Main thing I want to do currently is go hiking/camping around the U.S. and Canada, possibly some of Europe as well. I also want to perform as a concert pianist, either solo or with an orchestra. At some point, I'd like to live in a cabin for an extended period of time somewhere, too.

I did my first job recently, helped my brother shovel dirt for a construction thing. Got $25 for it. Pay is $12/hr. There'll be other tasks eventually. It's only part time, but at least it's something.

You're making the assumption that everyone who argues against the rape culture is doing so responsibly.

I'm starting jazz lessons this week with my previous piano teacher. I'm mostly familiar with classical, but I want to expand my range.

Trying to acquire a lot of skills.

Because I have an addiction to internet discussion.

Reading all of Vonnegut's books and Orwell's nonfiction. Probably will read Thucydides too.

Not an exile necessarily, but the discussion here does seem better for now. Don't know how long it will hold up.

I can see how it might be, but we really don't know how many people in history were actually unbelievers.

Not sure how atheism would be irrational when there are so many false gods, seems like reasonable doubt to me.

I don't know about "spiritual", but sometimes I reflect on my own existence, the fact that I did not exist billions of years before I was born, and it took an unbroken sequence of events in order to bring me into existence, and I feel connected to the Universe as a result of that. Just the fact that I have a brain consisting of billions of neurons, that is constantly processing information about the Universe, that can create ideas, is amazing to me. Oh, and simply the size of the Universe, the billions of galaxies that exist and the number of civilizations that probably exist- that can keep me occupied for quite a while.

For politics, I believe compassion is the only way we're going to have a society that is not constantly in fear of its own government. If you treat your people well, you get much better results- including a good approval rating. I tend to lean on the libertarian side in social matters, but I am not an anarcho-capitalist.

I don't identify with any religious group, and I'm an atheist. I've never really felt the need for religion, but I was brought up in a culturally Jewish household. We'd only celebrate at most two of the holidays. We never went to Synagogue. I think religion is mostly harmful to society (especially when there is interference in politics) and not everyone needs it. If you feel you need it, then that's your decision to make.