The Cogitating Ceviché (25-32)
Discussion via NotebookLM
The Cogitating Ceviche Week in Review
August 11–16, 2025
This week’s offerings travel from the corridors of public policy to the quiet corners of literature, from AI-powered startups to 19th-century Spanish satire. Calista Freiheit examines how believers can enter the public square without losing their convictions. Conrad Hannon explores AI’s role in reshaping entrepreneurship, revives the rebellious voice of José de Espronceda, and dismantles the myth of the “10x engineer” with a nod to cinematic tragedy. Gio Marron brings us unsettling encounters in fiction — from a man’s undoing by his own double to Ambrose Bierce’s stark portrait of war’s finality. Whether you’re seeking moral guidance, historical insight, or a touch of the macabre, you’ll find it here.
Articles
Faith in the Public Square: How Christians Can Engage Without CompromiseAugust 11, 2025 — Calista FreiheitCalista examines the challenge of maintaining conviction while participating in civic life, offering principles for faithful engagement in a pluralistic society.
Kitchen-Table Companies: How AI Turned Expertise Into EntrepreneurshipAugust 12, 2025 — Conrad HannonConrad looks at how AI is transforming specialized knowledge into viable businesses run from home, democratizing entrepreneurship in unexpected ways.
José de Espronceda (1808–1842): The Rebel Bard of Spanish Romantic Satire — Entry #86: Honoring the Satirists and Thinkers Who Altered Our PerspectivesAugust 13, 2025 — Conrad HannonA vivid profile of Spain’s Romantic rebel-poet whose sharp wit and political defiance left an indelible mark on literature and society.
My Double; And How He Undid Me (By Edward Everett Hale)August 13, 2025 — Gio MarronA classic tale of identity and downfall, retold and recontextualized for the modern reader, probing the uncanny hazards of duplicity.
“Build Me a Laser”: Seth Brundle and the Death of the 10x EngineerAugust 15, 2025 — Conrad HannonDrawing on the cautionary arc of a sci-fi protagonist, Conrad questions the cult of the “10x engineer” and the risks of unchecked technical brilliance.
The Coup De Grace (By Ambrose Bierce)August 16, 2025 — Gio MarronA stark, haunting vignette of the battlefield, where compassion and brutality intertwine in the war’s closing moments.
Quote of the Week
"Convictions aren’t weakened by dialogue — they’re tested, refined, and proven."— Calista Freiheit, Faith in the Public Square: How Christians Can Engage Without Compromise
Questions
Faith in the Public Square: How Christians Can Engage Without Compromise
* How can faith-based values shape public discourse without alienating those of different beliefs?
* What practical steps help believers remain uncompromising yet constructive in civic debates?
* In what ways can engagement strengthen personal conviction?
Kitchen-Table Companies: How AI Turned Expertise Into Entrepreneurship
* What kinds of expertise lend themselves most to AI-driven entrepreneurship?
* Does this shift truly democratize business or create new forms of inequality?
* How should policymakers approach the rise of home-based AI enterprises?
José de Espronceda: The Rebel Bard of Spanish Romantic Satire
* How does Espronceda’s work reflect the political turbulence of his time?
* What role can satire play in resisting authoritarianism today?
* How does Romantic satire differ from its modern forms?
My Double; And How He Undid Me
* How does the “double” function as a symbol of self-destruction?
* What parallels exist between 19th-century identity crises and today’s digital age?
* Is the story’s ending inevitable given its premise?
"Build Me a Laser": Seth Brundle and the Death of the 10x Engineer
* Why does the “10x engineer” myth persist in tech culture?
* How do stories like Brundle’s warn against unchecked innovation?
* Can brilliance be sustained without collaboration and humility?
The Coup De Grace
* How does Bierce’s narrative style intensify the story’s moral ambiguity?
* What does the story suggest about mercy in wartime?
* How does brevity enhance or limit its emotional impact?
Additional Resources
* Public Faith in a Pluralistic Age — Miroslav Volf
* AI and the New Artisan Economy — Harvard Business Review (Karen Mills)
* The Life and Legacy of José de Espronceda — Cervantes Virtual Library
* Doppelgängers in Literature — Oxford Reference
* Ambrose Bierce: A Critical Biography — Carey McWilliams
Calls to Action
* Calista Freiheit — Share your own example of principled public engagement.
* Conrad Hannon — Comment with your vision for AI-powered small businesses.
* Gio Marron — Suggest a classic story for future reexamination.
* All readers — Forward this newsletter to a friend who enjoys thoughtful reads.
Thank you for your time today. Until next time, stay gruntled, curious, and God Bless.
