Accountability as a Civic Obligation (The Story of the Clan Thought Experiment)

 Let us examine a learning story on the persistence of corruption and hate, and why these outcomes continue even when they are widely recognized. Numerous studies show that certain environmental and institutional conditions can normalize such behavior—not only within groups, but also among those in decision-making positions. When social contracts and shared civic values are subordinated to self-interest and entrenched “good old boy” networks, accountability weakens. The critical question becomes: what happens when a system loses its ability—or willingness—to correct itself?

Representing the average person
and their belief in something
greater. 

The “story of the clan” serves as a theoretical learning thought experiment framework that illustrates this breakdown. In this scenario, a group targets minorities, individuals and at times good people who expect basic dignity and fairness. Multiple people come forward with complaints, yet most are ignored or deliberately sidelined. When individuals approach the truth too closely, they are often singled out for retaliation and placed on informal lists for future targeting (formal and coordinated informal groups). Vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, sexual assault victims, and those with a record of speaking accurately and consistently—are intentionally harmed. Because of a dehumanizing effect they do not see what they are doing as wrong. 

Within this framework, laws are applied subjectively and arbitrarily, particularly against those labeled as outsiders or "undesirables" by a cool crowd and their associated corrupted officials. In the short term, the impact is clear: victims find they have little to no avenue for redress. Officials caught engaging in misconduct receive preferential treatment; investigations are delayed or blocked, and institutional mechanisms shield them from meaningful consequences (This is in contrast to the vast majority of good officials doing the right thing and turned the tide against corruption and hate. They have an impact on protecting and serving their communities in a positive way). Without the good men and women who challenged some aspects of corruption all would have been lost through hueristic and deeply biased thinking.

There is room for improvement......

The long-term effects are more damaging. Public trust erodes, social concerns deepen, and hostility toward out-groups increases as rhetoric increases (Some research shows that as rhetoric rises so does harm as it is a type of projection. Not of particular concern of those undermining the system). At the same time, awareness grows that reform is necessary—that protections and checks-n-balances must be strengthened so that commitments to social contracts are much more than symbolic gestures. Communities that challenge corruption and hate tend to experience improved social cohesion and economic development, while those that tolerate or protect such behavior often undermine their own stability and growth (You can read history and science and it will generally indicate that corruption and hate often brings low economic performance.).

What, then, should be done when wrongdoing is well known and there is a lack of commitment to social contracts or good and moral use of the law? The answer, however difficult, is persistence. The moral obligation to protect the next, more diverse generation outweighs the convenience of shielding misconduct simply because it is politically or socially tolerated within certain networks (History has shown that open bias in the courts can lead to much bigger problems in the future on a collective level If it matches with other data it is a big concern. It also limits the free exchange of ideas and that limits society's ability to adapt upward.). People who stand up and swear oaths to certain values everyday must believe in those things and not allow them to be watered down (Give honor and praise to those people and officials who walk the talk in values).

In this learning example, decision-makers feel little moral responsibility for the harm caused. The mechanisms for correction are not often used and they seem to be designed as inadequate. They know it is there but feel that the cost would be too high so they fail to correct or put in place meaningful checks-and-balances. Commitments to justice become performative, and loyalty rituals replace accountability. This represents not an accident, but a set of unwritten rules designed to serve some members of society exclusively. Yet the next generation deserves fair treatment, genuine opportunity, and institutions that function a their higest state possible. As more victims come forward neglect of duty and serving the public becomes apparent. 

This thought experiment reminds us that systemic failures do not occur in isolation. Despite pressures to silence victims or normalize the unacceptable, the responsibility remains to build the best society possible: to follow the law (not unwritten clan laws or unexamined application of hate or corruption), to treat others with dignity, and to insist that institutions serve their true purpose—not convenience, personal reward, or internal loyalty, but the people they were created to serve and the future they are meant to protect. Where systems fail people must still believe and do their best to right the wrong and treat all our youth and people and their futures as having value (not just the ones symbolically seen as worthy. ). Great societies are built by commitment and failing to correct is a sign of that lack of commitment and when commitment is lacking trust declines so let us reverse that trend. There will always be some that will cheat others out of their rights and engage in criminal wrong doing but let us not incentivize it, reward it, foster it, and relish in it least that becomes our unknown future.

