Essays About Life, The Universe, and Being Human

Honest essays about disability, identity, mental health, money, technology, meaning, and what it takes to live as yourself.

Christopher Peterson with his guide dog, Kronos

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  • Man wearing Grill Master apron cooking burgers on a grill at a crowded outdoor market with Prime Day deal signs

    Why I Don’t Care About Prime Day and You Shouldn’t Either

    Prime Day is here, and apparently everyone expects me to celebrate by panic-buying things I didn’t know I wanted yesterday. I’m not playing along. Instead, I’m sharing why I ignore…

  • Spiral display showing computing advances from punch cards in 1940s to future frontiers in 2030s

    What If AI Is The New BASIC?

    Reunion with an old coworker revealed how AI is transforming software development, shifting roles rather than replacing them. While giants like FORTRAN and COBOL faced skepticism, their rise democratized programming.…

  • Lighthouse with light on during stormy night and large waves crashing nearby

    What Real Strength Looks Like (It’s Not What You Think)

    What does it really mean to be strong? Social media, self-help gurus, and online courses have plenty of opinions, but real strength is far more complicated than most people realize.…

  • Teen boy operating portable ham radio with headset in park

    5 Reasons Ham Radio Still Matters

    Radio has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Through listening to radio, I learned about the world around me, discovered new music, connected…

  • Man wedged between two large, moss-covered rocks looking upward while climbing

    Doing the Right Thing When It’s Hard

    What do you do when you know someone has been harmed, but speaking up feels complicated? Doing the right thing isn’t always clear. You may feel protective of someone, angry…

  • Wooden ramp with handrails and sign reading 'Ramp Access - Welcome Inside' leading to a cafe entrance

    I Couldn’t Verify My Identity Because I’m Blind

    AI-powered identity verification is becoming a standard part of online security, from dating apps to banks and government services. But what happens when those systems aren’t designed for everyone? As…

  • Locked leather journal titled ‘My Goals’ with key, pen, coffee cup on wooden table

    Why You Should Stop Telling People Your Goals

    We’ve all heard that sharing our goals helps keep us accountable. But what if talking about your goals is actually making you less likely to achieve them? In this post,…

  • Woman editing video on dual screens at a wooden desk

    When Technology Makes You Feel Welcome

    As a blind former software engineer, I spend a lot of time thinking about technology, accessibility, and user experience. When I decided to launch my new blog and newsletter, I…

  • Sailboat sailing on calm ocean waters at sunset with colorful sky

    Announcing Permission to Be You: Essays on Life, the Universe, and Being Human

    For years, I’ve been sharing my thoughts about life, the universe, and what it means to be human on Facebook. Along the way, many of you have told me that…