Sitemap

Published in the Electronic Journal of Sociology, this early article explores the emergence of electronic journals as a transformative force in scholarly communication, raising questions about access, economics, and the role of technology in reshaping academic publishing.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (1996). "Electronic Journals: The Grand Information Future?" *Electronic Journal of Sociology*, 2(3).
Download Paper

Subjectivity and the Labour Process - A Case Study in the Restaurant Industry

Published in Work, Employment, and Society, 1997

Participant observation study in the food and beverage industry.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (1997). "Subjectivity and the Labour Process: A Case Study in the Restaurant Industry. Work, Employment, and Society.
Download Paper

ICAAP eXtended Markup Language: Exploiting XML and Adding Value to the Journals Production Process

Published in D-Lib Magazine, Volume 5 Number 2, 1999

This article in D-Lib Magazine describes ICAAP’s development of the ICAAP eXtended Markup Language (IXML), an XML-based system designed to streamline journal production, enhance metadata handling, and provide robust, low-cost alternatives to commercial scholarly publishing.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (1999). "ICAAP eXtended Markup Language: Exploiting XML and Adding Value to the Journals Production Process." *D-Lib Magazine*, 5(2). ISSN 1082-9873.
Download Paper

Electronic Journals and the Transformation of Scholarly Communication - Constraints and Technical Possibilities

Published in University of Alberta, 1999

PhD Thesis on the political economy of scholarly publication

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (1999). "Electronic Journals and the Transformation of Scholarly Communication: Constraints and Technical Possibilities." Department of Sociology, University of Alberta.
Download Paper

Electronic First: The Upcoming Revolution in the Scholarly Communication System

Published in Journal of Electronic Publishing, 2001

A look at the upcoming revolution in scholarly publication brought about by the advent of electronic journals.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2001). "Electronic First: The Upcoming Revolution in the Scholarly Communication System." Journal of Electronic Publishing, 7(2).
Download Paper

Influence of Socioeconomic Status and Gender on High School Seniors’ Use of Computers at Home and at School

Published in Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 2003

A study of Alberta high school seniors examining how socioeconomic status (SES) and gender shape patterns of computer access and use at home and at school. Findings show that social inequalities are reproduced in home computer use, while school computer use benefits primarily lower SES students.

Recommended citation: Lowe, G. S., Krahn, H., & Sosteric, M. (2003). "Influence of Socioeconomic Status and Gender on High School Seniors’ Use of Computers at Home and at School." *Alberta Journal of Educational Research*, 49(2), 138–154. https://doi.org/10.55016/ojs/ajer.v49i2.54970
Download Paper

Endowing Mediocrity: Neoliberalism, Information Technology, and the Decline of Radical Pedagogy

Published in The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, 2004

Published in The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies, this article critiques the corporatization of universities, showing how neoliberal funding strategies and technological discourses undermine radical pedagogy and reinforce mediocrity in higher education.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2004). "Endowing Mediocrity: Neoliberalism, Information Technology, and the Decline of Radical Pedagogy." *The Review of Education, Pedagogy, and Cultural Studies*, 26(4), 339–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/10714410490886935
Download Paper

Case Study: eduSource and the Athabasca University Digital Library Project

Published in ASTD (original submitted article), 2004

A case study describing Athabasca University’s role in the pan-Canadian eduSource project, highlighting the creation of open source applications, digital repositories, and intelligent agents to support online learning.

Recommended citation: McGreal, R., Anderson, T., Hubick, C., Lin, F., Sosteric, M., Tin, T., & Yasynska, O. (2004). "Case Study: eduSource and the Athabasca University Digital Library Project." ASTD (submitted article).
Download Paper

The International Consortium for the Advancement of Academic Publication — An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Finally!)

