Empathy and Lies in the Conception of Societal Leadership (The Roots of Democracy)

People lie—it happens all the time, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally. There are small, socially acceptable lies meant to spare feelings or keep interactions running smoothly. For example, when someone asks, “Does this shirt make me look chubby?” a wise response balances honesty with kindness: “I think the blue one over there looks much better on you.” These small social fictions help everyday relationships function.

Then there are serious lies—those intended to harm. There are lies of belief as well, when people publicly profess values they neither uphold nor truly believe. These are the most dangerous, because they slowly dissolve trust. Such lies are often rooted in ideology, self-interest, entitlement, social exclusion, corruption or extremism. These are precisely the lies we have a moral obligation to challenge and correct.

Representing a person
in ancient societies that
formed the root
of democracy. They share
characteristics. There are many
places where democracy was
created. 
Ancient Democracies

"Man perfected by society is
the best of all animals; he is the
most terrible of all when
 he lives without law,
and without justice".  Aristotle

As a side point, what makes
philosophers valuable is their
exploration of the world and life
and how their insight sometimes
brings forward deep
fundamental truths. 
This is also why they
don't often historically last long. 😬

This brings us back to hypothetical, philosophical, theoretical, learning thought experiment entitled The Story of the Clan. In this thought experiment, society faced a near collapse of justice as a corrupt group of actors used a clan-supporting court to harm people they disagree with, can gain off, minorities, victims, political opponents, religious practice, children, and those they label as “outsiders.” These actors feel entitled to the system’s outcomes—even above those whose families have lived in these communities for generations, in some cases long before modern nations were formed.

Clan courts do not feel a moral obligation to correct wrongdoing or undo the harm they cause. They are shaped by insular social networks and misguided beliefs about who the system exists to serve. Over time, even those who are not directly mistreated begin to recognize the distortion—how wrongdoing is clearly identified, documented, and then ignored. This failure creates more victims and leaves many people with little to no protection. Trust declines.

Yet The Story of the Clan also contains a silver lining. It reveals that there are core values most people share and believe will be upheld by those who understand what is essential and important.  They stood for it, challenged wrongdoing and change the direction of developoment. Good people who know why they are in the roles they have been entrusted with (The sacred oaths of position and power.).  Any decision that violates these sacrosanct principles is unjust at its core and should not be accepted or normalized in a society that seeks to pass foundational values from one generation to the next. Clan courts disregard these ideals, prioritizing loyalty to one another over justice and accountability.

History shows us that, time and again, wrongdoing is sometimes known, concealed, and only revealed years later—often with horrific consequences. Had those involved paused to ask themselves, “How would I feel if the shoes were on the other foot?" Giving a temporary pause to hueristic thinking and robo reactions. However, with corruption, hate and narcissims empathy and deeper moral conscious are not often part of their decision making process and this is why it is so dangerous to be neglectful of the inner qualities of candidates and leaders.

Empathy is central to leadership. While leading others is possible without empathy the outcomes will always be warped in some way. So we can say that empathy is central to long-term outcomes and the capacity to bring out the best in society, self, and others. Without a belief in shared values and the responsibility to honor certain oaths, a person is not qualified to hold authority. We place individuals in positions of power so they can fulfill social contracts—not to serve friends, clans, ideologies, corrupt networks, parties, isms (foreign or domestic), or personal gain, but to act in the best interests of everyone.

The next time you cast a vote or support a candidate (these are the underpinnings of any healthy democracy)—whether for office, a committee, or the judiciary—think deeply about how that person strengthens or weakens the system and the society that built those systems. Elevating those with serious moral deficiencies simply because they are connected doesn't really make sense when considering full societal development. People should choose leaders based on merit, competence, and integrity, and remove those who engage in misconduct and lack the empathy to connect with the deeper needs of society (If you can't empathize with others then you cannot truly understand the deeper needs of society. There is some science to support that.). Accountability means repairing harm and ensuring strong checks and balances to protect those who are most vulnerable and most easily dehumanized (An early metric that could lead to a concerning trend under the wrong pressures.). To protect our and our children's futures. There is a greater empathy and standard that emerges. We must always grab the next rung in our climb as a people.

Lies and Neuroscience

Feel free to change around the elements and come see if that impacts what the expected outcomes might be or what would make the most sense. It is ok to disagree and find alternative solutions. This is what learning stories do. 

Choosing Winter: A Day on Marquette Mountain

Rest area on the slope

The wind is in your hair, the snow firm beneath your skis, and as you glide down Marquette Mountain—weaving back and forth—a peculiar thought enters your mind. They call Michigan’s Upper Peninsula a winter wonderland for a reason. Within an hour and forty minutes of Escanaba, there are five ski hills, countless miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails winding through the woods, and plenty of opportunities for winter rabbit hunting. 

Today happens to be a ski day, but if it weren’t, it would be something else—because winter up here invites you to participate rather than stay inside.

It is hard to ski with a latte
in your hand.

