Here’s some tea on our billionaire overlords, served to you by their professional gardener 💐
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‘Sapiens’ is a big picture examination of human history, exploring 70,000 years of evolution and civilisation changing developments. Taking such a macro perspective, this book can be both confronting and illuminating. I’d recommend ‘Sapiens’ for anyone seeking an engaging way to quickly take in the long sweep of history.
This is a book that takes on an incredible challenge - retelling the story of homo-sapiens. Though broadly told in chronological order, the book organises its chapters by theme. It explores how key events shaped the tale of humanity, and how in many cases, the world today continues to be influenced by these forces. Across its many chapters, topics include: the agricultural revolution, the role of money, the evolution of religion, and the convergence of capitalism, science and empire building.
Taking such a long term perspective illustrates how easy it is to look at recent events and mistakenly assume that things will continue to change predictably in a given direction, or that things are moving too slowly. A key takeaway from ’Sapiens’ is that while change can seem slow in the context of an individual lifetime, change in the last few hundred years has been incredibly fast paced.
Sapiens is written in easy to read language and an engaging manner. I expected it to take longer to read, but instead found myself frequently picking it up to read “just one more chapter”.
The only downside to this book is that it was originally published in 2014. That was a less turbulent and more optimistic time than the world of March 2026. It would have been interesting to see how the author would approach the latter chapters of the book today. Along similar lines, I’ve been left wondering how some of the projections the author makes about the future of humanity and artificial life (AI, cybernetics, genetic modification) might be changed by the technological advances of the last decade.
These are small limitations however, in a book that offers a fascinating take on the history of homo-sapiens. Well worth looking out for in your library, local bookstore or e-book provider.
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Weird Dicks: The Source Of All Evil? — The Feral Globalista
Clearly most men with weird dicks are not evil, but how many evil men have weird dicks?
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The Evolution of Sacred Texts Across Civilizations: From Oral Tradition to Canon
Long before ink touched parchment, before presses stamped pages by the thousands, before shelves held leather-bound volumes that felt permanent, sacred texts lived in breath. They moved in the rhythm of voice and memory. When people search the evolution of sacred texts across civilizations, they are often looking for a timeline. What they discover instead is something more human: preservation.…
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How George Aducayen Bridged the Gap Between Cultures
Cultural gaps don’t usually announce themselves. They show up quietly, in misunderstandings, assumptions, awkward silences, and expectations no one thought to explain. Most people spend their lives navigating one cultural lane. George Aducayen spent decades moving between many of them.
What made his journey unusual wasn’t just where he went, but how he learned to listen, adapt, and belong without losing himself.
Growing Up Local, Thinking Global
George Aducayen’s early life was rooted in a very specific place. Claveria was small, familiar, and tightly knit. Values were passed down directly, not debated. People knew their roles. Community mattered.
That grounding mattered later, even when the settings changed completely.
When someone grows up with a strong sense of place, they tend to notice differences more sharply. Language. Customs. Power dynamics. Social rules that others take for granted stand out. Instead of resisting those differences, George learned to observe them.
That habit became one of his greatest tools.
Learning That Culture Is More Than Language
When George moved abroad for studies and later for work, the first adjustment wasn’t academic. It was cultural.
Every country had its own unspoken rules:
- how authority was shown
- how disagreement was expressed
- how relationships were built
- how respect was earned
Bridging cultures wasn’t about speaking fluently or memorizing etiquette. It was about understanding why people behaved the way they did, and adjusting without pretending to be someone else.
George didn’t try to blend in by erasing his identity. He learned how to show up as himself in ways others could understand.
That’s harder than imitation. It requires confidence without arrogance.
Diplomacy Happens Outside the Meeting Room
Official diplomacy happens in embassies and conference rooms. Cultural diplomacy happens everywhere else.
It happens at dinners, community events, school visits, and quiet conversations that never make headlines. George understood that people don’t trust policies — they trust people.
So instead of treating culture as a checklist, he treated it as a relationship.
He paid attention to tone. He noticed what made people comfortable and what made them withdraw. He learned when to speak directly and when to step back. Over time, that awareness became instinct.
