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The Canvas Breach: A Taoist Reflection on Digital Flow and Impermanence
Water seeks the lowest places—flowing through systems we build, only to remind us that no dam holds forever. Recently, the Canvas learning management platform—used by millions of students, teachers, and over 9,000 educational institutions worldwide—experienced a major cybersecurity incident. The extortion group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility, stating they accessed approximately 275 million records, including names, email…
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The Tao of Tinker Mill: Reflections After a Visit in Colorado
A few days ago I left the quiet routines of my infosec work and drove through crisp Colorado air to Tinker Mill, a makerspace nestled in an old warehouse on the edge of town. I had no grand agenda—just a desire to move my hands and remember that creation itself can be a form of…
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Extreme Ownership Meets the Tao: Discipline, Flow, and the Art of Balanced Leadership
A recent interaction with tech support lead me to an interesting thought. Having been an avid reader of Extreme Ownership and implementing its concepts into my own leadership style I often find it frustrating that many do not take this approach in life. It got me wondering, how does it fit with Taoist teachings? In…
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The Green and the Tao: St. Patrick’s Day Through an Irish-American Lens
Today, March 17, 2026, the streets are alive with green. As someone raised Irish in America, St. Patrick’s Day has always been a riot of color, noise, and unapologetic joy—parades thundering down Fifth Avenue, Chicago River turned emerald, shamrocks pinned to every lapel, and pints raised to shouts of “Erin go Bragh!” It’s the one…
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Navigating Shadows: A Taoist Perspective on Abusive Parents, Healing, and Death
In the quiet wisdom of Taoism, life’s hardships—including the deep wounds from abusive parents—are not battles to win but currents to flow with. The Tao Te Ching teaches that “the soft overcomes the hard,” reminding us that rigidity amplifies suffering, while flexibility fosters peace. For those who’ve endured parental abuse, this philosophy offers a gentle…
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A Half-Hour Lesson in Flow: From Frustration to Connection on a Tech Support Call
Last week I found myself on a thirty-minute call with a tech support agent based in Egypt, trying to untangle a stubborn internet connection issue. I started the conversation irritated—wife upset, Wi-Fi dropping at the worst possible moment, and a persistent issue that randomly happened in the evenings. My tone was clipped, my patience thin.…
About Me
Security Professional, Aspiring Leader, 3D Printer, and of course, a Half-assed Taoist.
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