The lifts were spinning, and people flocked to the resort to get their time on the snow. Families, friends, and solo skiers filled the mountain, each carving their own lines down the slope. 

You can complain about winter, or you can embrace it—and that choice is entirely yours. Personally, I believe you should make the best of whatever season you’re in.

Along the hill, I noticed a few cozy spots tucked away for people to stop and take a break. Sometimes they have fire pits crackling, offering warmth and a natural place for conversation with complete strangers.

Opening weekend was half off, which gave everyone something to talk about. The money saved might even be enough for a well-earned latte (or other beverage) afterward—a small bonus that somehow makes the day feel even better.

Ski patrol perched at top of hill.

In moments like these, winter doesn’t feel harsh or isolating. It feels social, active, and alive—a season meant to be experienced, not endured. 14 degrees is like an extreme sport!

UP Downhill Ski Report

Marquette Mountain

Short Spurts of 10 Minutes Work Outs at The Office Can Help

Representing fitness at work.

Tod thought about
starting his dance keyboard
business on Ludington Street in
Escanaba. 

His invention is that you jump
on your keys while working 
and working out

Work-life balance in the
same space.

Next up trash can
curls........

When you have a job and a full list of responsibilities, it can be hard to make it to the gym consistently. I know this firsthand—I go through fitness cycles: I’ll get in great shape over a year, let it slide over a few months, then start all over again. One thing I’ve learned is that consistency matters more than perfection. Going to the gym can also be very time-consuming, and it’s not always realistic to expect people to fit in long workouts.

That’s why many people try to squeeze in exercise during lunch breaks or whenever they can find a few spare minutes. The good news is that short workouts—around 10 minutes—can still provide significant benefits. In some cases, they may even support better overall growth and development than infrequent longer sessions.

This is especially encouraging for those of us with regular jobs who work in offices or from home. Even without weights or equipment, stepping away from your chair for brief periods can be used for core work, yoga, self-defense drills, fencing, or any number of other activities—as long as you get your heart rate up.

Take a look at the report below and consider the benefits of workouts that last just 10 minutes. If you’d like help designing a simple routine or just need a little motivation, feel free to reach out with a message to the right. I have a fitness trainer, yoga trainer and have been involved in sports for much of my life, so I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.

10 Minute Workout Research

The American Job Market November 2025: Don't Quit Your Day Job!

Isaac understands the fluctuating 
nature of employment
so he is thinking of taking some 
classes, starting his side hustle,
and creating more opportunities
just in case. 

Isaac can make wood furniture, duck decoys,
farm, fishing, hunting guide, 
handy man, fishing poles,
so on and so forth. 

Growth in lower income and middle
income isn't keeping up with
the wealthy ranks. More
will need to be done.

The American job market appears relatively soft and continues to undergo adjustments and changes. This serves as a reminder that nothing is perfectly stable—conditions are often in flux. As a result, there will always be periods of transition, and as a society, we should prepare as best we can by continuously developing our skills and abilities. This is one of the reasons I’m an advocate for small businesses, side ventures, higher education/knowledge and personal development.

The report indicated that the United States shed 105,000 jobs in October and added 64,000. Job gains were seen in healthcare and social assistance, private education and health services, goods-producing industries, and construction. Declines occurred in leisure and hospitality, as well as transportation and warehousing (The undercurrrents).

The unemployment rate rose to 4.6% in November.

Staying up-to-date on your skills, exploring fields with positive growth trends, and finding ways to reduce expenses or increase income are all important strategies. While this may feel challenging—and while rapid technological adoption will likely bring further market changes—it’s difficult to know exactly where these shifts will ultimately land. However, by continuing to learn about emerging technologies and their impact on your industry, you can position yourself to be far better prepared for whatever comes next.

As always encourage the highest regard and decisions that lead to broader social and economic development.

December 16th, 2025 BEA Employment

Employment Situation Summary Table B. Establishment data, seasonally adjusted

It's a Wonderful Life Radio Casting (Free for the Community)

Recently, I was cast in It’s a Wonderful Life, a live radio show being performed for members of our community. The event is free to attend.

I’ll be playing the Head Angel, which should be especially fun.

This is a live reading with a fully cast ensemble, so it’s truly an honor to be part of the production. Fine arts play a meaningful role in how many of us live and connect in our community.

Come on down to enjoy the show—and if you’re able, please consider donating to support the theater.

Players de Noc December 19th, 2025 It's a Wonderful Life

Things You Didn't Know About It's a Wonderful Life

Guardians of the Guardians: Sacred Values in an Imperfect World

The Story of the Clan is a learning narrative—a thought experiment that asks what happens when justice trips and falls in the mud. In this story, initially there is no meaningful correction, no accountability, and no protection for victims. Corruption was not hidden; and was openly known and long tolerated. It survived because it was wrapped in clan loyalty, group advantage, and the quiet agreement to look the other way. It is also a story of triumph and realignment to a truer north star.

Representing a modern
philosopher discussing
how good people are
the guardians of guardians.