Published in Learned Publishing, Volume 17, Number 4, 2004

Published in Learned Publishing, this article outlines the origins, rationale, and potential of the International Consortium for the Advancement of Academic Publication (ICAAP), a low-cost, scholar-led alternative to commercial journal publishing.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2004). "The International Consortium for the Advancement of Academic Publication — An Idea Whose Time Has Come (Finally!)." *Learned Publishing*, 17(4), 319–325. https://doi.org/10.1087/0953151042321644
Download Paper

A Sociology of Tarot

Published in Canadian Journal of Sociology, 2014

Published in the Canadian Journal of Sociology, this article treats Tarot as a sociological object—mapping its institutional uses, ideological functions, and role in modern meaning-making.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2014). "A Sociology of Tarot." *Canadian Journal of Sociology*, 39(3), 357–392. https://doi.org/10.29173/cjs20000
Download Paper

Mysticism, Consciousness, Death

Published in Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research, 2016

Published in the Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research, this article connects mystical experience to questions of consciousness and mortality—challenging narrow materialist framings.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2016). "Mysticism, Consciousness, Death." *Journal of Consciousness Exploration & Research*, 7(11), 1099–1118.
Download Paper

The Sociology of Mysticism

Published in isa.e-Forum (International Sociological Association), 2017

This paper argues that sociology has neglected the mysticism dimension of Troeltsch’s church-sect-mysticism framework, offers guidance for operationalizing mystical experience, and warns against mystocentrism.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2017). “The Sociology of Mysticism.” *isa.e-Forum* (International Sociological Association).
Download Paper

Teen suicide is on the rise — and this is why

Published in The Conversation, 2017

I examine the disturbing rise in teen suicide rates and connect it to social disconnection, consumer pressures, and the broader failures of neoliberal culture.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2017). "Teen suicide is on the rise — and this is why." The Conversation.
Download Paper

World War Three is being waged in cyberspace

Published in The Conversation, 2017

I argue that a new kind of world war is already underway — not with bombs and armies, but through cyberattacks, disinformation, and digital manipulation.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2017). "World War Three is being waged in cyberspace." The Conversation.
Download Paper

Trump’s manipulation of mass consciousness

Published in The Conversation, 2017

I explore how Donald Trump taps into collective fears, myths, and archetypes to manipulate public consciousness and consolidate power.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2017). "Trump’s manipulation of mass consciousness." The Conversation.
Download Paper

Mystical Experience and Global Revolution

Published in Athens Journal of Social Sciences, 2018

Published in the Athens Journal of Social Sciences, this paper argues that authentic mystical experience carries disruptive moral and political implications—especially under conditions of ecological and social crisis.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2018). "Mystical Experience and Global Revolution." *Athens Journal of Social Sciences*, 5(3), 235–255. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajss.5-3-1
Download Paper

Are bullies alpha males — or sick puppies?

Published in The Conversation, 2018

I challenge cultural myths about bullies as “alpha males,” showing instead that bullying reflects damage, insecurity, and social conditioning.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2018). "Are bullies alpha males — or sick puppies?" The Conversation.
Download Paper

Why we should all cut the Facebook cord — or should we?

Published in The Conversation, 2018

I analyze the costs of Facebook, from privacy violations to social manipulation, while questioning whether simply quitting the platform solves deeper structural issues.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2018). "Why we should all cut the Facebook cord — or should we?" The Conversation.
Download Paper

How money is destroying the world

Published in The Conversation, 2018

I argue that money, far from being a neutral tool, has become a destructive force that corrodes relationships, values, and the planet.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2018). "How money is destroying the world." The Conversation.
Download Paper

The damage we’re doing to our children — and ourselves

Published in The Conversation, 2018

I explore how modern parenting, education, and social pressures undermine children’s well-being and, in turn, harm adults and society as a whole.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2018). "The damage we’re doing to our children — and ourselves." The Conversation.
Download Paper

How the conservative right hijacks religion

Published in The Conversation, 2019

This piece analyses how progressive-political actors often leave religion and spirituality to the political right, allowing the conservative movement to shape religious discourse, build moral majorities, and align faith with elite or commercial interests.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2019). "How the conservative right hijacks religion." The Conversation.
Download Paper

The red pill or the blue pill: endless consumption or sustainable future?

