The complete archive
Words from
a life observed.
46 pieces spanning life, love, teaching, equality, memory, politics, poetry, and the world—collected in one place, with no repeated entries.
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Showing 46 pieces
October 2026 · Essay · Ideas · Politics · Society
Amathia—Our Nation’s Cancer: How Stupidity Controls Intelligent People
A forceful examination of amathia—willful ignorance—and the danger posed when belonging, repetition, and power become more important than truth.
September 2026 · Essay · Life · Aging · Love
Here’s to Old Age
Approaching 83, Timothy reflects on choosing gratitude over regret, keeping the mind young, and measuring a life through love.
June 2026 · Ideas · Technology · World
Artificial Intelligence—Opportunity or Misfortune?
A scientist and lifelong teacher considers the promise of artificial intelligence, its momentum, and the wisdom required to live with it.
2026 · Essay · Family · Memory
A Fatherless Son
A candid meditation on growing up without a father and trying, decades later, to understand fatherhood from the other side.
March 15, 2013 · Essay · Life
LANCING AT WINDMILLS
A compassionate appeal for adults to recognize the burdens carried by young people—and to offer wisdom, empathy, and guidance instead of judgment.
2023-09-01 · Essay · Life · politics · World
WAKE UP TO WOKE—Then Celebrate It
WAKE UP TO WOKE—Then Celebrate It I woke up this morning wondering how in the world someone ever came up with WOKE. If you’re wondering the same thing or are as confused as I was about its meaning, read on. WOKE is an adjective derived from African American vernacular meaning “Alert to racial prejudice and [&hellip
2021-04-08 · Death · Essay · Life · love
Another Farewell
Another Farewell There are two downsides to getting older. The first is ‘getting older’ and dealing with the wrinkles, weaker muscles, and inability to do all the things you once did so easily. The second is having to say goodbye to close friends or family members you outlive, and enduring the pain of their death. [&hellip
2018-01-03 · character · Essay · politics · Strife/Discontent · World
WHERE is America Heading With Moral Character Failing All Around Us?
WHERE is America Heading With Moral Character Failing All Around Us? I cannot find the proper words to express the concern I have for our wondrous America. Why? Because so many people simply cannot set their prejudice/bias aside and see reality. I’m certain there has never been discord, disagreement, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness as bad as [&hellip
2017-08-14 · education · Essay · Strife/Discontent · Uncategorized · World
Simple Solution to White-Supremacist Hate
Simple Solution to White-Supremacist Hate There is an easy solution for dealing with this White Supremacy/Neo Nazi hate, and one that would totally avoid chaos, violence, hate, injury, and death. It’s so easy it will never happen. It is simply this: Completely Ignore It. Allow white supremacists to have a peaceful march, allow them to get on [&hellip
2017-02-21 · CHILDREN · education · Essay · Teaching · Uncategorized · World
U.S. Public Education — Can We Catch Up?
U.S. Public Education – Can We Catch Up? I agree, many, if not most of our public schools need restructuring if this nation is to compete globally. The U.S. ranks a dismal 17th worldwide—which is embarrassing and unacceptable, here are the rankings: 1-Finland, 2-South Korea, 3-Hong Kong, 4-Japan, 5-Singapore, 6-UK, 7-Netherlands, 8-New Zealand, 9-Switzerland, 10-Canada, [&hellip
2017-02-13 · education · Essay · politics · Strife/Discontent · Teaching · Uncategorized
Betsy DeVos–Another Partisan Travesty
Betsy DeVos–Another Partisan Travesty The selection of “Secretary of Education” is a critically important responsibility, yet the seriousness of this position was downgraded to “who the hell cares” by EVERY Republican who voted to confirm Betsy DeVos. I Commend those two HONEST and empathetic Republicans who did not vote for conformation, while I truly ridicule [&hellip
2017-02-08 · Essay · Life · love · Strife/Discontent · Uncategorized
Mind and Body — Our Cup of Love
Mind and Body — Our Cup of Love Though we seldom think about it, we are each comprised of two discrete components which taken together represent the individual we are. We are each a thinking/emotional individual living within a physical being. Our mind and body are discrete, and though we don’t see them as disconnected, [&hellip
2016-10-02 · Essay · politics · Strife/Discontent
President Hatfield or President McCoy?