Representing a Country Without Stereotyping It
One of the hardest parts of representing any nation abroad is avoiding simplification. Countries get flattened into headlines. Cultures get reduced to clichés.
George carried the responsibility of presenting the Philippines as complex, capable, and evolving, not as a stereotype frozen in time.
At the same time, he had to translate other cultures back home, helping institutions understand why certain approaches worked abroad, and others didn’t.
That two-way translation is exhausting. It requires patience. It requires letting go of the need to always be understood immediately.
George didn’t just move between cultures. He interpreted them.
Staying Grounded While Adapting
There’s a quiet risk in cross-cultural life: losing your anchor.
George avoided that by staying rooted in the values he grew up with: respect, discipline, responsibility, humility. Those didn’t change from country to country. Only the expressions did.
That balance mattered. It allowed him to adapt without drifting, to adjust without compromising core principles. People sensed that stability. It made him credible.
Bridging cultures doesn’t mean becoming flexible in everything. It means knowing what should never bend.
Why His Approach Still Matters
Today, “global” often means fast, surface-level exposure. Travel. Social media. Quick opinions about unfamiliar places. But true cultural understanding still takes time.
George Aducayen’s life offers a quieter model:
- observe before reacting
- listen before correcting
- respect differences without romanticizing them
- carry identity without forcing it
In a world that talks constantly about connection but struggles with understanding, that approach feels more relevant than ever.
Bridging cultures isn’t about standing in the middle. It’s about walking back and forth with intention.
George Aducayen did that for decades. He showed that cultural gaps aren’t closed by being the same, but by learning how to meet without fear.
And that kind of bridge, once built, lasts longer than any posting or title ever could.
Learn more about George in his memoir, Bridging Two Worlds: The Life and Legacy of George Gaspar Aducayen, Jr.
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Conspiracy of Love
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916).
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
In the midst of…
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Conspiracy of Love
MIRACLE MOMENT®
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916).
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
A MESSAGE from Founder/Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN
In the midst of winter, February is perceived as a bleak and boring month. However, February honors more cultural celebrations than any other month. It starts with Groundhog Day, predicting future weather. With Valentine’s Day, February commemorates love and romance. Focusing on our hearts, it is also American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness of heart disease. This year, the world enjoyed the excitement of the Winter Olympics together. Our Presidents Washington and Lincoln are celebrated in February, as is social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who launched Black History Month. Sports fans were glued to the TV on Super Bowl Sunday, and the lion dancers performed for the Lunar New Year Spring Festival in this year of the Horse. Lunar New Year encompasses celebrations in multiple countries, recognizing Korea, Vietnam, Tibet, and China. Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras in French, is Carnival all over the world. Years ago, I spent Mardi Gras in Nice, France, which was a wild, crazy experience. The evening of Carnival on February 17 began the Muslim observance of Ramadan, which is a holy month of fasting. It coincides this year with the Christian Ash Wednesday on February 18, which is the beginning of 40 days of fasting, almsgiving, and prayer, symbolizing Jesus Christ’s reflection in the desert. World Understanding and Peace Day is recognized on February 23rd, and the United Nations observes World Interfaith Harmony during the first week of the month. February is filled with numerous other observations, including fun “National Days”, like Youth Leadership Month or Great American Pie Month.
In other words, February brings global awareness to cultures, customs, and celebrations. This is an opportunity for us to embrace empathy, open our hearts, and love our neighbors.
Let’s engage the whole world in this conspiracy of love.
Celebrate living as one world. We are all on the same team!
With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity | empowering youth | PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity | empowering youth | PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
FINDING THE QUIET IN CHAOS
by Cate Taylor
February always feels like that weird middle ground where winter is dragging on, but things are starting to shift. Most people get caught up in the big, flashy versions of Valentine’s Day, but I think the real “love” we need right now is a bit more grounded. It’s about more than just candy or cards; it’s about actually being there for each other. Between the stress of college apps and everything else going on, just being a decent person to someone who’s struggling makes a massive difference.
To me, peace isn’t some huge, unreachable goal—it’s just the energy we bring to the hallways every day. It’s choosing to be chill when things get tense or reaching out to someone who’s been quiet lately. If we focus on just being a little more patient and kind, we can actually build a community that feels safe for everyone. Let’s make this month about more than just the hype.
