Ben W

Joined March 2017

278 stories

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Ben helps students from around the world to improve their English language skills. Ben enjoys traveling around the world, developing his writing abilities, and reading good books.

Stories (278)

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Be Bold and Take Chances in Life
I want everyone reading this article to succeed in life. I want you to make good choices and not be to rash in your decision making as well. However, to foster new opportunities, you have to take the initiative, be bold, and take chances to really get ahead in this world. Nothing will ever be given to you on a plate whether that’s a new job, a pay raise, acceptance to your preferred college, or achieving a new professional certificate. You have more say over your life than you think with the effort you put into it.
By Ben W2 months ago in Humans
Anatomy of a Scene – ‘The Lady In The Red Dress’ (The Matrix)
In a simulated world, which is built both on illusion and deception, distraction is the perfect weapon for keeping one complacent and from asking questions. Few film moments capture that idea more powerfully than a short but iconic scene from The Matrix (1999): Neo (Keanu Reeves), newly unplugged from the simulated world he once thought of as reality or the ‘real world’, walks through a bustling cityscape inside a training simulation that is programmed to feel like ‘The Matrix’, but whose participants realize it is a simulation and not the ‘real world’.
By Ben W5 months ago in Geeks
Emulating ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’
I am not a big fan of commercials or advertisements generally, however, if they can be humorous or insightful, such as one kind of commercial that has captivated me for years, on what it is like to be ‘the most interesting man in the world’. I have long had a soft spot for the now defunct ‘Dos Equis’ beer commercials focusing on the character of “The Most Interesting Man in The World.” These commercials were not only humorous but also served as a cheesy yet truthful take in my view regarding how to be a more well-rounded, open-minded, confident, curious, and adventurous person. You don’t have to be the most interesting man or woman in the world, but I think these commercials did do a good job of why it’s necessary in life to embrace curiosity, experience, adventures, and being charismatic.
By Ben W5 months ago in Motivation
Unlocking More Freedom By Escaping The Hamster Wheel
Life can feel a lot like a ‘hamster wheel’ the older you get. The responsibilities, bills, obligations, and societal expectations can pile up without you even noticing at first. The hustle and bustle of life can keep us trapped without a way out. I am hopeful that everyone reading this article can find a way to escape at some point in the sense that you keep pursuing a life that is freer, more fulfilling, and less constricted than what is expected of you rather than what you are wishing for.
By Ben W7 months ago in Longevity
Anatomy of a Scene – Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ in Congo and NYC Contrast
If you had to pick opposites in the world, you couldn’t do much worse to contrast the journey through the thick Congolese jungles and down the Congo River with the urban sprawl of New York City. One of Anthony Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ episodes in the Congo has one of the show’s best scenes where it has a vivid description of Bourdain gazing over New York City from his high-rise apartment in the closing moments, set up against the backdrop of his first and only foray to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
By Ben W10 months ago in Wander
Seeing The Multiplicity of Human Realities Through Travel
I have always thought of travel as more than just changing your physical location to another place. To me, it’s also about seeing alternate realities in the sense that you get to witness how people around the world have distinct ways of living, thinking, and experiencing the world that challenge and even change your own perspective.
By Ben W10 months ago in Wander
The Colorful Beauty of Guatemala
Guatemala is a land of vibrant colors, where every shade seems to tell a story. The country’s deep appreciation for color is reflected not just in the clothing and jewelry its people wear but also in the landscapes, architecture, and cultural traditions that define it. From the intricately woven textiles of the Mayan people to the pastel-hued colonial facades of Antigua, Guatemala’s beauty is a feast for the eyes. Whether through its breathtaking nature, rich history, or enduring traditions, color is woven into the very fabric of daily life.
By Ben W11 months ago in Wander
Be Wary of Bread and Circuses
Who doesn’t enjoy sports or entertainment or both? People since the dawn of time have enjoyed being entertained or have been spectators or participants in games, sports, or other spectacles. At best, it is a thrilling adrenaline rush to be part of it to the roar of hundreds or thousands of people. At worse, it is a pleasant distraction from the humdrum of our daily life and our routines. There’s nothing wrong with distractions and wanting to enjoy an event, a spectacle, or indulge a bit but in the times that we’re living in, it’s important to realize that focusing only on ‘bread and circuses’ is something we can no longer afford to do.
By Ben W11 months ago in Humans
Avoiding Analysis Paralysis
With the rapid pace of change and constant streams of information coming at us each day, it leads a lot of us to overthink decisions and choices to the point of inaction. There are too many choices we have to make, sometimes big and sometimes small, but we can easily get overwhelmed by the fear of making the wrong decision or if it’s better to avoid deciding altogether. We also often must think if the choice or decision we make is ‘perfect’ but to put it bluntly, no choice or decision is ever perfect.
By Ben W11 months ago in Humans
Beware of the Grifters and Scammers
As important as it is today to protect your personal peace, it is just as important to protect your own money. With the widening economic inequalities and uncertainties in society mixed in with the invasive nature of social media and AI technology, it is easier now more than ever to fall victim to ‘grifting’ or ‘scamming.’
By Ben W12 months ago in Humans
My Thoughts on Voltaire’s Most Relevant Quote Today
The famous French philosopher and writer, Voltaire, is known for his various works from poetry to stories to essays in the 18th century but Voltaire’s quote, “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities,” carries a profound meaning for the modern world in 2025. It serves as both a warning and a call to be vigilant against the forces of misinformation, manipulation, lies, and prejudice. His quote underscores the perilous connection between irrational beliefs and destructive actions, an infamous dynamic that has been exploited throughout history and remains a pressing concern today around the world.
By Ben W12 months ago in Humans
Anatomy of a Scene – ‘Family, Jimmy, Family’ (The Wire)
Sometimes, it takes a great work of fictional television to cause the viewer to do some soul searching themselves. ‘The Wire’ is not only an excellent crime drama and takes a critical lens to different facets of American society, but there are also multiple scenes that stand out for how they deliver truths to each of their characters for what they themselves are ignorant of or choose to forget. One of those scenes is short but whose succinctness of its message and point-blank delivery is something that you could do a deep analysis of. This scene that I’ve titled, ‘Family, Jimmy, Family’ feels like it’s not just about the character, Jimmy McNulty, one of the leading roles of the show and a deeply flawed one at that but also could reflect on our own lives and who we prioritize in them.
By Ben W12 months ago in Geeks

Ben W

Bio

Stories .css-1svwz57-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-default-mute);}(278)

Filter by community

Be Bold and Take Chances in Life

Anatomy of a Scene – ‘The Lady In The Red Dress’ (The Matrix)

Emulating ‘The Most Interesting Man in The World’

Unlocking More Freedom By Escaping The Hamster Wheel

Anatomy of a Scene – Bourdain’s ‘Parts Unknown’ in Congo and NYC Contrast

Seeing The Multiplicity of Human Realities Through Travel

The Colorful Beauty of Guatemala

Be Wary of Bread and Circuses

Avoiding Analysis Paralysis

Beware of the Grifters and Scammers

My Thoughts on Voltaire’s Most Relevant Quote Today

Anatomy of a Scene – ‘Family, Jimmy, Family’ (The Wire)

Stories (278)