1st Annual Veterans Fundraiser: September 6th, 2025 (UP Honor Flight)

 Our veterans have served our nation and good people and organizations often give back to them. The following fundraiser may be of interest to you. 

The Story of the Clan: The Role of Intellectuals: A Sociological and Historical Reflection(Hypothetical Thought Experiment)

Society must continuously evolve and adapt in order to thrive in a changing world. Societies that embrace change are often strengthened, becoming more resilient and high-performing. In contrast, those that resist adaptation risk stagnation and marginalization. Intellectuals and philosophers play a key role in this process by equipping leaders and administrators with the tools to make thoughtful, high-level decisions that improve lives.

The Story of the Clan is a hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment designed to explore what happens when corruption and hate undermine local systems—specifically, the justice system. In this scenario, a network of interconnected individuals conspire to target whistleblowers, witnesses, minorities, and victims. Their goal is to benefit their in-group while encouraging out-group members to leave if they don't like something about them—essentially, a form of social cleansing. Goal directed.

Supporting what is moral, just, beneficial
and good leads to a healthier society.
Finding mechanisms to fix glaring problems
at their root improves trust and adaptability.
Systems should be run for the needs of 
all of society.

What makes this story so horrendous was it was well known they were engaged in these extreme behaviors, some officials knew about it, and those who would normally be willing to stand against such behaviors silenced through a culture of corruption. The many choices rooted and anchored in hate and social segregation based on the cultic perceptions of a clan. In essence, a whole chain of decisions that failed to see the fundamentally flawed and at their core illegal behaviors constituting a long term risk. Initially, they just didn't care about fixing it even though they were well aware of the crimes indicating what direction they are headed and how the needs of society may not be at the forefront of thought. (We are going to write in a positive ending because it is just a learning story. It is hard to imagine the damage a closed clan system could do to victims. Yikes!).

Yet, this is ultimately a story of triumph. Community members who recognized similar abuses began to challenge the protective shield surrounding corruption. Their efforts led to a revitalized society: trust increased, the economy improved, competent officials rose through the ranks, and vulnerable populations found better opportunities. Even judges, once influenced by unchecked bias, began to recognize the flawed foundations of some decisions (We have seen this before in historical stories of moral conscious and we revisit in society because we have not yet learned to overcome such issues.). By reassessing their assumptions and improving their decision-making processes, they contributed to a more just system. Who wins in this case? The People. (Docket: The People vs. The Clan.)

Philosophers and intellectuals—those who advocate for a higher moral order—are often targeted when their perspectives challenge the status quo. The greater the ideological distance, the stronger the backlash. One may want freedom and liberties and the other may want control and power (This has been going on since the beginning of mankind). Yet history consistently shows that intellectuals often work to address foundational issues that benefit society as a whole. When philosophy is paired with science and strategy, it creates a powerful framework for positive change.

Even when unappreciated, such individuals continue to contribute meaningfully to democratic systems by helping identify ways to improve them—particularly by fostering inclusive, principle-based engagement. People often make poor decisions when they fail to critically examine information or question underlying assumptions. Encouraging more thoughtful analysis at the local level enables the broader system to continuously adjust and improve in both effectiveness and efficiency.

This piece reflects on the role of intellectuals from a sociological and historical perspective. One does not endorse or oppose specific examples but invites the reader to consider the importance of intellectual work in shaping and strengthening society. Look for the broad principles versus the actual examples. The Role of Intellectuals

*This a hypothetical philosophical theoretical thought experiment for learning purposes so take with a grain of salt. Feel free to share an alternative perspective because we are learning.

Ocean Beach Pier Canvas Print

 OB Pier Canvas Print with different sizes available. This pier will eventually be torn down. No one is allowed to walk it any more due to weather damage. 

OB Canvas Print
The Walking Path Gallery

Human Capital as an Important Innovative Factor for Business and Society

Human capital will play an increasingly important role in the future as both technology and our capacity to use it evolve. Achieving goals and maintaining a competitive advantage requires a thoughtful integration of the human element within broader strategic systems. As a key input in economic models and outcomes, human capital cannot be overlooked—organizations that do so risk weakening their long-term prospects.

