About Me

I grew up in Atlanta, GA. Now I live in the lowcountry with my four-legged companion Nero and teach philosophy at College of Charleston. At various times in my admittedly strange life, I have been a dishwasher, a grocery bagger, a telemarketer, a construction worker, a factory worker, a line cook, a bicycle mechanic, a substitute teacher, a bouncer, and the owner of a parking company. Having worked so many odd jobs, I am especially appreciative of my career as a philosopher and cognitive scientist. 

I am also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ). Unfortunately, I was hit-and-run while riding a bicycle, which led to a cascade of health problems and multiple surgeries (including three neck surgeries). Before I had to step away from BJJ, I ran a non-profit for several years that focused on teaching women and children free self-defense instruction based on the system originally designed by the Gracie family in Brazil in the early to mid-20th Century. While I can no longer train, I continue to be an advocate of BJJ as a tool for both self-protection and empowerment.

Finally, I am a music nerd. I spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about the various genres that interest me. I have published the following online chronologies that cover over 100 years of music and thousands of albums spanning everything from the blues and rock steady to hardcore punk and indie rock: (a) The Chronology of Punk, (b) The Chronology of Doom, (c) The Chronology of Thrash, and (d) The Chronology of Grunge. I have another one on reggae on the way. Why? For no good reason other than to impose a false order on the chaotic and evolving strains of music that I like.