Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

On my 25th birthday, my boyfriend proposed during our Hawaii vacation, a surprise orchestrated by his family who also handled the wedding planning. Grateful for their generosity, I walked down the aisle with closed eyes. Upon opening them, shock set in as I saw a woman in a white gown behind my boyfriend. Unbeknownst to…

Facing Challenges Molly, a 17-year-old with a disability, faced the prospect of going to prom alone while grieving her mother’s recent passing. To her surprise, her estranged father, Danny, showed up at the funeral. Until then, Molly had only known him through child support payments and her mother Daisy’s negative comments. Adjusting to a New…

CNN anchor Jake Tapper shocked his audience when he said that Vice President Kamala Harris needs to do more interviews and that he believes former President Donald Trump “has the edge” on her. “Are you surprised that she’s not doing like five events a day?” the anchor said to Democratic strategist and CNN political commentator…

It was a sunny morning in New Orleans, and Elis, at 75, decided to do something bold and unexpected. The idea of getting a tattoo had been bubbling in her mind for a while. She wanted to feel young again, to embrace life with a fresh sense of vigor. So, she walked into a tattoo…

Simon Cowell went from an unknown record company worker to one of the most influential people in show business. The British producer and TV star has created a huge empire for himself and has been the star judge on several talent shows. The talent shows brought Simon a different kind of audience, and his unique,…

Someone once told me, “If you want to be a good parent, watch every episode of The Andy Griffith Show.” And honestly, they might be onto something! The show wasn’t just entertaining — it was packed with life lessons, kindness, and wisdom that still resonate today. But as perfect as The Andy Griffith Show seemed,…

A single father found himself facing a painful reckoning when his parents, known for their harsh criticism, belittled his daughter’s piano performance during a family dinner. What started as a proud moment for his daughter quickly turned into a battle to protect her innocence and self-esteem. I watched Lily’s small fingers hover over the keyboard,…

Ali MacGraw became a Hollywood superstar overnight. But just as quickly as she rose to fame, she disappeared from show business altogether. Today, the 84-year-old actress has settled down in a remote and tiny town, and she’s aging gracefully with her grey hair. Getty Images Ali MacGraw Ali MacGraw – born Elizabeth Alice MacGraw –…

Looking back, the 1972 Oscars feels like a time capsule of a changing Hollywood. The 1972 Oscars was more than just an awards ceremony; it was a dazzling celebration of cinema that captured the essence of a time gone by. In recent years, I’ve really felt that the Oscars have become more bland and boring.…

This iconic Hollywood actress, who turns 96 on October 25, 2024, is best known for her role as Marion Cunningham in the beloved sitcom “Happy Days.” Despite facing challenges in her troubled marriage to Freeman “Effie” Meskimen, she embraced life as a single mother, determined that nothing would stand in her way. After nearly two…