*This is a thought experiment to explore a deep concept so feel free to change around the elements and come to whatever conclusion you desire. 

Bankruptcy is Up: What is the cause? (A Cluster Seed Idea)

A number of local business
owners meet concerned about costs
decide that there are many shared
expenses and supplies among
them so they discuss
buying in bulk, sharing some services,
creating an area export brand, 
enhancing local skills they
can all use,
and save the costs by collaborating
on what they all need.

They figure if they can successfully collaborate
here they can also consider more
official contractional
collaboration in the future.

Their co-complementary industries
and desire to strengthen their
small businesses leads to 
the seed of an organic local
cluster.

They can create
efficiencies and savings within
their local transactions. That could impact
the cost of cluster imputs but
also improve the reach of outputs. Those
businesses have an advantage over others.
(Theoretically)

Bankruptcies appear to be rising, and the trend seems relatively broad rather than concentrated in a single industry. When bankruptcies are confined to one sector, they often reflect changes specific to that industry. Broader increases, however, may point to more general economic pressures. This would mean it would somewhat an indication of structure influence.

This is not inherently good or bad, as markets naturally evolve—companies expand, fail, and reorganize as part of ongoing economic cycles. If you read through the various analysis you will find that inflation and credit issues seem to be an issue. If so there is going to be an impact on smaller business who do not get the best rates or terms. 

At this stage, there is no clear consensus on the primary cause of the increase. Analysts are offering a wide range of explanations, while other economic indicators continue to perform reasonably well. For now, the most prudent approach is to observe the trend and watch for additional data or indicators that might provide clearer insight.

Some level of bankruptcy is expected during periods of economic adjustment or rejuvenation. What matters most is whether new businesses are forming at a healthy pace. Strong business creation would signal adaptation and resilience, particularly if those new ventures are able to scale and contribute meaningfully to future growth.

(As a thought, if someone were to have a business within a developed cluster would the efficiencies within those clusters create an environment that is more resilient against some costs as companies would have other lower costs/efficiencies when compared to the general market? i.e borrowing costs rise but operational costs decline. Maybe or maybe not? One might also wonder how much advantage and whether that can be measured? Theoretically anway...)

Leading Companies Filing for Bankruptcy 2025

Bankruptcies are Up

Kayaking: A Simple Way to Build Strength and Endurance

Alex realizes that if
he wants to get in really good
shape he should tie bait
to the back of his kayak.
His new invention is
the trolling kayak-delux!
He thinks he could
build some down on
Ludington St.

 I went out kayaking recently using an old kayak that had been sitting next to the boat for about nine or ten years. It had a few holes in it, but I patched them up, and it has been holding up just fine for the past few seasons. There’s something great about being able to hop on a kayak, paddle around the bay, and get a solid workout in—especially on calm mornings.

Sometimes I just jump in and follow a loop that takes me around the bay and back to the boat. It takes about half an hour, making it a quick and efficient workout. Kayaking is excellent for building upper-body strength and core stability. The resistance of the water helps increase muscle density while you’re outside enjoying the weather.

For those interested in more advanced kayaking, there are rapids and other challenging environments to explore. However, for most people, paddling along a river or lake provides more than enough physical benefit and enjoyment.

The key is integrating exercise into your day in a way that feels natural and fun. Kayaking burns roughly 400 calories per hour, and mixing it with other activities—such as cycling, surfing, snowshoeing, or downhill skiing—adds variety and increases overall fitness while reducing the risk of overuse injuries.

I hold a fitness trainer’s license and can help you put together a basic nutrition plan and workout routine tailored to your goals. This can be done virtually, or in person if we happen to be in the same area. Send a message to the right. 

Kayaking Calories Burned

Canoe & Kayak Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Canoe,Kayak), By Application (Online Sales,Offline Sales), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2034

The Value of Insight When System Improvements are Need (The Story of the Clan)

How does one respond when corruption and hate are openly protected, when there are many victims yet no meaningful accountability? History shows that this is not a new problem and there are others who may have their own special brand of this story. The “story of the clan” serves as a philosophical thought experiment illustrating what happens when justice defaults and does not feel a greater responsibility to the insitution or the people it serves. Slicing and dicing people's value not based in merit. Smacking of dehumanization that is the root of collectivization in one potential future (i.e. "those people"). 

(It is a learning story so keep that in mind and think of this through a philosophical lens).