PRESIDENT HATFIELD OR PRESIDENT McCOY? I cannot find the words to convey adequately how frustrated and, well, “Upset” I am with our political system of government. I’ve written a couple of essays on the plague of partisanship, but the past many months of the race for the presidency has brought out the worst side of [&hellip
2016-04-18 · Essay · politics · Strife/Discontent
My Vote Should Count — It Doesn’t
My Vote Should Count — It Doesn’t In 2013 I wrote the essay, Partisan Dumbass Stupidity: http://timothyjoseph.net/partisan-dumbass-stupidity/ I was upset at our political system and provided the only solution, which I knew full well could never happen. All the chaos and confusion we see, hear, and read every day about the ongoing election process [&hellip
2016-02-25 · CHILDREN · education · Essay · Life · Teaching · Uncategorized
Minds Like Empty Rooms
“MINDS LIKE EMPTY ROOMS” As you know, Harper Lee died at 89, leaving behind the legacy, To Kill a Mockingbird. Published in 1960, the story was about a girl named Scout, and took place in the south when prejudice and bigotry were rampant. Because of the subject matter and truth of her underlying story, her [&hellip
2015-12-27 · Essay · politics · Strife/Discontent · Uncategorized · World
Billionaire Bullies — A Chilling New Class of Americans? NEVER!
Billionaire Bullies — A Chilling New Class of Americans? NEVER! The United States has led the world in many ways, and remains a nation of example. It has been a model of success for which other people worldwide use to map out their path forward. Sure, there are those nations critical of us, but they [&hellip
2015-09-28 · Essay · Life · politics · Strife/Discontent · World
Wealth Inequality
Wealth Inequality Challenges the Health of America My guess is you are every bit as frustrated, disheartened, and yes, angry as I am with the world situation. I have been alive for over seventy years, and my level of anxiety and dismay regarding the actions of people and nations over my lifetime has fluctuated up [&hellip
2015-08-14 · Essay · Life · politics · Strife/Discontent · Urban · World
Hee-Haw Puppet Politics
Hee-Haw Puppet Politics And here we go again. OMG! I can only “hope” that the average American has more sense and better judgement than the average politician. Please tell me it’s so. All we seem to see and hear are various forms of stupidity, arrogance, and foolishness. What happened to intelligence, respect, character, and empathy? [&hellip
2015-06-24 · Death · education · Essay · Life · love · Strife/Discontent · Uncategorized · World
LOVE AFTER HATE
Love After Hate Though this essay is seriously inadequate, I simply must write this to all those beautiful people in Charleston SC who lost so much. No, mere words cannot begin to express the emotions of sorrow and love people of every color and nationality around the world feel for those who died, their families, [&hellip
2015-05-16 · CHILDREN · education · Essay · Life · Teaching
YOU ARE A WRITER
You ‘ARE’ a Writer I was asked this two-part question by a wise young lady at one of my High School talks: “What defines a writer, and why do ‘you’ write?” I looked at her, thanked her for the questions, and replied: “You are a writer.” I looked around the room to the others present [&hellip
2015-05-01 · Death · Essay · Life · love · Uncategorized
GOODBYE MY FRIEND
GOODBYE MY FRIEND As we journey through life we have many, many acquaintances, and lots of friends. And rarely, someone comes along that far surpasses friendship. A friend we “truly love” is a rare breed, and if we have a small handful during our entire lifetime, we are lucky indeed. I just returned from the [&hellip
2015-01-27 · Death · Essay · Life · love
DEPARTING MEMORIES—Positive Only Please
DEPARTING MEMORIES—Positive Only Please. This will likely be a depressing essay for some, as well, many reading it will not agree with me—and that’s perfectly fine. This is merely the thoughts and wishes of one person—me, and I share it with you just in case you do agree. For if you do, you perhaps might [&hellip
2015-01-02 · CHILDREN · education · Essay · Life · Teaching · World
TO REASON OR REGURGITATE? — that is the question
TO REASON OR REGURGITATE? — that is the question Though I am no “Expert” on education, I believe strongly that our systems and testing requirements must be changed. My BS in Ed. prepared me for “teaching” in the classical sense, and I taught grades 7 through 12. As well, I was a college professor, and [&hellip
2014-12-07 · Essay · Life · Strife/Discontent · World
THE WORLD’S #1 PROBLEM
The World’s #1 Problem All around us we see our society and those of other nations in chaos and conflict. Is there a single underlying cause for this worldwide dilemma? Yes! I am convinced the single most devastating societal syndrome conflicting our world today is the lack of independent thought by the majority of the [&hellip
2014-09-22 · Essay · Life
MIND CONTROL OR SLEDGEHAMMER?
