-
Thanks, Pain, and the Slow Mountain
Thanksgiving is almost here, and my body is falling apart. Perfect timing. This year the arthritis in my neck wakes me at 3 a.m. like a landlord collecting late rent. The left knee clicks when I climb stairs. My lower back has filed an official grievance. I’m not old—not yet—but I’m definitely in the foothills…
-
Suits and a Mine
Sometimes the universe hands you a scene so perfectly absurd, you just have to stand back and let the Tao laugh through you. Today was one of those days. The Lobby of the Absurd The morning air was cool, not cold—like the breath before a detonation, quiet with promise. I stood at the mine entrance…
-
From Stage Fright to Sage Light: A Taoist Journey in Public Speaking and Business Continuity
Last month, I received an unexpected email: an invitation to guest-lecture on disaster recovery and business continuity planning at a local university. The audience? Nearly one hundred students, bright-eyed and notebook-ready. My first reaction wasn’t excitement. It was anxiety. I’ve faced ransomware, nation-state intrusions, and zero-days that kept me up for nights. But public speaking?…
-
Who Learns More: The Student or the Teacher?
In the dance of knowledge, who truly gains more—the one who receives or the one who gives? From a Taoist lens, this question dissolves into the flow of the Tao itself, where teaching and learning are not separate but intertwined, like the yin and yang. Drawing from the Tao Te Ching, Chuang Tzu, and modern…
-
The Taoist Concept of Te and Red Team Activities
In the realm of cybersecurity, where proactive defense is key, the Taoist concept of Te—often translated as virtue, integrity, or power—offers a profound lens for understanding Red Team and penetration testing (pentest) activities. Rooted in the Tao Te Ching, Te represents the natural expression of the Tao, the underlying principle of the universe, manifesting as…
-
Taoism, the Pitfalls of Active Laziness, and Effortless Effort in Security
In the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, where efficiency can mean the difference between safety and breach, the ancient philosophy of Taoism offers valuable insights. However, the concept of “active laziness”—when interpreted as being perpetually busy yet accomplishing little—can undermine security efforts. Paired with “effortless effort” (or wu wei), as explored in the What’s This Tao…
About Me
Security Professional, Aspiring Leader, 3D Printer, and of course, a Half-assed Taoist.
Buy a Taoist a beer
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Thank you!
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlyFollow Me On
The Half-assed Taoist 