Allegory of the Cave
teaches us that only insight 
can provide a level of knowledge that
helps us understand the root
of problems. It leads to sharing
that wisdom with others. 

The importance of this learning story lies in what it reveals: the moment we accept the idea that certain people are effectively second-class citizens, we must also acknowledge that the system itself requires fundamental improvement. Yet the rhetoric of hate often extends beyond a corrupt “clan court” and moves upward through institutional hierarchies, where values of exclusion are normalized. In other words, nothing happens in a vaccum so you want to look at the situation and the context in which it was created. We can learn from thought experiments because we can explore ideas in possibility.

Imagine, for a moment, that the people acting ethically are the victims themselves and the broader community members who still understand the value of neighborliness and shared responsibility. Good people who believe in good things (If you talk to the average person you will see the same goodness). Practices such as informal immunities, favoritism, and preferential treatment within clan-based systems have been widely recognized for years. Negative social and economic impact until hate and corruption were challenged. Despite this awareness, little has changed in checks-and-balances, allowing harmful behaviors to persist and become entrenched over time. It becomes an issue of level of commitment to aligning word and deed.

Those who recognize how corruption functions—and who possess the moral strength to oppose it—carry a responsibility to protect the next diverse generation as best they can. Standing for higher ethical principles is rarely popular and often comes at a personal cost (It is intended that way.). Yet maintaining integrity means upholding shared values and civic oaths, even when others choose self-interest over justice. You can learn from hate and let your values be forged and molded by the hot fire and cooled by the grace of wisdom to create a moral steel that few in society can gain without extreme test. They can make up stories and spread them but we all know why groups like this do this-it has something to do with responsibility. 

For this reason, the story of the clan is not merely an account of a single place, incident, or moment in time. It reflects a broader pattern in society since the beginning of collective existence. Where ethical leadership and community solidarity prevail, social and economic opportunity grows. Where corruption and hate dominate, innovation is stifled, newcomers are discouraged "clikish", institutional trust erodes, and community cohesion weakens. Like Plato’s allegory of the cave, those entrenched in these systems often cannot see the harm they cause—or the lasting ripple effects their actions impose on the collective conscience. Time answers all questions...

*This is a philosophical story so feel free to change around the elements and come to whatever conclusion you desire. 

Why Self-Defense Training Matters (Fitness, Self-Defense Skill, Restraint)

Self-defense is one of those activities that serves both as a form of physical fitness and as a practical skill for real-world situations. We do not live in a perfect world where everyone respects boundaries, so having at least some ability to protect yourself is important. While serious incidents are relatively rare, they do occur often enough that learning basic self-defense skills is a reasonable and responsible choice. This is especially relevant for women, who face higher risks of certain types of assault, but it applies to anyone who may encounter aggression, bullying, or unpredictable situations.

There are three major benefits to practicing self-defense:

Jack teaches younger
people who engage in 
self-defense to be humble,
foregiving, and understand
the responsibilities of such skills.

Training self-defense
is good for fitness,
self-defense skill, and teaches
restraint.

1. Physical Fitness
A typical hour of self-defense training can burn around 500+ calories an hour and engage the entire body. Training builds muscle tone, balance, speed, flexibility, and overall preparedness. In many ways, it resembles activities like dance, which is why the two often complement each other very well. Punching, blocking and kicking take significant effort. Most practice includes a component of floor movements and that is used to keep your physical ability to handle on the ground or on your feet.

2. Practical Self-Defense Skill
My background is primarily in Kenpo, mixed martial arts, and hand-to-hand techniques, though different styles emphasize different approaches. Some focus on grappling and joint locks, while others are more direct and designed for real-world self-protection. When these skills are needed, having them can make a significant difference. Women can be just as capable as men in self-defense, and many fundamental techniques can be learned relatively quickly (Strength is only one component and knowing where and how has a much bigger influence.). Keep coming back to the basics.

3. Ethical and Moral Foundation
Self-defense is grounded in moral responsibility. Many of these disciplines have evolved over hundreds of years and, much like yoga, are associated with ethical codes and philosophies. While not everyone pursues the spiritual aspects, those principles often emphasize restraint, respect, and self-control. In my experience, continued training reinforces the importance of de-escalation. These skills are rarely used because understanding their effectiveness encourages confidence, calmness, and the wisdom to avoid unnecessary conflict.