Published in The Conversation, 2020

This article uses the metaphor of the red pill/blue pill to contrast current patterns of endless consumption with a possible sustainable future, urging both individuals and societies to challenge economic growth norms and embrace alternatives grounded in ecological and social justice.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2020). "The red pill or the blue pill: endless consumption or sustainable future?" The Conversation.
Download Paper

The Catholic Church is a rich male collective

Published in The Conversation, 2020

This article argues that the institutional Catholic Church remains dominated by wealthy and male interests, and calls for structural reform, greater accountability, and inclusive leadership to align the Church with its stated ethical mission.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2020). "The Catholic Church is a rich male collective." The Conversation.
Download Paper

Response to Saad: The Sociology of Spirituality

Published in Academia Letters, 2021

A response to Marcelo Saad’s call for a sociology of spirit, critiquing Spiritism and highlighting the role of elite interference in shaping spiritual systems. Proposes an alternative framework for authentic spirituality rooted in critical sociology and evolutionary theory.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2021). "Response to Saad: The Sociology of Spirituality." *Academia Letters*, Article 4524. https://doi.org/10.20935/AL4524
Download Paper

Rethinking the Origins and Purpose of Religion: Jesus, Constantine, and the Containment of Global Revolution

Published in Athens Journal of Social Sciences, 2022

Published in the Athens Journal of Social Sciences, this paper argues that while the Church is often authoritarian, the gospels reveal a revolutionary Jesus—and that later institutional containment reshaped Christianity into a tool of order.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2022). “Rethinking the Origins and Purpose of Religion: Jesus, Constantine, and the Containment of Global Revolution.” *Athens Journal of Social Sciences*, 9(1), 69–88. https://doi.org/10.30958/ajss.9-1-4
Download Paper

It Takes a Village: Advancing Attachment Theory and Recovering the Roots of Human Health with the Seven Essential Needs

Published in Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, 2022

Published in Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work, this paper advances an attachment-informed model of human health grounded in “Seven Essential Needs” and the social environments required to meet them.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike, & Ratkovic, Gina. (2022). "It Takes a Village: Advancing Attachment Theory and Recovering the Roots of Human Health with the Seven Essential Needs." *Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work*, 34(1), 113–127. https://doi.org/10.11157/anzswj-vol34iss1id887
Download Paper

Connection 100: An Auto-Ethnography of My (Mystical) Connection Experiences

Published in Religions, 2022

Published in Religions, this autoethnography documents and systematizes a large set of connection experiences, focusing on interpretation, integration, and the social conditions shaping spiritual meaning.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2022). "Connection 100: An Auto-Ethnography of My (Mystical) Connection Experiences." *Religions*, 13, 993. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100993
Download Paper

Religion Does Matter (But It’s Only Half the Story)

Published in Manuscript, 2024

This manuscript responds to debates about sociology’s neglect of religion, arguing that serious analysis must also include mysticism—i.e., “mystical experience,” reframed here as connection experience.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike, & Sosteric, Tristan. (Manuscript). “Religion Does Matter (But It’s Only Half the Story).”
Download Paper

Gateway to Eden: Darwin, Lamarck, and the Ascent of Humanity

Published in Manuscript (Version .80), 2024

This manuscript argues that epigenetics and transgenerational inheritance revive Lamarckian mechanisms, forcing a rethink of Darwinian and Social-Darwinian assumptions—with implications for capitalism, eugenics, and escaping planetary crisis.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (Version .80). *Gateway to Eden: Darwin, Lamarck, and the Ascent of Humanity* (Manuscript).
Download Paper

The Science of Ascension: A Neurologically Grounded Theory of Mystical/Spiritual Experience

Published in Manuscript (Version .90), 2024

This manuscript proposes a neurologically grounded theory of mystical/spiritual experience (“connection experience”), tracing it to suppression of the Default Mode Network and introducing measurement and research directions (including a Q-Scale).

