Welcome back to another Question of the Week here at The Confusing Middle! For those just joining us, these weekly philosophical adventures come courtesy of Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions, a book that has provided me with 467 weeks' worth of existential crises and deep thoughts—and we're still going strong. This week's question is … Continue reading Question of the Week #467
Gregory Stock
Question of the Week #466
Content Warning: This post discusses sexual topics in a mature, thoughtful manner. While kept at a PG-13 level, reader discretion is advised. As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: Do you have a favorite sexual fantasy? If so, what would you give to have it granted? It involves a … Continue reading Question of the Week #466
Question of the Week #465
As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: If a close friend asked, and genuinely wanted, your opinion, but you knew he'd find it painful--for example, he's an artist and asks your honest appraisal of his artistic talent, and you think he's lousy--would you tell him the truth? Here's the … Continue reading Question of the Week #465
Question of the Week #464
As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: If someone you loved was brutally murdered and their killer was acquitted on a technicality, would you seek revenge? I'll be honest—when I first read this question, my immediate gut reaction was something along the lines of "Heck yes, I'd make sure … Continue reading Question of the Week #464
Question of the Week #463
As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: Would you use a safe medical procedure to genetically alter the developing embryo if it would keep your child from being born physically or mentally disabled? If you've been following along with the past two weeks of genetic engineering discussions, you might … Continue reading Question of the Week #463
Question of the Week #462
As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: What problems might arise from having a child much brighter and more attractive than yourself? If you caught last week's question about genetic engineering and designer babies (click here if you missed it), you might remember my rather old-fashioned stance: I'd rather … Continue reading Question of the Week #462
Question of the Week #461
As usual, this week's question comes from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions: Would you want to choose the sex of your child? What if you could safely pick other qualities: IQ, height, temperament, looks? Fair warning: If discussions of genetic engineering and the future of human reproduction make you uncomfortable, this might be a … Continue reading Question of the Week #461
Question of the Week #460
Do you ever spit, clean your teeth, or pick your nose in public? Fair warning: If discussions of normal bodily functions make you squeamish, this might be a good time to check your social media feeds instead. For everyone else, welcome to an honest examination of the things we do when we think no one … Continue reading Question of the Week #460
Question of the Week #459
In what ways, if any, would knowing the date of your death help you plan your life? How many more years do you honestly believe you have left? Last week's question about whether we'd open an envelope containing our death date sparked something I wasn't expecting. The responses poured in—thoughtful, conflicted, passionate arguments on both … Continue reading Question of the Week #459
Question of the Week #457
When was the last time you felt real excitement and passion in your work? What about your life in general? How important is passion to you? This week's question from Gregory Stock's The Book of Questions arrives loaded with cultural baggage about what passion is supposed to look like, when it's supposed to strike, and … Continue reading Question of the Week #457
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