CALL ME MAGGIE

Art/Skill/Techne

  • When Stars Fall to Earth: The Strange Journey of “Revolution” from Copernicus to Robespierre

    The post explores the concept of revolution from its historical meanings to modern interpretations, focusing on two crucial anachronisms in the term “Scientific Revolution.” Initially, revolution signified cyclical restoration, as seen in political contexts from the 17th century to the… Continue reading

    When Stars Fall to Earth: The Strange Journey of “Revolution” from Copernicus to Robespierre

  • Care-Free Wandering (Zhuangzi)

    [PREVIOUS] Responsive to Skillful Attention Following the river where it bends—not because rivers knowbut because bending is what rivers dowhen they meet the unmovable. After months of decluttering awareness through Nagarjuna’s emptiness and learning to show up with skillful attention,… Continue reading

    Care-Free Wandering (Zhuangzi)

  • Adrift in the Ether with AI: Reasoning is Relating

    Our relation to AI may be less about aligning its outputs to “human values” and more about guarding our own capacity for critical examination. This involves relational reflections that forestall premature closure for instrumental certainty. But more fundamentally, prolonged interaction… Continue reading

    Adrift in the Ether with AI: Reasoning is Relating

  • Into the Breath Between Strangers

    the thread of life weaves weird wandering moments Continue reading

    Into the Breath Between Strangers

  • Showing-Up for Emptiness: Excellence Between Obsession and Apathy

    The concept of “showing-up” emphasizes active existence over passive presence. It involves intentional engagement with the world, others, and oneself. By exploring the balance between appetite, emotion, and intellect through the lens of askēsis, individuals can cultivate a deeper, responsive… Continue reading

    Showing-Up for Emptiness: Excellence Between Obsession and Apathy

  • thrown upward

    certainty;s chains vanishI and not-I emptying out distinctions build obedientprisons masquerading as knowledge swinging freelybeing/non-being melt each othercause/effect swallow each other fracturing compositionno independenceno permanenceno claim world resetsin the wake of unholding Continue reading

    thrown upward

  • A Fourfold for the Current Empire

    I explore the concept of “transistance,” a practice of navigating life’s complexities without adhering to rigid frameworks. It emphasizes the importance of embracing ambiguity and interdependence, while rejecting traditional revolutionary approaches. I propose it is a first step of a… Continue reading

    A Fourfold for the Current Empire

  • Whispering New Directions

    The text explores the concept of the practical spirit, emphasizing three modes: contemplative, scientific, and operative. It critiques the dominance of operationalism in modern society, linking it to systemic dehumanization. I advocatesfor “transistance” to navigate beyond established orientations and connect… Continue reading

    Whispering New Directions

  • where eternity’s shadow slinks

    walking about myneighborhood listeningas Debussy fillsthe day with nocturnes scurrying squirrelsleap toward safetyfrom the old thinkerplodding on along is there more bird song?do feathered cousinswhistling and chirpingapprove these preludes? a bee knocks my handon way to freshlyplanted flowerbedgathering pollenalong the… Continue reading

    where eternity’s shadow slinks

  • Neoliberalism: The Operating System of the Society of Control

    Neoliberalism, emerging as a reaction against Keynesian policies, transforms social life through market logic, individual responsibility, and state facilitation of capital. It prioritizes deregulation, privatization, and austerity, reframing citizens as entrepreneurial actors. In Texas, neoliberal policies since the 1990s have… Continue reading

    Neoliberalism: The Operating System of the Society of Control

  • The Great Awakening Trembles

    The Great Awakening trembles before the abyss, its laurels withered by the winds of dialectic. Continue reading

    The Great Awakening Trembles

  • Jazz Theorbo

    My beautiful sibling Dušan Ballarin (University of North Texas, Indiana University, Juilliard) is one of a very few who study Renaissance/Baroque music who could pull off showing up at the Cloisters to accompany the peerless Cécille McLorin Salvant on his… Continue reading

    Jazz Theorbo

  • Encompassing – Bright Truth – Wonderful

    This is a song that I started singing a few days before my dissertation defense as I walked around my neighborhood in the early morning. I think the tune goes back to when I was in the Seminary? I know… Continue reading

  • Sometimes… Faith

    a small poem on the synesthetics of faith in humanity Continue reading

    Sometimes… Faith

  • Tina Turner: Simply the Best

    R. I. P. Tina Turner (1939-2023), one of the best entertainers with a real gift for transcending circumstances and being open to change. 🙏namaste sibling🙏 Continue reading

    Tina Turner: Simply the Best

  • Climbing Mountains

    I was missing my brother quite fiercely today. I am not really sure why… I kept thinking about how we shared a love for Star Wars and SciFi Fantasy. Or how my eclectic taste in music is so much due… Continue reading

    Climbing Mountains

  • Reading my life as a “useless passion”

    Problem posing from my experience increases my existential literacy in the direction of liberatory praxis. Continue reading

    Reading my life as a “useless passion”