User:Neal Duncan MacDonald
The account of this former contributor was not re-activated after the server upgrade of March 2022.
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> Born in 1971 I am a firm and standard-bearing member of Generation X. I grew up
> in the Pacific Northwest, completed a bachelors degree in English and
> Philosophy at Washington State University but then took a Masters in English
> Literature at the University of Rocheter in New York. Finding little or no
> money in the ivory towers of literature, I went to work for State Farm
> Insurance where I spent two years in auto claims handling, two years as a
> business analyst in internet project implementation, and two years as a
> strategic analyst for the life insurance and retirement operations. I have
> diverse hobbies including speculative fiction, geology, astronomy, acting,
> basketball, gambling (primarily poker and blackjack), backgammon, strategic war
> games, and cocktails.
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> My background offers the citizendium expertise in a few key areas: english
> literature--especially 19th century British, Arthurian, and archetypal
> criticism (Northrop Frye and Joseph Campbell); speculative fiction,
> particularly Tolkien, Wolfe, Mieville, VanderMeer, Flynn, Donaldson, and
> others; fantasy football (no one is certain why); modern and historical aspects
> of all types of insurance but most particularly life insurance and the modern
> dilmenas facing Medicare and Medicaid (for which I am primarily responsible in
> my current profession); and, of course, the art and appreciation of fine
> cocktails.
>
> Politically, I regard myself as a classic Liberal or modern, moderate
> Libertarian. I am excited for and in favor of globalization. I am a Capitalist
> and am proud of America but think the dictates of Capitalism dictate that the
> rest of the world can and will catch up when they are freed (we need look no
> further than Europe "invading" the American NBA). I adore Plato but think that
> the exchange and sharp debate over ideas are the most powerful merits of the
> modern age. If the internet--and indeed, Citizendium--can accomplish anything
> of greatness it is about furthering the exchange of ideas to the betterment of
> the entire society. We are on the threshold of the most free, the most
> peaceful, and the most prosperous period in the history of the planet if we can
> but rise above our borders and myopia to grasp it.
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