UNCLE PIZZA AGEGE BREAD

  In Canada, conversations around assimilation and integration often focus on visible minorities or immigrant groups. We question whether they are truly adapting to Canadian values. But perhaps the question should be turned inward: *are we, ourselves, living fully by the values we claim to uphold?* Assimilation is not simply about language, food, or the celebration of national holidays. At the core of Canadian identity lies a fundamental principle—**freedom of choice.** This freedom allows individuals to live according to their values and preferences, provided they do not harm others. It is the bedrock upon which multiculturalism, equality, and democratic governance rest. Yet, within our society, we practice a form of *selective morality*. We embrace certain aspects of freedom but quietly impose restrictions on others, often shaped by cultural trends or personal biases. Tattoos, once considered taboo, are now widely accepted—even celebrated. LGBTQ identities, long stigmatized, are ...

Intelligence is often celebrated as a measure of knowledge or aptitude, yet the truest form of intelligence lies not in what we know, but in how we perceive, question, and engage with reality. Bias—the subtle inclination to favor what we already believe—acts as a quiet poison. It dims the mind, shackles the imagination, and substitutes certainty for understanding. To love bias is to love the chains that bind the mind. When the mind clings to bias, it ceases to explore and begins to justify. Facts are filtered through preconceptions; evidence is weighed only if it reinforces existing beliefs. This is not mere stubbornness—it is the erosion of rational thought. A person in love with their bias is like a gardener who waters only the weeds while starving the flowers. Knowledge becomes selective, understanding shallow, and wisdom unattainable. History whispers cautionary tales. Galileo’s advocacy for a heliocentric cosmos was vilified not for lack of truth, but for its threat to entrenched ...

Among the many struggles an adult faces—career uncertainties, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and health challenges—there is one battle that quietly shapes all the others: the battle with the ego. It is not fought on a battlefield, but in the hidden chambers of the mind and heart. Unlike external challenges, this one is deeply personal, continuous, and profoundly transformative. The ego is not inherently bad. It gives us individuality, a sense of worth, and the drive to achieve. Without ego, there would be no ambition, no self-protection, and no assertion of identity. However, when left unchecked, the ego distorts reality. It convinces us that we are always right, that our value depends on recognition, and that our happiness is tied to superiority over others. It fosters pride, insecurity, and an endless cycle of comparison. For adults navigating relationships, workplaces, or community life, this unchecked ego can become an obstacle. It fuels conflicts in marriages, power...

Netflix’s documentary *Fit for TV* revisits the phenomenon of *The Biggest Loser*, the once-wildly popular reality show where contestants shed pounds under grueling physical and emotional conditions. The documentary highlights the struggles of several former participants—most of whom lost significant weight during filming, only to regain it later. Their testimonies emphasize how harmful the show’s methods were, how humiliating the fat-shaming felt, and how much they wished they had lost weight “for themselves” rather than “for TV.” There’s no denying that the show was designed to entertain, not necessarily to promote sustainable health. The cameras thrived on drama—intense weigh-ins, punishing workouts, emotional breakdowns—all crafted into compelling storylines. It’s also true that the culture of shaming overweight individuals was not just present but amplified by reality TV producers chasing ratings. That deserves criticism. And yet, a closer look reveals a paradox in the way *Fit fo...

In a world where technology has leveled the playing field and information is accessible to almost anyone with an internet connection, the traditional advantages of skill, capital, and influence are no longer as decisive as they once were. Competence has become commonplace. The tools to create, compete, and innovate are widely available. In this new environment, a subtler, more potent tool has emerged — one that can dominate without firing a shot or signing a contract: empathy . Empathy, in its pure form, is a virtue. It fosters understanding, bridges divides, and drives compassionate action. But like any powerful force, it can be distorted. When empathy is no longer about genuine understanding but about compelling submission, it becomes a weapon. This is the birth of “weaponized empathy” — the ability to shame, silence, or control others by framing moral opposition as cruelty and dissent as heartlessness. The mechanics are simple. First, identify a cause — often linked to historical...

In recent years, Canadian politics has become increasingly dominated by the language of empathy, sentiment, and — at times — confrontation. Leaders speak movingly about supporting struggling families, protecting workers, standing up to foreign adversaries, and defending Canadian values. These messages resonate emotionally, but they miss the mark where it matters most: the economy. Let us be clear: empathy is not a sustainable economic policy. Of course, we should care about our neighbours. Of course, government should support the vulnerable and ensure no one is left behind. But good intentions do not create jobs, attract investment, or raise productivity. Empathy without a plan leads only to mounting deficits, declining competitiveness, and a growing sense of frustration among the very people it claims to help. Sentiment is not a sustainable economic policy either. We often hear talk about “protecting Canadian industries” or “preserving Canadian identity” in the face of globalizat...