If you read history and philosophy
you will come to understand that 
certain values are sacred and 
central to symbolic processing
and cultural perceptions. They
influence societal trajectory.

Be good to each other, think about who
you support, and encourage
the highest standards of those
we place in entrusted positions.

We have responsibilities
beyond ourselves and 
personal gain.

The harm done in such a system cannot be measured in full. Lives are altered, trust is broken, and communities slowly weaken. Yet even in this dark setting, there is a turning point. Ethical officials, law enforcement officers, ordinary citizens, and victims themselves eventually begin to push back. Much of the corruption is exposed and overturned—though never entirely erased. What made it so difficult to confront was not just power, but bias: a deep discomfort with people seen as “outside” the in-group.

The lesson is a familiar one. Corruption carries a heavy social cost, and its effects linger long after the acts themselves. When sacred values are treated as optional, decision-making narrows. People of integrity and competence are pushed aside, replaced by those who are connected, loyal, or convenient. The same institutions draw public concern year after year, and yet real change is delayed, often because indifference feels easier than reform. Natural adaptation restricted by ideological overendulgence.

Corruption persists where checks-and-balances are weak or non-existent. Those who exploit systems know exactly when rules will not be enforced and when accountability is unlikely. In those moments, they act freely—creating victims, silencing dissent, gagging discussion, retaliating against whistleblowers and punishing those who defend principles that earlier generations strove to establish. Rights and responsibilities fade into the background. Decline follows. Growth returns only when people decide the cost of silence is too high.

This is not an ideal world—and neither is ours. We are imperfect people living in imperfect choices with imperfect factors (Perfection is a goal that can never truly be found but should be sought.) Still, history offers a clear pattern: when corrupted officials drift away from the purpose of their social contracts, economic and social decay follow. When corruption is confronted—when it is named, challenged, and corrected—growth tends to return. That growth spreads more evenly, strengthening communities rather than concentrating power within favored groups.

This is why integrity matters so deeply in public service. Courts, officials, and all who hold authority carry a responsibility not just to rules, but to shared values. Responsibilities lie in the purpose of law and not just its technical gaming (Too many lawyers and and not enough philosophers). There will always be those who seek personal gain through manipulation, partisanship, or extremism. A healthy society does not eliminate these forces entirely—but it refuses to normalize them. 

We should not overlook those who show up every day and do the right thing. These are the citizens and officials who believe in something greater than themselves. The strength of a society depends on choosing the capable over the connected, the principled over the partisan. Progress is built through habit—through repeated, ordinary acts of responsibility—not through chance. History reminds us that wise leadership can open periods of growth, dignity, and shared advancement.

As you reflect on this story and the study that follows, consider how corruption is ultimately weakened—not just by laws, but by a higher moral order/conscious. Each of us has a role in protecting the values that hold communities together. Small actions matter. How we treat one another, how we speak up, and how we participate are real measures of civic character. Your vote matters. It helps shape a system where people, promises, and contracts carry more weight than clans, bands and parties.

Every generation inherits unfinished work. Those before us carried the load as far as they could, and now it is ours. We may have moved the ball only a distance, and the next generation will face challenges of its own. Perhaps our responsibility is to leave them stronger institutions and clearer defined values that will put them in the best strategic place. There will always be those who try to bend aspects of systems for personal gain. Pro-social acts can be as small as helping out a neighbor and donating to some good cause. Many times it is as simple as a smile and a little understanding that fosters good will. Thoughtful people are guardians of guardians so think about what is most important.

This piece is interesting,

Social evolution leads to persistent corruption

*This is a philosophical thought experiment so take with a grain of salt and feel free to debate, disagree, or change the factors.

Art You Can Afford, Critique, or Spill Coffee On (Navigating a Positive Day)

 

Omar realizes
that if his art
is going to sell
it has to be unique in 
some way.
Stick figures might
not sell well.

Another art piece has emerged from the gallery and is now available for the modest sum of $40 on Etsy—or a bargain-basement $35 if you message me directly or use PayPal. As we all know, art is never really worth anything until it suddenly is, which explains why most artists are poor and most people who buy and sell art are mysteriously very confident.

This piece could make a wonderful gift for a relative you don’t particularly care for, or it might serve beautifully as a coffee coaster with an attitude. Either way, it’s versatile and it might resonate with you.

You might also choose to reflect on the brightness of each moment and ponder the navigation of a positive day (I thought that would appeal to the people who like good kharma, do yoga and buy art.). I realize that sounds like an in-depth critical analysis of what is, at its core, a time-based doodle. But if you’re seeking profound insight, consider this: if you wake up each day and think one positive thought—about yourself, the people around you, or something you appreciate—it tends to set the tone for everything that follows.

And while I don’t sell much art, here and there I’m grateful for the people who pause, smirk just a little, and briefly imagine taking this masterpiece home—placing it squarely in the living room where all guests are forced to admire it. A shining example of impressionist art that only those who “get Picasso” will truly understand the likeness.

Ha! 😄

Navigating a Positive Day Lighthouse Acrylic Painting