Posts in Essays

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Why Bulletproof Backpacks Are a Good Idea

November 9, 2017  •  5 min readA powerful black-and-white image depicts a young boy looking upwards with a solemn, contemplative expression. On the left, the barrel of an assault rifle held by a gloved hand is pointed, symbolizing the grim reality of gun violence and its impact on children. The dark background heightens the emotional tension, underscoring the unsettling juxtaposition of innocence and the threat of violence in modern society.

We’ve reached the point where schools are selling bulletproof backpack panels to protect kids from mass shootings. This is the NRA’s endgame: guns everywhere, from classrooms to churches to bars, with no meaningful gun control. Meanwhile, gun ownership is declining, but 69% of us live in fear of gun violence, thanks to a vocal minority holding our politics hostage. Bulletproof gear shouldn’t be a back-to-school essential, yet here we are.

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We’re Not There Yet

October 17, 2017  •  8 min readSilhouette of human evolution stages over a background of red blood splatters, symbolizing violence and primal instincts.

Yesterday, my Facebook filled with “Me too” posts—stark reminders of pervasive harassment. Later, I heard the harrowing story of a Rohingya survivor, exposing humanity’s capacity for cruelty. Despite millennia of evolution, our primal instincts—aggression, territorialism, tribalism—still pull us back. But progress depends on resisting them and building a future of empathy and cooperation. We must do better. Together.

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Losing Our Democracy

September 27, 2017  •  2 min readSenator John McCain standing in the center of the U.S. Senate floor, surrounded by colleagues, casting his decisive vote against the Obamacare repeal, while others observe and react.

We are losing something precious: the ability to compromise. With every election of an ideologue and every retirement of a statesman like John McCain, we edge closer to the collapse of a democratic system that depends on listening and collaboration. Democracy isn’t about winning every fight; it’s about finding common ground. When we lose sight of that, we lose ourselves.

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The Mainstream Fox News

March 27, 2017  •  5 min readGlitched image of a Fox News broadcast featuring Bill O’Reilly with bold text overlays, including phrases like ‘Insanity Over Illegal Immigration’ and commentary on media coverage.

While Fox News criticizes “mainstream media,” it’s the most-watched news network in America, shaping narratives as much as it claims others do. Its focus on a Maryland rape case over the AHCA’s defeat highlights how editorial choices reflect and reinforce worldviews, underscoring the power and bias of media today.

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For the Rest of Us

May 9, 2014  •  5 min readStill from Apple's Your Verse ad

Apple's recent advertising campaigns 'Your Verse' and 'Powerful' aren't just commercials—they're rallying cries for the faithful. As a long-time Apple fan and former employee, I see these ads following in the footsteps of the legendary 'Think Different' campaign, serving to inspire existing users rather than convert new ones.

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Adapt or Die

March 9, 2012  •  6 min readIllustration of a snake in a tablet

As tablets and smartphones become our primary computing devices, the line between work and personal life continues to blur. For designers and marketers, ignoring this shift toward mobile-first content consumption isn't just shortsighted—it's potentially fatal.

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Using the iPad to Reshape Content

March 1, 2011  •  4 min read

_The New York Times_ recently published an article about how apps and web services are enabling consumers to customize how they read their online content. From apps like Flipboard and Pulse to services like Readability and Instapaper, users are increasingly demanding to consume content whenever, wherever and however they want.

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The Need to Breathe

April 3, 2010  •  2 min read

"1000+" should be a familiar number for Google Reader users. My RSS feeds have been neglected in past months. Emails from AdAge.com, Creativity-Online, and links from friends go unread and unclicked. I've just been running 100 miles per hour at work. This is not to slam my current employer (because I truly like working here), but more of an observation.

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The Benefits of Having One Agency

November 11, 2009  •  4 min read

There's been a lot of chatter in recent weeks about how so-called "digital" agencies are or are not ready to be the lead for a campaign. But I think the question is a little off.

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Do Big Ideas Still Matter? Yes.

July 21, 2009  •  3 min readIllustration of a lightbulb with a crown

In the age of digital and social media, and in the age of realtime marketing, what matters more? The big idea or the smaller idea and execution?