By Matthew Hayward The pervasive influence of propaganda and manipulation is undeniable for all who have the eyes to see. Those who do not actively engage in political discourse but still vote are often the most susceptible to these influences. These individuals, whom I refer to as Non-Player Characters* (NPCs), are often highly educated yet fail to recognize the propaganda and slick salesmanship embedded in news stories. This dynamic raises important questions about the true nature of our Republic and the illusion of moderation. The NPC Phenomenon NPCs represent a segment of the population that passively consumes information without critical engagement. They are often well-educated, possessing degrees and accolades. Yet, these educated masses of NPCs are susceptible to propaganda because our education system does not equip us with the critical thinking skills to discern truth from manipulation. Instead, they become adept at absorbing and regurgitating information presented by authorit...

 By Matthew Hayward Every action, achievement, hardship, contribution, and atrocity in history holds value and contributes to our collective human experience. In our increasingly fragmented society, the emphasis on celebrating various groups based on race, gender, or sexual orientation has resulted in designated months or days for almost every demographic. While the intention may be to celebrate diversity and educate on historical narratives, this segmentation of history often breeds division rather than unity. Events like Black History Month, Women's History Month, and recent mandates to teach LGBTQ history in states like Washington have sparked discussions about the efficacy of such focused commemorations. Why do we segregate history based on individual characteristics instead of embracing the greatest minority—the individual's character and their contributions to human progress? Fragmenting society into finer categories weakens the fabric of our collective identity, making...

By Matthew Hayward COVID-19 initiated a wave of change, reshaping our societal norms with a magnitude comparable to an earthquake. First came the lockdowns. Unforeseen overreaches materialized swiftly, from closing vast forests and public beaches to dramatic scenes such as coastguards chasing a lone paddle border – an absurd spectacle of the new normal. With the onset of social distancing, establishments began operating under a limited capacity, albeit inconsistently enforced. Large stores were allowed to partially open, while small businesses, the backbone of many local economies, faced complete closure. The logic behind shutting hair salons while keeping marijuana shops open eluded many. An example that illustrates this paradox is the case of Slide Water Park in Washington State. This 40-acre outdoor park was forced to shutter, while literally across the street, the state park on Lake Chelan was teeming with visitors, defying any semblance of social distancing. The state government...

....In the past few weeks, I have been gathering signatures for I-1068, an innovative to remove criminal penalties for marijuana. I have yet to hear one coherent and rational opposing argument for ending the war on drugs. The essence of virtually every argument supporting state-sponsored controls and regulations is based on unreasonable assumptions rather than being based on or supported by statistical data. I would challenge anyone to give me one reason that logically trumps individuals' rights and justifies social control over others. I would also like a source as to where this authority is derived, as it is clearly a Constitutional infringement to have the federal government encroaching on State's rights. I have patiently listened to emotional ploys and irrational and poorly thought-out arguments to oppose the ballot measure. Arguments range from people telling me about their child's abuse of the drug to empty allegations of its conflict with their faith. I have listen...

When will they awake? by Matthew Edward Hayward Posted by Matthew E Hayward on 06/19/09 Last updated 04/06/10 Is it all a bad dream? For some, ignorance is bliss, but for those who have a greater understanding, the direction in which we are headed is troublesome. From left to right, pundits feed us catchphrases and slogans, eliciting emotions and furthering our thought pattern associations. From subliminal messaging to outright propaganda, Americans have either become overestimated and apathetic as Naomi Klein's shock doctrine or partisan controlled automatons working to propagate the divide for corporate interests.  What I found shocking to learn is that often, the more educated one is, the more susceptible to propaganda they become. Contempt becomes a powerful defense to those who have invested vast amounts of emotion into their foundational beliefs. Pride as well as other mental defenses help us to maintain our comfort bubbles.  (see group think) What is tr...

By Matthew Edward Hayward on Saturday, November 21, 2009 This idea that America is free or that the people of this nation have political choices deeply troubles me. I, like Glenn Beck, am a recovering alcoholic. Like Glenn, I, too, have had a massive change in my thinking regarding more than just alcohol.  Everyone who suffers from this disease knows and understands that it is possible to be physically free and mentally enslaved. Knowing there is a problem, wanting change, and doing the same thing is insane; welcome to America. To say that Americans are free is to imply they have the capability or capacity to think for themselves. To me, this is as ridiculous as to say that a drug addict or alcoholic has a choice whether to use drugs or drink. Until the mental terrarium is shattered, it is virtually impossible for new concepts to be introduced or applied. Just because you tell an addict the facts about his predicament and the consequences of his actions, which I might add ...