Oddly Robbie

  • The Grenade That Changed Everything: An Oddly Robbie Reflection

    Trigger Warning: Mentions of explosions, loud noises, and military training stress. It began with the grenade—a paradoxical object of destruction cradled like a fragile artifact. In the line of trainees, fear hung as heavy as the explosives in our hands. Speaking was forbidden, but even if it weren’t, the tension stole words from our throats.…

  • Refining Day: Embracing Empathy as the Core of Our Humanity

    Hello, dear readers—Oddly Robbie here. Today, let’s peel back the layers of our shared humanity, reflecting on a truth as old as time but often forgotten in the shuffle of modern life: how we treat the so-called “least of us” says everything about who we are. Raised in a deeply religious setting, I often heard…

  • From Heartland to Homeland: Jakob’s Journey and Our Shared Quest for Peace

    From Heartland to Homeland: Jakob’s Journey and Our Shared Quest for Peace

    (Warning: does mention violence.) In the heart of the tumultuous 19th century, my great-grandfather Jakob’s journey from Odessa to North Dakota stands as a beacon of resilience and the universal quest for peace. As a family historian, I’ve always felt deeply connected to my ancestors, particularly those who faced extraordinary challenges. Their stories, passed down…

  • Dehumanization: A Logical Perspective (special edition)

    Across various cultures, there’s often an implicit agreement to dehumanize neighboring communities. My aim here is not to justify this behavior or to label it as good or bad but rather to examine it from a logical perspective. Understanding Dehumanization Dehumanization enables us to mentally override our empathy and engage in acts like warfare against…

  • Cultural Carousel: My Global Jaunt

    Ah, the green Montanan turned Mormon missionary! Who would’ve guessed that jetting off to Japan would throw me onto a relentless cultural treadmill? There, my Japanese companion, a model of military discipline, set a grueling pace. Exhausted yet determined, I had no choice but to dive into the deep end of unfamiliar languages and customs.…

  • How having honest history can help us advance as humans, by OddlyRobbie

    The Unvarnished Chapters: Rediscovering Our Collective Saga In the intricate mosaic of human history, the tales that resonate loudest are often those penned by victors, leaving a swath of narratives untold, shrouded in the shadows of oversight. Today, I invite you on an expedition—not to unearth a continent anew, as European explorers once claimed, but…

  • Please have a rest and hear a short story: Human generated

    In the year 2029, the world is abuzz with the most groundbreaking archaeological finds in history. The discovery of Atlantis and El Dorado using state-of-the-art scanning technologies was just the beginning. The real turning point comes when a team of international archaeologists, employing a combination of lidar, x-ray imaging, and other advanced scanning techniques, stumbles…

  • Embracing Empathy: My Journey from Prejudice to Equality

    Into Join me as I share a deeply personal journey that winds through the terrains of identity, love, and acceptance. The Struggle for Authenticity During my deployment in regions hostile to the LGBTQ+ community, I faced a dilemma that tested my authenticity. To communicate with my partner, I had to change his name to a…

  • Gaming with Purpose: A New Frontier

    Hey fellow gamers, As someone who’s navigated the worlds of both military service and virtual reality, I’ve often found myself pondering the ‘whys’ behind our gaming choices. We’re in an age where our virtual experiences can be more than just an adrenaline rush; they can be gateways to learning, empathy, and profound human connections. As…

  • From Retaliation to Resolution: The Untapped Potential of AI for Peace

    In a world plagued by conflicts and misunderstandings, the ever-pressing question looms: “Is there a better way?” As a veteran who has been firsthand witness to the complexities of war, and as someone who navigates the nuances of life with autism and an LGBTQ+ identity, I offer a unique lens to address this question. With…