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (Version .90). *The Science of Ascension: A Neurologically Grounded Theory of Mystical/Spiritual Experience* (Manuscript).
Download Paper

Imaginal Research for Unlearning Mastery: Divination with Tarot as a Tool for Decolonization

Published in Anthropology of Consciousness, 2024

Published in Anthropology of Consciousness, this paper frames “imaginal research” and Tarot-based divination as a method for disrupting mastery-oriented epistemologies and supporting decolonizing inquiry.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike, & Ratkovic, Gina. (2024). "Imaginal Research for Unlearning Mastery: Divination with Tarot as a Tool for Decolonization." *Anthropology of Consciousness*, 35(1), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/anoc.12219
Download Paper

From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Art, Science, and Technology of Mass Human Manipulation

Published in Athens Journal of Philosophy, 2024

Published in the Athens Journal of Philosophy, this paper traces how master narratives—religious and secular—are engineered and propagated as mass-manipulation technologies, shaping belief, identity, and compliance.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike. (2024). "From Zoroaster to Star Wars, Jesus to Marx: The Art, Science, and Technology of Mass Human Manipulation." *Athens Journal of Philosophy*, 3(4). https://doi.org/10.30958/ajphil.3-4-1
Download Paper

Eupsychian Theory I: Reclaiming Maslow and Rejecting The Pyramid – The Circle of Seven Essential Needs

Published in Athens Journal of Psychology, 2026

This preprint rejects the simplified “pyramid” reading of Maslow and proposes a more holistic, Indigenous-rooted Circle of Seven Essential Needs as the basis for a serious theory of human flourishing.

Recommended citation: Sosteric, Mike, & Ratkovic, Gina. (2026). "Eupsychian Theory I: Reclaiming Maslow and Rejecting The Pyramid – The Circle of Seven Essential Needs" *Athens Journal of Psychology*
Download Paper

student_work

A fascinating Course

Published: March 03, 2018

This has been a fascinating course for me. I think my husband has begun to dread my appearance at his office door, textbook in hand, as I launch into yet another rant about the appalling things done to society in the name of religion. The treatment of women has been something I have found particularly challenging. How is it that humanity has moved so far from the peaceful matriarchal societies and religions of ancient times? I was struck by the similarities between ancient Sparta and the Salem witch hunts and trials. I realized that the similarity might not be immediately apparent, but the textbook readings about ancient Sparta’s vile practices were, for me, an overwhelming example of evil and, particularly, evil that focused on the weak. Spartan women existed only for the sexual whims of Spartan men. Helot women could be raped at any time. Babies could be tossed from cliffs to end an inconvenient life. It was a religion of abuse that seems to have celebrated all that is cruel and barbaric in the worst of the human condition. Likewise, the Salem episode was cruel and barbaric. Yes, the accussers were women, but the accussed were mostly women, and the authorities that carried out the trials and the punishments were men. Men got to strip women naked and examine their bodies. Men got to prick them with pins. Men were duty bound to torture them into confession. Those men, it seems to me, stepped out of Sparta and into Salem. Same attitude, different outfits.

Best Course Ever”

Published: September 21, 2019

This course is one of the best I have ever taken. As someone who has always questioned religion, society, and why people do the things they do, I found that I found some of the answers to my questions as I read course materials, worked on assignments, and read Dr. Mike’s informative and interesting commentaries. I really enjoyed critiquing New Ageism, and I learned a lot about how emergent religions are just a different avenue of the inherent search for meaning in life and answers to the big questions that people have.