MIND CONTROL OR SLEDGEHAMMER? This essay is only for those unfortunate enough to have the same inability as me; one both frustrating and unhealthy. Those of us plagued with this deficit should perhaps get together and form support group so we don’t all go nuts—perhaps call it the SSA—Sledgehammer Swingers Anonymous. If we pool our [&hellip
2014-08-23 · Essay · Life · love
DICHOTOMY OF AGE
Dichotomy of Age There exists a double standard when it comes to aging. Everything is hunky-dory from the time we are born, all through adolescence, school, college, and career. Then, all of a sudden, a duplicity rears its ugly head and we’re seen as “old”. Along with that vision (from the younger set—and yes, some of [&hellip
2014-03-27 · Essay · Life
YOUR FINAL GIFT – A TEACHER TO THE END
YOUR FINAL GIFT – A TEACHER TO THE END Leaving behind a noble legacy is the only reason for living. Many of us struggle to be the best we can be and do all we can to make a positive difference by what we “teach.” We teach our kids, families, friends, and total strangers, by [&hellip
2014-03-05 · Essay · Life · politics
TEARS FOR UKRAINE
Tears for Ukraine It rips my heart out seeing the Ukrainians, from the very young to the very old, in the cold, being shot by snipers, beaten, and degraded—beautiful human beings. Unless you have no empathy, watching the horror on the news brings tears to your eyes. These wonderful mothers, fathers, sons and daughter, children [&hellip
2014-02-03 · Essay · Uncategorized
Political Partisan Stupidity
Political Partisan Stupidity There is a demeaning, self-inflicted black cloud hanging over Washington DC. In the 40 years of Gallup polls, Congress has finally hit the single digits with an approval rating of 9%–yet they still won’t listen or change a thing–true arrogance. I don’t mean to sound snide, but the United States suffers from PPS–Political [&hellip
2014-01-31 · Essay · Life
KILL OR BE KILLED
Kill or be Killed Five close friends are desperately fighting cancer. I’m a survivor only because I was lucky enough to get prostate cancer instead of lung, pancreatic, liver, or others so difficult to battle. The CDC reports that in 2010, 1,575 people died of cancer every day in the U.S., and the American Cancer [&hellip
2014-01-05 · Essay · Life · love
DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY? FIX IT!
Dysfunctional Family? Try To Fix It! As one passes 50 or 60 years of life, we can only hope that the many lessons, happy and sad, painful and prideful, have taught us what truly matters in our life—love shared. But, sadly, even after all those years of living, a flawed sense of self can be [&hellip
2013-12-22 · Essay · Life · love
Those Fighting Cancer–Can We Help?
2013-12-12 · Life · love · poetry
UNBLIND YOUR EYES
2013-11-29 · CHILDREN · Essay · Life · love
ESTEEM, A CHILD’S FOUNDATION
2013-11-19 · Essay · Life · love · poetry · Uncategorized
ENDOWMENTS OF PERFECTION
2013-11-16 · Essay · Life · love
The True Perspective–Everyone Needs To Visit
2013-09-19 · Essay
THE FABRIC OF OUR CHARACTER–OUR QUILT
 
2013-09-08 · Essay
Uncivilized Civilizations
2013-08-14 · Essay
Teachers — Our Unsung Heroes
2013-04-19 · Essay · Life · love
Peace Amongst Chaos
2013-03-25 · Essay
Right or Wrong – Who Can Judge
2013-03-23 · poetry
Tumbling Poem
2013-03-17 · Essay · Life
Writing Can Change A Child’s Life
2013-03-15 · Essay · Life
Prayer
2013-03-15 · Essay · Life · love
THE FIFTH LOVE
2013-03-15 · Essay · Life · love