Shifting Paradigms
A personal journey to authenticity
One of my all-time favorite novels is Red Rising by Pierce Brown. One of the reasons I like it is because when creating the protagonist, Brown took qualities from other beloved sci-fi and fantasy stories and characters and amalgamated them into the character of Darrow. He took Ender’s level of alternative thinking, the school-houses from Hogwarts, Paul Atriede’s messiah-like leadership, and the dystopia of Panem to create an entirely new, complex character with a keen intellect, resilience, and a burning desire for justice.
One of the major themes in the first novel is the necessity to shift one’s typical thinking–or paradigm. The etymology of the word paradigm comes from the Latin for pattern. Michelle Obama said, “We live by the paradigms we know.” Darrow au Andromeda said, “Change the bloodydamn paradigm.”
The goal of this blog is to reflect on the paradigms that I grew up with–the ones I knew. And how I have shifted from those to entirely new ways of thinking (changing my own bloodydamn paradigm).
The majority of these essays are very personal and deal with elements of my childhood and growing up as the son of a missionary and pastor. I also reflect on my journey from an obedient Christian to a raving heathen.
I invite you to read my essays and join me on this rocky road to authenticity.