Ultimately, self-defense teaches us to walk softly—but with confidence. I am a fitness trainer, a yoga instructure and have engaged in self-defense in various disciplines for much of my life. If you want some help achieving your goals let me know through a message to the right. 

Self Defense Burns Calories

Self-Defense Research

Equestrian Style 2026: Casual for Everday and More Formal for Events

In Rapid River we play
casually and sporadically so  we
wear casual clothing. It
would not be worth it
to invest in clothing
but it is worth it to invest in 
equestrian outdoor
clothing in general.

If one were in CA, practices are
casual but tournaments have 
more clothing expectations. 

Aspen has snow polo and so 
do we. :)

If you’re interested in both horses and fashion, 2026 may be a good time to refresh parts of your wardrobe. Equestrian activities typically require specialized, functional clothing, yet many of these pieces can also transition well into everyday wear. Costs can be quite reasonable, though they naturally vary depending on personal taste, brand preferences, and budget.

For example, if you’re playing intramural polo or simply practicing, you don’t always need top-tier riding apparel. While proper breeches are ideal, white or black flex jeans can work well for training sessions—especially if, like me, you tend to wear through clothing quickly. Saving higher-end gear for tournaments, lessons, or group rides often makes practical and financial sense.

When it comes to color, classic tones tend to perform best. Earth colors such as navy, black, gray, beige, and white are versatile and easy to mix and match, allowing you to get more use out of a smaller riding wardrobe.

Functionality and breathability are also key considerations. While some athletic clothing can cross over between sports, equestrian wear is largely its own category. Pieces designed specifically for riding offer the durability, flexibility, and comfort that the activity demands.

You may find the article below helpful—it’s well written and offers several practical tips for selecting equestrian clothing that balances style, performance, and value. These are some nice pieces and quality driven.

Mens Equestrian Clothing Guide: Style & Comfort 2026-Gallant Equestrian

*For a good works hobby. 

The Hypothetical Feather Party: Imagining a Different Political Model

Independent voters
were here. 
A feather in the snow.

 From time to time, it is useful to step back and ask what changes might improve the way decisions are made in our political system. At present, we largely operate within a two-party framework that some have said are polarized. Decisions are often shaped by that polarization, with outcomes determined sometimes more by party alignment than by independent analyze and judgement. The system continues to function—sometimes effectively and sometimes not—there appears to be widespread party-line voting. What can we do to grease the wheels of decision making?

Now, let us imagine—purely as a thought experiment—that we could design a political alternative from scratch. Within society, there are clearly groups that hold different views, but those views are often defined by a relatively small number of core party members who are selected, vetted, and reinforced within established political networks. In contrast, when you speak to people outside those circles, many appear far more centrist, less concerned with party identity, and more interested in practical solutions. It is their country so you can't blame them.

This is where the idea of a hypothetical “Feather Party” comes in: a loosely affiliated third party organized around a small set of core principles rather than rigid ideological positions. Such principles might include evidence-based decision-making, strategic long-term thinking, ethics, and a clear focus on the well-being of the next generation. Rather than enforcing strict party-line votes, this type of party would emphasize evaluating policies based on measurable outcomes and encouraging representatives to vote according to their informed judgment and conscience.

Historically, independents and third parties have struggled to gain traction. However, in recent years, the number of independent voters has grown, along with broader interest in alternatives to the two-party system. The concept of the hypothetical Feather Party emerged simply as a mental exercise—an exploration of what such an organization might look like and how it could potentially gain momentum. The mechanics of forming such a party—registration, organization, and defining core demographics (likely younger voters and independents)—are complex and worth separate discussion.

Whether one agrees or disagrees with the idea, there are reasonable arguments both for and against it. Some may see such an effort as a meaningful way to shift political incentives; others may view it as impractical or ineffective. The goal just to discuss at what point might such independents tip the outcomes in a near 50/50 voting outcome. Ultimately, in a free society, each voter must decide for themselves. That choice may not satisfy everyone, but it reflects personal agency—and the ability to think and speak independently remains one of the most important freedoms we have. 

What are your thoughts? No right or wrong answer. Just sort of think through the possibility.

I found this interesting. Not really related other then some of the interesting information on group dynamics in general. You can consider reading.

Group Dynamics