Pen and Paper

Why the Stare? A Critical Look at Desperation, Power, and the Male Gaze Why do some men stare? Not glance. Not notice. But stare   long enough to consume, long enough to reduce a human being into an object meant to absorb their desperation. Why should anyone become a screen for someone else’s hunger? Desperation Is Not Innocence Desperation is often framed as harmless — poor men, lonely men, touch-starved men. But desperation does not absolve responsibility. It does not suspend ethics. It does not grant permission. So the real question is not why they feel desperate , but: Why do they believe their desperation entitles them to someone else’s body, even visually? The Stare as an Assertion of Power A stare is never neutral. It is an act of dominance disguised as desire. It claims space. It intrudes. It forces presence without consent. When a man stares, he is saying: I can look, and you must endure. This is why women know the difference between admiration and threat. T...

Reality, Reason, and the Realm of Forms: Reading Plato Through Textual Evidence Basic Information Plato (c. 427–347 BCE) Athens, Greece Student of Socrates , teacher of Aristotle Founder of The Academy Major work: The Republic Key Concepts  1. Eudaimonia (Human Flourishing / Happiness) In Plato’s philosophy: Eudaimonia does NOT mean pleasure or wealth. It means living a virtuous and rational life . True happiness comes from: Justice Wisdom Moral harmony of the soul  A person is happy only when reason rules over desire . 1.“Think More” → Role of Reason This refers to Plato’s belief that: Reason (logos) is superior to emotions and senses. Knowledge comes from thinking , not seeing. Philosophers must question appearances and seek truth. Linked to: Theory of Forms Philosopher-King ideal 3. “Love Wants Change” → Plato’s Concept of Love (Eros) From Symposium : Plato sees love as: A desire to move from ignorance to knowledge A force that pushes th...

  Philosophical Thoughts of Socrates Socrates (469–399 BCE), one of the founding figures of Western philosophy, did not write any books. His ideas are known mainly through the writings of his students, especially Plato and Xenophon. Socrates believed that philosophy should not remain abstract but must guide how human beings live their everyday lives. 1. “ Know Thyself” (Self-Knowledge) One of Socrates’ central teachings was the importance of self-knowledge. He believed that most people live under false assumptions about themselves and the world. “The unexamined life is not worth living.” For Socrates, understanding one’s own ignorance was the first step toward wisdom. True knowledge begins when a person realizes how little they actually know. In literature: Characters who undergo self-realization often follow a Socratic journey (e.g., tragic heroes like Oedipus). 2. Socratic Method (Questioning and Dialogue) Socrates developed a unique method of teaching known as the Socratic Metho...

Philosophy and Literature: A Timeless Dialogue of Thought and Imagination Introduction Philosophy and literature are two of the oldest and most profound forms of human expression. At first glance, philosophy appears to be concerned with abstract reasoning, logic, and the search for truth, while literature seems rooted in storytelling, imagination, and emotional experience. Yet, a closer look reveals that these two disciplines are deeply interconnected. Literature often gives life to philosophical ideas, while philosophy provides literature with depth, purpose, and intellectual direction. Together, they form a powerful dialogue that explores the fundamental questions of human existence. This blog explores how philosophy is linked with literature and why this relationship is essential for understanding both human thought and creative expression. The Link Between Philosophy and Literature 1. Literature as a Medium for Philosophical Ideas Philosophy asks questions such as: Who are we?...

  🌸 Poetry and Its Types & Forms: The Music of Language Poetry is one of the oldest and most beautiful forms of expression. From ancient chants and hymns to modern free verse and spoken word, poetry has always captured the rhythm of human emotions — love, loss, joy, struggle, and everything in between. It’s often said that poetry is the language of the soul , where every word carries music, emotion, and meaning. In this blog, we’ll explore what poetry really is, its main types and forms , and share examples to help you recognize and appreciate its depth and diversity. 🌿 What is Poetry? At its core, poetry is a form of literature that uses the aesthetic and rhythmic qualities of language such as sound, symbolism, and meter  to evoke emotions and ideas. Unlike prose, poetry often focuses more on feeling than on literal meaning. Poets play with words, rhythm, rhyme, and imagery to create powerful effects. Through poetry, they can make readers feel rather than just ...

  Zohran Mamdani’s Speech: “Turn Up the Volume, Trump” When Silence Finally Broke There are speeches you listen to. And then there are speeches you feel . Last night, when Zohran Mamdani , the first Muslim Mayor of New York City, stepped up to the podium at City Hall, you could feel history shifting beneath your feet. The air was alive  electric, trembling, almost holy. And then he said it. “We are not lowering our voices anymore. We are turning up the volume  for justice, for equality, for every unheard community in this city. Turn up the volume, Trump!” The crowd went wild. But beyond the cheers, there was something deeper a release. Years of being told to stay quiet, to fit in, to be grateful, to not make noise  all of that shattered in that single moment. This was not just a political speech. It was a heartbeat. When a Voice Becomes a Movement Zohran Mamdani’s words didn’t sound like the polished lines of a politician; they sounded like truth. Raw. Real. ...