I’m less interested in what people believe than in how they arrive there, what those beliefs do for them, and what they quietly cost. Identity, lived experience, and expertise all matter—but none of them end a conversation by themselves. Understanding is iterative. Growth is uneven. Meaning is often indirect.
Disagreement is welcome. Curiosity is encouraged. Certainty without self-awareness is not.
If you engage here, I ask only this:
- Read closely.
- Respond honestly.
- Assume complexity before malice.
- Know when you’re arguing with an idea—and when you’re defending a position.
I reserve the right to refine my thinking, change my mind, or step back from discussions that stop being generative.
If that sounds frustrating, this may not be the space for you.
If it sounds clarifying—welcome.
The Self-Styled Scholar 