Innovation and the ability to harness it are critical in today’s fast-changing environment. As technology evolves, employers need a workforce capable of understanding and adapting to these changes. The generation of new business ideas and the effective use of organizational resources will increasingly depend on the intellectual capacity of human capital.

Developing human capital involves multiple pathways, including higher education, vocational training, skilled trades, and personal development. Higher education tends to focus on abstract thinking and systems-level understanding, while advanced degrees help bridge theory and practice. Training programs can target specific skill gaps, trades education develops industry-specific competencies, and self-directed learning allows individuals to grow on their own terms.

(Side Noted. Been working on a model measuring competencies to ensure better industry-education alignment.)

The saying "people are our greatest asset" reflects a growing recognition of the value of human capital. Research supports this, showing that investing in people benefits not just organizations but entire societies and nations. While often discussed at a macroeconomic level, the report below offers a detailed and practical look at the importance of human capital.

Human capital management research: how people are our greatest asset

Economic Well-being of Households in 2024-Federal Reserve

Home ownership rises as
incomes rise.

The Federal Reserve regularly analyzes and reviews the state of the U.S. economy. If you're not familiar, the Federal Reserve’s mission is to promote economic well-being and stability so they are a source of economic data. Understanding what people are experiencing economically to make decisions is an important part of that mission.

Below are some highlights from a recent report. Overall, the findings suggest that, from the perspective of the average household, the economy is doing reasonably well. However, it's important to remember that no single report captures every aspect of the economy or how people feel about it. Each report has limitations based on what it’s designed to measure. This give s a broad overview.

Household Economic Wellbeing Federal Reserve May 2025

Price of household essentials like
food still a concern.

Key Findings: I pulled a full but there are more. 

• 73% of Americans say they are doing okay financially or living comfortably.

• 29% of respondents rate the economy as "good" or "excellent," an increase from the previous year.

• 60% report that rising prices are causing financial strain.

• The median rent is $1,200 and continues to rise.

• 22% of people earn income through gig work or by selling goods and services.

• 41% of workers say they work from home at least some of the time.

• 10% have variable or unpredictable work schedules.

• 39% report annual incomes over $100,000.

• 32% said their income increased over the past year.

• 19% said their spending exceeded their income, while 30% said the two were about equal.

• 7% reported not having enough to eat at least some of the time.

• 85% have some type of retirement savings plan.

Again, while these findings provide a snapshot of current economic conditions, they don't tell the whole story. Broader context and additional data sources are needed to understand the full picture.

According to a Survey Most Americans Feel We Should Support Veteran Research

The National Association of Veterans’ Research and Education Foundations (NAVREF) partnered with Isos to conduct a survey exploring how the American public perceives the impact of VA research. 

Veterans Overwhelmingly Back VA Research as Essential to Their Care and Medical Progress, New Ipsos Survey Finds

The findings revealed broad support for veterans' access to medical treatments and research initiatives:

• 96% of veterans and 87% of all Americans believe veterans should have access to medical treatments.

• 91% of veterans and 85% of Americans think it is important to conduct medical research.

• 92% of veterans and 86% of Americans believe veterans should have access to innovative treatments.

• 83% of veterans and 70% of Americans feel that funding VA research is important.

However, the survey also showed that many Americans are unaware of the VA's contributions to medical research. This highlights the need to raise public awareness and understanding of the VA’s role. It is also benefical to say raise awareness of veterans and their contributions to society in general. 

VA Research Survey Results 

*part of another project.

The Story of the Clan: Justice, Trust, Hate and Corruption in Clan Courts? (Hypothetical Thought Experiment)

A person lecturing on the importance
of liberty and preservation of rights
during sociological transitions.

Understanding Justice, Trust, and the Impact of Corruption

The justice system is critical because it influences many other aspects of society—our choices, our sense of safety, our ideas of fairness, and the concept of a level playing field. Society holds certain expectations for how officials and the courts should uphold shared values, as codified in our laws. When those expectations are not met—thankfully in what we hope are rare cases—it can come as a shock. There are mechanisms to bringing back into the fold of good judgement those rogue actors and ambassadors of democratic decay bring (Take with a grain of rhetorical thought.)

What follows is a theoretical, hypothetical, and philosophical learning thought experiment designed to explore the dynamics of hate and corruption. Through this exploration, we have already discovered meaningful insights and possible solutions.

