By Alan Mercer

Even though I avoid labels nowadays, I still try to be clear about what I believe. Principles are part of the picture, but we need to see the picture for ourselves.

I believe that readers are interested in trying to figure out the world in general and need as much information as possible to do so.

I present third-party media (articles, books, podcasts, videos) when I feel the content has value. Even when I’m sympathetic, it’s not possible to endorse all the views expressed. Readers are urged to investigate and think for themselves.

In many other cases, I am not sympathetic to the authors or speakers at all, but I am presenting their views so that we can better understand the world we live in.

We build on the basics but I feel that we need to be in learning mode much of the time. We have to avoid falling into the trap (often literally a trap for the mind) of just reading the comfortable views of our own “camp” and ideology.

In most cases, I realize that readers can find the topics overwhelming, very challenging and difficult to digest.

We can all benefit from shared information, and one of my goals in future is to try to nail down as many useful facts as possible.

But no two people are going to see things the same way. There is no “expert” who is correct about every detail.

The truth is that we each need to investigate topics of concern and think for ourselves in order to be convinced of any conclusion. This is the kind of conviction that will make a positive difference in this world.

Another issue has to do with faith. I’m using the word in a general sense. Are we just trying to get through this life (it’s short anyway!) without any effort to change things? Are we just going to waste away and let things slide? How can we do anything constructive in this life when there is so much evil? Beyond all the lies and weaknesses, fears and poisons, is there a larger reality that we can stand our ground on? Is there an attitude or spirit that we can adopt that empowers us to cast away fear and live meaningfully? I think there is. If you catch a glimpse of it, grab it and hold on to it.