Sociology 287 and 288

Published: July 07, 2020

I have now taken Intro to Sociology 1 and 2 and I wanted to reach out to you just to let you know how much I enjoyed both classes. You have made the learning process very enjoyable for me. I appreciate your willingness to create courses that don’t conform to the typical structure. You challenge students to think critically and not to simply accept the social norms that too many people take comfort in. Thank you for opening our eyes. I also thoroughly enjoyed your book “Rocket Scientists Guide to Money and the Economy…” It was an excellent way to simplify our capitalist society. I may disagree a bit on the necessity for spirituality in changing the system but that could be my bias as a non spiritual person. It was still an exceptional book and I have already lent it out and recommended it to others.

The Indigenous Roots of Rock and Roll

Published: July 07, 2020

As I reflect back on the course material while I write this assignment, the words that stand out to me are: Social Movement; Propaganda; Ideology; Competition; Homework; Link Wray; Jim Keen; Slaughterhouses; Biodiversity; #MeToo; Cooperative Learning; Seed Monopolies; Demobilization; Corruption.

The Power of Education

Published: February 05, 2024

I thoroughly enjoyed the SOCI 288 Introduction to Sociology II course. Initially, when I reviewed the course materials and the website, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of resources, readings, and course deliverables. It seemed like an insurmountable task to read through everything and internalize and retain the information. However, as I began to dive into the material, I found it deeply engaging, informative, and thought- provoking, which made the learning process much more enjoyable than I had anticipated.

Theory and Praxis Happily Combined

Published: January 01, 2025

SOCI288 was the second sociology course I took, and before enrolling, I was not sure what to expect, as I had little prior knowledge of this field of study. Coming from a career in Mechanical Engineering and immigrating from Brazil (which brought a unique cultural perspective and challenges with the English language), I must admit I was initially concerned about my performance and the quality of my learning experience. Fortunately, as the course progressed, my concerns transformed into joy as I gained valuable knowledge and found ways to apply the content to various areas of my life.

Western Elitism

Published: February 13, 2025

Prior to taking this course, I realized I never paid attention to technology and science or their effects on my daily life. Still, I have to emphasize that I never truly realized the damaging effects of technology, or perhaps I never truly wanted to. Technology and its power to connect and innovate are magical yet poisonous, and I am surprised that I never looked at it that way prior to this class but, this is what learning is all about. I, just like billions of the other people on the planet, rely on my smartphone, my laptop and all the other beautiful things that technological advances have provided me with but, I have to admit that the use of these devices has rendered me blind and easy to take advantage of, something I believe, even after this course will never change. Technology and its power to control us using those beautiful glass screens is something that frightens me. Still, the fear, I believe, will quickly dissipate and disappear as brand new technology arrives and blinds me once more. I have learned quite a few things that I believe will stay with me in light of all this, acting as reminders every once a while because honesty still remains the best policy.

The Most Successful Social Movements are Started by the Rich

Published: February 28, 2025

Before I began SOCI 288: Introduction to Sociology II, I would have told you I understood the world quite well. After all, I was a carpenter who had lived through poverty, witnessed political theatre at its finest, survived inflation, burnout, and disillusionment. I subscribed to Catholicism—particularly Franciscan spirituality—which emphasizes service to the poor and marginalized. I considered myself a person who already saw the cracks in society. But this course did something different: it helped me name the cracks, trace their origins, and most importantly, recognize how those in power paint over them with ideological primer and call it a “prosperous democracy”.

The Most Successful Social Movements are Started by the Rich

Published: February 28, 2025

When I began reading the coursework for this class on social movements, I thought that the emphasis of information would be on rights movements. The rights of marginalized people, the disabled, people of colour, Aboriginals of the world, and those living on the fringes of society like queers. It was most clever for SOCI 288 to begin with the history and impact of #METOO, a social movement focusing on the sexual misconduct of men toward women in many industries. This movement set the stage for outrage but also served as an example of how information can spread like wildfire through systems that can carry the message. Social movements are all about messaging. Putting your words in the hands of the public and showing them the truth of those words is what allows social movements to mobilize resources and create true change. What I expected of this course would be examples of the most successful social movements of all time and I was not wrong on this count. What I did not expect was that the most successful social movements in our living history were social movements created by massive multi-corporate alliances.

