Before I wrote for the public, almost everything I wrote was classified, restricted, or private — intelligence reports passing through secure channels, military writing meant for audiences who never had the option of looking away, and poems that traveled no farther than the silence that produced them.
These essays were different. They were the first things I wrote for readers who did not have to read me at all — and who might, for reasons of their own, choose to.
They mark an earlier stage in the development of my thinking. I would frame some things differently now, but I have not disowned them. They remain part of the record — evidence not only of what I thought, but of how thought itself is refined by time, experience, and honest reckoning:
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Leadership and Judgment: Unpacking Gender Dynamics in Legal Decision-Making
The role of gender in legal leadership is complex and nuanced. Recent discussions have highlighted how personal and societal biases can subtly influence judicial decisions against women. A case involving a female CEO in a contract dispute provides a lens through which we can examine these dynamics. This instance offers an opportunity to reflect on… Read more
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Utilizating Modern Propaganda in Political Campaigns: Verifiable Information and Memorable Slogans Manipulating Belief Systems
This is Digital Gunny coming to you again as the 2024 election propaganda machine whirs, with all eyes on how the Biden and Trump campaigns could exploit women’s issues to manipulate voters. So far, their playbooks are straight out of Jacques Ellul’s treatise on propaganda. We’re seeing highly selective facts used to oversimplify complex realities.… Read more
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Unwrapping the Layers of “Silent Nights, Unbroken Ties” This Christmas Season
The holiday season is often painted with broad strokes of joy and togetherness, but what happens when these festive times are shadowed by the complexities of a loved one’s mental illness? “Silent Nights, Unbroken Ties” is a short story that invites readers to explore this delicate dynamic. Set against the tranquil backdrop of Christmas Eve,… Read more
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October 2023 Gender Bias Update
In recent discussions on gender bias, several key issues have been highlighted across various fields. According to Alsalem’s report to the United Nations (Forbes, 2023), there is an alarming continuation of violence against women and girls globally. Complementing this, research from the University of Delaware (2023) presented by Phys.org has challenged long-standing beliefs about gender… Read more
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Discovering a Woman: A Journey Beyond Stereotypes and Towards Wisdom
Today’s blog was inspired by my talented friend Christina Sophia, and it pays homage to the most important woman in my life—my wife. Happy 32nd anniversary! Read my remarks here: https://medium.com/@DigitalGunny/discovering-a-women-5f4c3e25f405. In life’s journey, few landmarks are as significant as the people we choose to share them with. Once upon a time, a naïve 24-year-old… Read more
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Understanding Jacques Ellul’s Propaganda Best Practices
*This article serves as an essential guide for those new to the study of propaganda and keen to explore its multifaceted impact across diverse sectors such as marketing, politics, cinema, and social media communications. Designed to demystify the complex techniques that shape public opinion and drive behavior, this general overview delves into the seminal theories… Read more