What Really Scares Me (And What Doesn’t) By Tim Friday People talk a lot about what they fear—things like ghosts, flying, spiders. But my fears are simpler. More grounded. Real. I fear dog attacks. I’ve been attacked before, more than once, without provocation. The worst part isn’t just the trauma of the bite or the shock—it’s the way people defend it. They say things like, “It must’ve sensed something,” or “Dogs only attack if provoked.” As if I deserved it. That gaslighting hurts worse than the teeth. I fear car crashes. I’ve already been in a few. Minor, maybe, by insurance standards, but not by mine. I know what that impact feels like. The snap of the seatbelt. The sound of metal folding in on itself. I’ve had close calls too—so close I thought, This might be it. That terror doesn’t fade. It lingers under my skin when I drive. I fear being assaulted. That should be a no-brainer. And yes, even men like me get assaulted. I’ve been hit, shoved, screamed at, threatened—u...
Rethinking College: What If We Designed Education to Actually Work for Students? The current college system in the U.S. feels outdated, expensive, and disconnected from real life. For many students, it's not just about failing a class—it's about a financial system that punishes you for not fitting into its strict mold. But what if we flipped the whole thing on its head? What if college actually helped you get where you want to go, faster, cheaper, and more confidently? Here are a few big ideas that could radically change the way we do education in this country: 🔧 1. Cut the Clutter: Apprenticeships Over Endless Coursework Instead of making students spend 4–8 years in traditional classrooms, let’s invest in real-world apprenticeships and mentorships that get students into their dream industries faster. Whether it's healthcare, media, trades, or tech—students should be working alongside professionals while learning. Licensing and degrees should be streamlined base...