A Sociological Mirror

Published: April 12, 2025

When I started SOCI287, I expected to pick up a few new perspectives on social issues. Maybe learn about inequality, culture, and institutions, the usual stuff. But what I didn’t expect was how much of the course would turn into a mirror, showing me things I hadn’t fully seen in my own life. I thought I would be learning about “society” but instead, I ended up learning about myself, where my beliefs came from, how my identity was shaped, and why certain things that used to feel personal were actually deeply political.

Caring is not enough

Published: May 15, 2025

Throughout SOCI288, I found myself not only studying ideology, power, and resistance, but slowly recognizing how deeply these forces have shaped my own life. As a woman from an Arab background, a community worker, and someone who values community, I have often felt a quiet but persistent tension between who I am and how dominant systems expect me to be as a parent for a child in school, at my work, etc.

Profound Analytic Framework

Published: May 18, 2025

When I first enrolled in Introduction to Sociology, I anticipated learning about social groups and perhaps some statistical trends in society. What I discovered instead was a profound analytical framework that has fundamentally altered how I perceive the world around me. Sociology has equipped me with conceptual tools to examine social structures, understand human behavior beyond individual psychology, and recognize patterns of inequality that shape our collective experience. This essay reflects on the key concepts, theories, and perspectives I’ve gained throughout this course, demonstrating how sociology has transformed my understanding of society and my place within it. ** Sociological Imagination**

A Transformative Journey

Published: May 24, 2025

When I started this course, I expected it to be boring, laced with sociological theories, but what I encountered has been transformative. This course has fundamentally changed the way I think about society, institutions, and my role within them. Rather than seeing the world as a set of isolated problems, I now understand that most of the challenges we face like poverty, racism, gender inequality, environmental collapse are interconnected and systemic. Each unit in this course peeled back a layer of the world I thought I knew, revealing power structures and social mechanisms designed not to serve everyone equally but to sustain a privileged few. This course gave me critical tools to see through dominant narratives and to start questioning how things came to be and what alternatives might exist.

An Indigenous Voice

Published: May 28, 2025

A particularly liberating lesson from this course was the critical examination of the Western ideology of competition. I learned that the widely celebrated notions of competition are socially constructed narratives designed to benefit elite interests by pitting individuals against one another.

A Personal Journey

Published: May 29, 2025

Honestly, when I registered for this course, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I thought maybe I would just learn some facts about society, memorize some theories, maybe talk about why people do the things they do. I figured I’d learn some new material, hopefully get decent grades, and move on to the next thing. I never imagined that by the end of it, I’d be sitting here writing a reflection that feels a little like looking back on a personal journey. I didn’t expect it to change how I see almost everything around me. Looking back now, I realize this course has completely shifted my perspective. It made me see how connected everything is, from the jobs we work, to the things we buy, to the very ideas we have about success and fairness.

A Conscious Awakening

Published: June 18, 2025

I initially believed that this course would only introduce me to the fundamentals of social institutions including family, religion, education, and race. However, after reflecting on the entire semester, I’ve concluded that this course not only imparts knowledge but also symbolizes a conscious awakening. From the standpoints of social structure and ideology, it forced me to reevaluate my life experiences and comprehend “who I am,” “why I have become who I am today,” and “how I should change.”

What Have I Learned

Published: June 25, 2025

In reflecting on the ten units in this course, my biggest take away is that the nature of how human beings interact, both at an individual and organizational level, is incredibly complex. By actively participating in this course, completing the commentary, reading the text, writing the learning journals, I have gained an appreciation for the complexities involved in our social settings and interactions – how each and every one of us has different experiences and different socialization factors that have influenced and shaped our positions and outlooks. I find this incredibly interesting. It also humbles me a little bit; in nearing the end of an introductory level sociology course I recognize the depth and complexity of the subject.