Cate Taylor is a high school senior who’s passionate about mental health awareness and keeping things real. When they aren’t finishing up graduation requirements, they’re usually found looking for the best local coffee spot or hanging out with friends.
IMPORTANCE OF LOVE
by Gowri Kamatchi
Love comes in many forms, and each one plays an important role in our lives. Family love gives us support and a sense of belonging. It’s often the first kind of love we experience, teaching us care and trust. Friendship love brings fun, loyalty, and understanding, helping us feel accepted for who we are. Romantic love adds excitement and emotional connection, reminding us how deeply people can care for one another.
There is also self-love, which is just as important. It helps us set boundaries, respect ourselves, and grow with confidence. All these types of love work together to shape who we are and how we treat others, creating healthier relationships and a stronger sense of self.
Love doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. What’s important is the effort, kindness, and care behind it, because even small actions can make someone feel truly valued.
Gowri Kamatchi is a 16-year-old high school junior who is a content creator volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® She has a deep interest in global issues, journalism, climate policies, and paleontology. Her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and rollerblading!
HELP FEED CHILDREN IN MINNESOTA
Our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, lives and volunteers in Minnesota. With the latest upheaval due to ICE raids, many children are not going to school and therefore are not receiving any meals. Karen has been creating gift bags and posted this:
Help Support Students and Families - Scattering Kindness
BOOKS FOR KIDS
Here’s an email we received about our children’s books from a reader.
“I had the opportunity to review Flap Forward! Fly Free!, and I must commend the warmth, authenticity, and purpose woven into this story. Drawing inspiration from real-life animal rescue experiences gives the narrative a genuine emotional core, while the themes of courage, cooperation, and community make it deeply relatable for young readers.
What stands out especially is how this book extends beyond a single story. As part of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, it reinforces consistent, meaningful lessons, kindness, inclusion, individuality, and compassion, brought to life through vibrant watercolor illustrations. The message encouraging children to ask for help and rely on a supportive community is both timely and powerful. Thank you! M.A.”
If you are looking for inspirational books for children that are beautifully illustrated, find information and buy autographed copies with extra goodies with proceeds going to Be the Star You Are!®
OUR RADIO BROADCASTS INSPIRE AND COMMUNICATE
Every week, under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!® charity and produced by StarStyle® Productions, LLC, listeners are encouraged and inspired on our two international radio broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself™ Teen Radio. StarStyle® is a lifestyle program that brings information and innovative ideas to help with daily living. Express Yourself!™ is hosted by teens, for teens, with discussions about everything and anything that interests youth today. Both programs are unedited, uncensored, and unapologetically authentic.
Listen to all Express Yourself!™ Teen shows at https://sites.libsyn.com/560220
Listen to StarStyle®-Be the STAR You Are!® shows: https://sites.libsyn.com/556617
Listen to our new song, “Youth are our Future…They are our today!”
ABOUT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®
Be the Star You Are!® is an all-volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fundraising events. Be the Star You Are!® does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!® is consistently honored as a TOP NON-PROFIT by Guidestar/Candid and Great Non-Profits.
Be the Star You Are!® supports all ethnicities and has no religious or political agendas or affiliations. Be the Star You Are!® is proud to have been serving the community, country, and world since 1999.
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
DONATE: https://givebutter.com/BTSYA
Share your love of cultures, customs, and CELEBRATE LIVING!
StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/conspiracy-of-love
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Epic Fail: The Case of the Rancid Cell Cultures
This unexpected mishap made Brian Bennion reconsider his interest in benchwork.
Image credit:Modified from © istock.com, Magnilion, © lioputra; Designed by Erin Lemieux
In the late 1990s, during my second year as a graduate student at the University of Washington, I was preparing to take over an experimental and computational protein mutation project from a senior student.
We were studying how…
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The Dreamcatcher
Dreamcatcher
Originally, I was going to do a ‘Ye Olde Shoppe’ for this, but then I realized how interesting dreamcatchers are. I used to have a small one as well as a large mandala having over my bed between graduating college and moving to Florida. Don’t remember where I got either and I think both went with my ex-wife. Never got a new one because of how my room is now, but that’s besides the…