The Decline in Trust

Let’s begin by acknowledging that a downward trend in public trust toward the justice system is not a positive one. No matter how you slice and dice it, those types of trends should be avoided. We should encourage decision-makers to arrest this decline and implement necessary reforms when such reforms help the whole of society. Sometimes, small adjustments in practice and tone can make a big difference. In other cases, more significant interventions may be required to halt systemic problems.

It’s important to recognize that understanding the purpose of the law can differ from mastering its technicalities. There's a risk when the system draws human capital primarily from a highly educated and socialized pool of attorneys—experts who are trained as technicians. While this expertise is vital, it should be complemented by a deeper understanding of the broader philosophical and ethical foundations of justice. That perspective can bring necessary context to legal decision-making.

Report Finds Trust in Courts Declining

Americans Pass Judgement on Courts 

A Learning Case: The Story of the Clan

In our thought experiment, The Story of the Clan explores what happens when a system fails—and not by accident, but by poor actor design. It describes a hypothetical scenario where the justice system defaults to protect and reward perpetrators. The story includes disturbing elements: hate-driven rumors, coordinated abuse, systemic corruption, isolation of the vulnerable, character assassination, suppression of speech and religion, and efforts to maintain segregationist worldviews (We might have seen this more like a 100 years ago).

This imagined example operated without appropriate local checks and balances. The system overlooked victims, retaliated against the innocent, and ignored whistleblowers. Culture and process favored those in power—those in the Clan—rather than the rule of law (Imagine the self-entitled dark triad traits of influencers that would cause and allow such behaviors. Certainly not the type that should be in any leadership role.).

Eventually, the situation became unsustainable. Some brave individuals stood up to the corruption, despite personal risks. They shifted the focus away from protecting bad actors and toward re-aligning with the fundamental purpose of justice. However, full accountability remained elusive, in part due to efforts to block investigations into perpetrators while pursuing those who simply raised concerns. Historically, such imbalances have sometimes served as precursors to even more serious crimes. (That sounds grim—but we will aim for a positive conclusion. It doesn't morph into a much larger issue because there are those who swore oaths simply said "no" and protected themselves and others while bad actors retaliated over and over with immunity and impunity. In our horrific example, it appeared the judge incentivized the perpetrators but the error of improprer symbolic anchorage was eventually corrected.)

The Economic Impact of Hate and Corruption

Part of this thought experiment is to explore the economic consequences of corruption and hate. These forces distort markets, misallocate resources, and create inefficiencies that hurt everyone—not just the direct victims. The implications of blind eye justice are much more than many decision makers can fathom from the vantage point in which they were educated and socialized. For 20 years our theoretical community declined until new leadership was brought forward and corruption was directly challenged.

It’s essential to clarify: one can fully support the many good leaders and decision makers who operate within the Constitution and the intended purpose of their roles. The vast majority of these professionals do the right thing, often under difficult circumstances. They have respect and this is why they have been supported. They deserve fair compensation, respect, and encouragement. When they can't, won't, or don't have the mental or moral conscious capacity to do the right thing is when problems arise. 

However, those who abuse their positions, enable corruption, or turn a blind eye to injustice should not be legally protected in the name of preserving the status quo. Some administrators may not fully appreciate the broader impact their role has on society. But it's worth remembering: people outside the justice system have just as much ability—and just as much right—to judge what is right and wrong. After all, these institutions exist to serve the public, not clans or themselves. Let us be happy that for the most part they don't. When we serve the institution then something is misaligned. Freedom of speech, religion, human/civil rights, and the Constitution should always be upheld. Let us give honor to the vast majority that do. They are heroes of our society. 

Checks and balances are essential to remind public servants who they are accountable to—and why. Thank God we have many who do the right thing and still believe in what our forefathers and mothers believed. Failure to do that leads to economic and social decline as resources are misallocated to people who hold values similar to "The Clan". 

James Madison, 

Opens in new tab"Equal laws protecting equal rights—the best guarantee of loyalty and love of country."

Love her and love her dearly as a beacon of light. 

How Corruption Impacts Economic Growth

*This is a hypothetical philosophical theoretical learning thought experiment on the impact of hate and corruption. Take as a grain of salt and feel free to agree or disagree. It is meant to generate deeper thought.