The Underpinnings of my Philosophy

The modern search for community begins not with an external program or a policy, but with a single, staggering and deeply personal realization. There’s a name for it: suerza. It’s the quiet thunder of knowing you exist at all and choosing unflinching gratitude for the sheer, unmerited luck of having been born at all, the victor of an unbroken reproductive lottery stretching back to the dawn of life.

This profound improbability isn't an exercise of detrimental self-absorption and inaction; it is the bedrock of a moral imperative. If our very existence is such a fluke, then connecting with one another ceases to be a social nicety. It becomes the most urgent and meaningful project we can undertake, if not the most difficult.

My own framework for navigating this project is rooted in a fundamentally liberal tradition, finely shaped by a few essential thinkers. It’s grounded in the intellectual honesty and unflinching personal lens of Andrew Sullivan, fortified by the late David Boaz's foundational defense of tolerance, and illuminated by Deirdre McCloskey’s powerful thesis on the true engine of human progress: virtues and language.

This classical liberal toolkit is sharpened by the modern insights of social psychology. Jonathan Haidt’s work on moral foundations and deep look on the sociological effects of social media technologies is the catalyst for my own writings. He provides the MRI for the invisible architecture of our communities, analyzing and revealing why we cohere, why we fracture, and where the fragile bridges of common ground might be built.

My particular worldview holds a strong affinity for concrete, well-defined structures that are inherently mindful of human limitations and capabilities. Dunbar's number, as an illustrative example, transcends the realm of mere sociological observation; it functions as a crucial counterpoint to the pervasive, yet ultimately hollow, promise of limitless connectivity that characterizes the modern digital era. It is, in essence, a compelling invitation to prioritize genuine human connection and investment in individuals, shifting the focus away from the superficiality of online profiles. The emphasis is on fostering rich, meaningful interactions that go far beyond the fleeting nature of a casual digital scroll.

The same underlying ethos is powerfully embodied by the '999 philosophy', espoused by the late Jarad Higgins. This is the emotional approach I take to life: reframing even the most devastating adversity by actively seeking out and cultivating positive or neutral aspects. These elements become a potent source of resilience and forward momentum, allowing one to not only endure but ultimately thrive. Life, viewed through this lens, is an abundance of blessings—a message of unwavering hope where struggles amplify the significance of all that life has to offer.

This emotional conviction pairs with a rigorous intellectual approach to my own journey. From my perch in Arlington, VA, I’ve treated my array of experiences as a social laboratory. I’ve navigated international libertarian student movements, structured corporate hierarchies, mission-driven nonprofits, and the protocols of the gay leather subculture. In each of these networks, the same fundamental patterns emerge, offering a unique lens on the universal human challenge of building and sustaining a community worth belonging to.