Going Deeper

Published: June 26, 2025

I walked into this course thinking I was relatively informed and steadfast on my views of the “reality” of the world. I’m a mom in my 40s, raising three kids, running a business, showing up for clients, and going back to school to finish what I started years ago. I assumed sociology would offer some insight, but mostly just reinforce what I already understood: people are different, systems aren’t always fair, and we’ve all got a role to play. I didn’t expect to be peeling back layers of my own upbringing and questioning the rules I’ve been following most of my life.

Reflections on the Course (Soci 460)

Published: June 27, 2025

When I enrolled in SOCI 460, I thought I would be learning about algorithms, digital infrastructure, and maybe some history about computers or the internet, I didn’t expect this course to it so close to home. I had no idea I would end up thinking about the Catholic Church, the masculine foundations of science, spiritual longing, Facebook content moderators, or the invisible ands that curate and control my daily life. More than that, I didn’t expect to be sitting with guilt, grief, awe, and a renewed sense of responsibility.

The Religion of Technology

Published: June 27, 2025

As a visiting student from the University of Waterloo, I came to SOCI 460 with a unique background that shaped my engagement with this course’s material. Having taken CS 492 (Social Implications of Computing) at Waterloo, which considers the impact of computing on individuals, organizations, and society and aims to equip the student to make informed judgements about the social and ethical consequences of the deployment of computing technologies”, I had been moderately familiarized with examining technology’s social effects. However, CS 492 approached these issues primarily through technical ethics and computer science frameworks, focusing on topics like algorithmic bias, privacy protection, and professional responsibility in software development.

Not What I Expected

Published: July 14, 2025

In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect to get out of this course when I registered. At first, I thought it might be a general overview of how information technology (IT) works in our day-to-day lives, or potentially the general changes information technology has had on our society throughout time. But going through the units, readings, and assignment, I’ve been surprised at how much this course made me think deeply and challenge my initial perspective about how information and technology are tied into power, inequality, politics, and even our sense of self. On a personal level, I thoroughly enjoy learning about these topics. But as an engineering student, I most definitely was not used to doing it in an academic setting. It wasn’t always easy or comfortable, but it was absolutely worth it.

Thank You for Writing the Rocket Scientists’ Guide to Money and the Economy

Published: July 17, 2025

I am downloading this PDF for my studies at Athabasca University, but I do want to thank you for writing the Rocket Scientists’ guide to money and the economy. I have thoroughly enjoyed that book. It’s like you are vaguely aware that things don’t match up with society and you are confused why there are rich people ignoring the starving children and homeless, but you wrote about it in a way that was easy to follow and broke down the steps of their process. Thank you for that. I am sharing that book with everyone I know.

New Insights

Published: September 26, 2025

I came into this course thinking mostly in terms of personality and preference. If someone liked sports or books, if a family divided chores one way or another, if I chose the military over university, I read those as individual choices inside a neutral world. What I learned instead, is that everyday life is organized by norms, roles, and expectations that existed before me, and will continue after me. They do not simply describe what people do. They nudge, reward, and punish in ways that make some paths feel natural and others feel risky. Once I began to see the patterns, I could start to change how I serve, how I share a household, and how I parent. In this essay, I first describe how I believe culture operates as both a coercive system and a contested space, and how that insight changed my daily routines. Second, I explain how a clearer grasp of status and roles gave me tools to navigate the friction of being both a serving member and a student. Third, I reflect on how loosening the gender binary from my thinking strengthened long-held values and translated into practical choices at work and at home.

talks

Understanding Mysticism: A Practical Framework for When Your Reality Shatters

Published: June 26, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVVho3msl8w

teaching

Sociology of Religion (SOCI 231)

Undergraduate course, Athabasca University, 2024

Sociology 231 introduces students to the study of religion from a sociological perspective, covering topics like superstition, institutional corruption, emergent religious movements, and critical thinking