At 12 I was innocent. At 43 I am skeptical.

This picture was taken in 1993 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

I was 12 years old playing in the little league World Series. I am looking up at my Dad.

At 12 years old I believed my parents and coaches knew what was best for me, even when I felt different.

I believed the food pyramid was real and milk gave me strong bones.

I believed in the numeric recycling system and I washed and recycled all my plastic containers because I was saving my planet. Plastic was not garbage.

I trusted my dentist and believed I needed fluoride to strengthen my teeth.

I trusted my doctor and believed any vaccine or medication I was given was safe. No questions asked.

I trusted my government and believed them when they told me aliens were not real, marijuana is bad, and red dye #40 is safe to eat.

I trusted legacy media and believed I was receiving unbiased news. Just the facts.

I trusted my church and believed homosexuality was a sin and something I did not want to be.

I am now the same age as my Dad in this picture.

At 12 I was innocent. At 43 I am skeptical.

I attribute my evolution to long-form conversations that facilitate the free flow of information & ideas.

Challenge authority. 🫶🏽 Follow the money