Ty Crisp

A record of my search for greater insight and understanding

May 1, 2021

A New Attempt

I thought I had given up on journaling after an absence of over one month. But today I was compelled to recommit myself. Partially, I was inspired by a very good friend who recently made a comeback in her ambitions. But I was also motivated by my own failings. The possibility of alchemizing my pain…

Essays, Random Musings, Site Updates

authenticity, blogging, doubt, fear, inspiration, journaling, update, writing
February 5, 2021

Productive Disagreements

I recently had the pleasure of viewing a presentation (which I’ve shared below) called “Productive Disagreements: How to Have Civil Conversations,” lead by Dr. Terri Easley-Giraldo. Hosted by Janette Jasperson of the International Education Office at JCCC, this event provides a relevant discourse on the current polarized nature of our society, and discusses a way…

Essays, Political Musings, University

communication, compassion, disagreements, empathy, humanity, JCCC, psychology, society, understanding

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January 8, 2021

Social Media and Religious Syncretism

In the article “What Effect Has the Internet Had on Religion?,” published in The Guardian, author Aleks Krotoski claims that the importance of the internet in everyday life has become a destabilizing force on traditional religion. In order to stay relevant, it’s argued, religious organizations have moved their services online in order to reach wider…

Essays, Spiritual Musings, University

pluralism, religion, social media, social networks, society, sociology, spirituality, syncretism, the internet
December 30, 2020

Monocultural Hybridization

In the article “Can Monoculture Survive the Algorithm?,” published in Vox, author Kyle Chayka outlines two opposing concerns in the mass culture of entertainment. On one hand, digital streaming has resulted in a reduction of society’s ability to connect and relate through entertainment. The author states “The fear is that we exist in a fragmented…

Essays, Random Musings, University

algorithms, cultural fragmentation, cultural imperialism, culture, globalization, homogenization, mass media, media consumption, media streaming, monoculture, society, sociology, technology
December 21, 2020

The Ineffectiveness of Online Advocacy

In the article “The Problem With Social-Media Protests,” published in The Atlantic, author Antonia Malchick argues that online social movements are likely to experience faster burnout and result in less actual policy change than in-person activism. Before the internet increased the speed at which information travels, it’s claimed, advocacy in general was slower growing, but…

Essays, Political Musings, University

activism, advocacy, cyber risks, disinformation, internet, online terrorism, protests, social media, sociology, technology

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December 15, 2020

2020

The title of this post. Enough said. In actuality, there are not enough words in all the tongues of the ages to describe the complexity of our collective experience this past year. We’ve witnessed a pandemic of globally disruptive proportions, political polarization, a hastening of economic stratification, and an overall fragmentation of social cohesion. The…

Essays, Random Musings, Site Updates, Spiritual Musings

2020, COVID-19, polarization, society, spirituality, unity, update
May 20, 2020

Eternally Encroaching

This is probably going to end up being more of a “random musings” type of post, but I wanted to get these thoughts out of my system. As I was perpetuating the mindlessly scrolling culture of social media yesterday, I ran across an interesting article. Apparently the Joe Rogan podcast will be moving exclusively to…

Essays, Random Musings

authenticity, blogging, creativity, greed, hope, media, online, podcasts, trends
April 22, 2020

Destiny and True Will

Recently, I’ve had an interesting insight that I decided to formulate into a blog post. Much of this has been inspired by my foray into the study of alchemy, hermeticism, and the misunderstood works of Aleister Crowley. I recognize that I have only poked a toe down this rabbit hole, but my mind has been…

Essays, Spiritual Musings

alchemy, coronapocalypse, destiny, discovery, fate, free will, hermeticism, integrity, introspection, motivation, perspective, self-work, spirituality, willpower
January 10, 2020

Musings on Acceptance

As an INFJ, I often feel trapped in life by obligations. There is a constant battle inside of me between what I want to do and what will please others. Upon verbalizing this struggle, I am often told to simply ignore what others want and start following my own heart. But the simplicity of this…

Essays, Random Musings, Spiritual Musings

acceptance, anxiety, balance, failure, imperfection, infj, mbti, musings, Myers-Briggs, peace, stress, suffering
December 15, 2019

What Is the Self? Part 1

A common interpretation of many spiritual practices is the transcendence of Self, or rising above one’s identity. This is reflected most prominently in eastern religious traditions, and to a lesser extent, in those of the west. Throughout the ages, much about this subject has been watered down or misinterpreted. The modern pseudo-spiritual approach has taken…

Essays, Spiritual Musings

Buddha, Buddhism, Christianity, musings, no-self, self, skandhas, spirituality, theosophy
August 30, 2019

Story Beginnings: The Ferryman

In a nearly impeccable display of punctuality, I arrived in front of Mr. Tabor’s office door in exactly one piece. I shook my dusty trench coat, dislodging the larger chunks of rubble and sending them flying to the carpeted floor. Such a pity that trans-dimensional travel had to be underground. I was always in a…

Essays, Lost Writings, Story Beginnings

comedy, dark, death, humor, Satire, short story, Terry Pratchett

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August 23, 2019

Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Analysis and Critique

Note: I am finally biting the bullet and starting a new category of posts called “Lost Writings.” Digging through all of my old files has been a reacquaintance with intriguing content from my past. Whether from a formal prompt in English or a free-write session in Writer’s Workshop, they will be shared here. This next…

Essays, Lost Writings, Movie Reviews, Political Musings

analysis, movie review, movies, politics, sci-fi, science fiction

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