Blog

  • Conversation with a Tree: Clarifications on my Philosophy

    Conversation with a TreeI ask the tree,“I know that my binaries are spectra,and every name’s a judgment.Any walls I have ever built worked both ways.But how far can I extend?And If I start, can I… Read more

  • The Man with no Pride: On Art and Beauty

    The Man with no PrideFor me there’s always timeswhen words can do no better:The laughter in your eyes,the pattern on your sweater.I don’t pretend to knowthe places we could go for warmer weather.For me there’s… Read more

  • When the Light’s Indigo: On Heaven and Hell

    When the Light’s Indigo (On Heaven and Hell)Relaxing a fistthat you didn’t know was closed.Radishes—how they wave their magenta redsThrough photon fields to find me.How mother’s voice gets softer when she sings.Where will I go… Read more

  • To See and Be Seen: On Love and Connection

    To See and Be Seen It is a burden to be seen. Does she stare at people too long because she is trying to see herself in their eyes? And what does she see there?… Read more

  • In Small Towns: On Faith and Purpose

    We Lose Sight of it in Small TownsWe lose sight of it in small towns.In the forest it is clearWhat tension grips the heartwoodAs bustling the leavesAnd desperately the roots reach out—To live, To take,… Read more

  • A Frog Somewhere: On Perfectionism, pt. 2

    A Frog SomewhereI am One with the great Silence,and I am the calling-forth:The echo of “Who am I?”In the stillness of “I AM.”Again and again, my assertion;My falling over myself, responding.Can it be? How can… Read more

  • It Was Good: On Perfectionism, pt. 1

    It Was GoodIt was good(for even just a moment)to stand before a single tree;To let it be this!To let it be thus!And to let it be Other:To let it be the subjectof an oath, or… Read more

  • Be Imperfect and Die: On Letting Go and Taking Part

    Be Imperfect and DieBe imperfect, and die!Envy not the ancient constellations,With their stick-figure constancyfixed in the heavens.No! Forgive this conception and transcend it.Be a real constellation:Burning, ever-moving and gloriousfor your never-waiting, yourindifference to the supplicationof… Read more

  • On Emphasizing the Out-Breath: Finding Ground

    On Emphasizing the Out-BreathPlay your hunger.Strum it like a silver chord.Let it dance like a cool flameround the earthen walls ofthe fine ceramic vase of your body.Relish the out-breath.Without it there is no in-breath, no… Read more

  • A Prayer for Easter Sunday

    A PrayerI offer to you, Lord, my confusion.I offer to you my extremes.Let me be as a sapling in the wind,bending to the vicissitudes of my mind,bending to the response of Your will.Let me see… Read more

Welcome to my blog!

I’m Mark, a PhD student and researcher at the intersection of AI and cognitive science. This blog more or less consists of free form reflection on whatever I am grappling with personally or thinking about professionally or philosophically. Opinions are my own.