TL;DR (Short Summary for the Blog Post)

Agency isn’t something we are born with—it’s something that emerges when the right conditions align. We do not make ourselves, but we can influence the forces that shape us. Some people may never develop agency, and that’s not their fault. What matters is not control but understanding: agency is conditional, and once conditions allow for it, it can be constructed over time. Letting go of the illusion of control is the first step toward meaningful self-direction.

TL;DR:

You are not self-made—everything about you was shaped by your environment. Free will is an illusion, and people’s actions are products of their circumstances. Crime isn’t about “bad people” but broken systems. Justice should focus on repair, not punishment. Responsibility isn’t about guilt—it’s a pragmatic tool for societal improvement. Instead of blaming individuals, we should fix the conditions that shape them. We don’t control the wind, but we can adjust the sails.

TL;DR:

Free will is an illusion—there’s no evidence that humans make choices outside cause-and-effect. What we call “agency” isn’t a fixed trait but a skill that develops based on experience, environment, and biology. The individual isn’t separate from the system—they are an expression of it. Self-improvement isn’t about willpower but changing constraints to expand affordances. Responsibility isn’t about blame but increasing agency for all. Forged Will evolves to fully reject free will and redefine agency as a process, not an intrinsic property.

TL;DR

Social media is a technological drug. To avoid overload, I’m:

✅ Consuming less – Limiting exposure & removing low-quality sources.

✅ Setting boundaries – Only checking during specific times (e.g., metro rides).

✅ Prioritizing long-form content – More accurate than punditry.

✅ Avoiding pundits – Studies show most are no better than random guessing.

✅ Recognizing addiction – Some need moderation; others, total abstinence.

I reset with a full detox every January. What works for you?

TL;DR:

God, free will, and universal meaning act as vague “Trojan horses,” sneaking in unchecked assumptions through emotional appeal. These ideas work together to create stories of authority, purpose, and accountability but resist scrutiny and evidence. Forged Will offers an alternative: craft meaning through intentional choices, grounded in reality and shaped by compassion and growth.

TL;DR for the Blog Post

I’ve made mistakes that have hurt others—lies, betrayals, and failures to show up when it mattered. While the weight of those actions will always stay with me, they don’t define who I am. Struggle is the forge where growth happens, and hope is what keeps me moving forward. My journey isn’t about perfection but persistence—choosing every day to grow, repair, and create ripples of something better. I want to leave behind a legacy of hope and show those around me, especially my son, that even in the face of failure, it’s always worth showing up and trying again.

TL;DR for the Blog Post:

Emotions are dynamic and shaped by your environment, body, and thoughts. While we don’t fully understand them, we have enough knowledge to influence them through small, intentional actions like changing surroundings, calming the body with deep breaths, or reframing negative thoughts. Progress, not perfection, is the goal—use curiosity and care to forge emotional resilience and meaning.

TL;DR: It Must Be Me

Take ownership of your growth—no one else will. Create conditions for change, embrace uncertainty, and be patient with progress. Extend responsibility outward by helping others grow, knowing your actions ripple through the world. Change starts with you: It must be me.

TL;DR: Conditional Agency - Responsibility, Growth, and Gratitude in a Deterministic Universe

You are shaped by forces beyond your control—genetics, upbringing, and society—but this doesn’t free you from responsibility. Responsibility is shared: society creates the conditions, and you navigate them to foster growth. Change doesn’t happen through sheer will but by placing yourself in situations that encourage transformation.

Success isn’t entirely your own; it’s the result of effort, luck, and external support. This realization calls for gratitude, humility, and compassion, both for yourself and others. By embracing this perspective, you can focus on creating the right conditions for growth, empowering yourself while contributing to a fairer, more empathetic world.

TL;DR: The Clunky Art of Transcendence

Transcendence isn’t a smooth or elegant process—it’s messy, awkward, and shaped by trial and error. Growth happens not through sheer willpower but by creating conditions where change can emerge. Forged Will embraces this clunkiness as the essence of self-improvement, requiring virtues like commitment, resilience, grace, compassion, and hope. These qualities help us navigate failure, embrace imperfection, and persist through uncertainty.

The journey matters more than the destination. Each misstep refines us, reveals blind spots, and fosters deeper self-awareness. By embracing the clunky, imperfect nature of growth, we find meaning and connection through shared struggle. Transcendence is not a final state but an ongoing act of self-creation—one defined by striving, not perfection.