‘story of you’ represent a fiction (but a useful one). The so called ‘self’ changes behavior depending on scenario, among many other factors. As Alfred Korzybski remarks:

Let us repeat the two crucial negative premises as established firmly by all human experience: (1) Words are not the things we are speaking about; and (2) There is no such thing as an object in absolute isolation.

In order to avoid fallacies of identity (The leaf is green) as it relates to the self and others, I will attempt to write this website completely in E-Prime. E-Prime requires the elimination of the use of the verb ‘to be’ in all of its conjugations (The leaf appears green to me).

Right now, I find myself deeply passionate about:

• Consciousness, perception, and the brain I spend a lot of time thinking about how my perception distorts my environment. In this exploration, I attempt to optimize my own behavior through a variety of techniques, namely: the use of nootropics, REBT, and regular meditation practice.
• Cryptocurrency and the potential of blockchain technology Particularly, I find Ethereum an idea of incredible potential (censorship resistant heavily distributed computing systems). If you enjoy reading me, send me ETH: 0x918a6162FEeBFd517b80d293e1e0C6Ff4E022538

• Openness and free exchange of ideas I reject polarization of ideas. I think that people should constantly be discussing ideas, even ones they might find detestable. One must be able to separate a person’s ideas from their identity (as a person does not equal the amalgam of their ideas).
  In 1960, 5% of Republicans and 4% of Democrats remarked they may act upset by “cross party” marriage. In 2010, asked the same question: 49% of Republicans and 33% of Democrats (Source)

• Privacy I believe in a person’s fundamental right to privacy, access to encryption, and right to due process. I support Edward Snowden and reject the deep state’s illegal spying. This site is statically served off of Github Pages: I use no webfonts and no 3rd party CDNs.