Anthony Curtis
@anthonycurtis.bsky.social
Former gifted kid, current middle-aged basic. Screaming into the void from suburbia. Wrote a memoir because trauma doesn't process itself. Digital PM, runner, cat dad. Still missing my twin. He/him. Find me on Substack https://anthonyscurtis.com/
How often do we find ourselves satisfied with our lives because we know someone has it worse?
What would happen if instead we reacted with motivation to make sure no one had it worse?
What would happen if instead we reacted with motivation to make sure no one had it worse?
November 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
How often do we find ourselves satisfied with our lives because we know someone has it worse?
What would happen if instead we reacted with motivation to make sure no one had it worse?
What would happen if instead we reacted with motivation to make sure no one had it worse?
I once chased down a shoplifter in my pawnshop. He pulled a knife. Then claimed to have a gun.
That moment taught me more about crime, desperation, and society's ledger of harms than any statistic ever could.
On Substack, the story I'm not proud of, but can't stop thinking about #moralphilosophy
That moment taught me more about crime, desperation, and society's ledger of harms than any statistic ever could.
On Substack, the story I'm not proud of, but can't stop thinking about #moralphilosophy
What Do I Know About Crime? My Moment on The Knife’s Edge
Part 2 of a series on Architectural Humanism, Ledger Ethics, and Criminal Justice.
anthonyscurtis.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I once chased down a shoplifter in my pawnshop. He pulled a knife. Then claimed to have a gun.
That moment taught me more about crime, desperation, and society's ledger of harms than any statistic ever could.
On Substack, the story I'm not proud of, but can't stop thinking about #moralphilosophy
That moment taught me more about crime, desperation, and society's ledger of harms than any statistic ever could.
On Substack, the story I'm not proud of, but can't stop thinking about #moralphilosophy
I 100% agree with the idea that veganism is the moral high ground when compared to its alternatives.
But yet… I am not a vegan. Today’s post wrestles with the morality of that choice within a morally compromised system.
#Vegan #Climate #Labor #Ethics #RadicalKindness
But yet… I am not a vegan. Today’s post wrestles with the morality of that choice within a morally compromised system.
#Vegan #Climate #Labor #Ethics #RadicalKindness
I’m Not a Vegan but I Should Be
But I’m doing the best I can in a system not designed for optimal moral choices
anthonyscurtis.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I 100% agree with the idea that veganism is the moral high ground when compared to its alternatives.
But yet… I am not a vegan. Today’s post wrestles with the morality of that choice within a morally compromised system.
#Vegan #Climate #Labor #Ethics #RadicalKindness
But yet… I am not a vegan. Today’s post wrestles with the morality of that choice within a morally compromised system.
#Vegan #Climate #Labor #Ethics #RadicalKindness
We have handled "justice" for centuries as officially sanctioned revenge and retribution.
How do we prevent crime?
How do we restore the victims?
How do we treat those who’ve done harm?
What is restoration, and how is it different from retribution?
#justice #moralphilosophy
How do we prevent crime?
How do we restore the victims?
How do we treat those who’ve done harm?
What is restoration, and how is it different from retribution?
#justice #moralphilosophy
Revenge Isn’t Justice, Even When We Cover It with the Sheen of Law
True Justice is Restoration, Not Retribution
anthonyscurtis.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:13 PM
We have handled "justice" for centuries as officially sanctioned revenge and retribution.
How do we prevent crime?
How do we restore the victims?
How do we treat those who’ve done harm?
What is restoration, and how is it different from retribution?
#justice #moralphilosophy
How do we prevent crime?
How do we restore the victims?
How do we treat those who’ve done harm?
What is restoration, and how is it different from retribution?
#justice #moralphilosophy
I don’t post a lot of memes here, but I came across this and damn if it doesn’t sum up the Sisyphean task I’ve assigned myself.
Who knew that asking people to show basic human kindness would be so hard?
Who knew that asking people to show basic human kindness would be so hard?
October 21, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I don’t post a lot of memes here, but I came across this and damn if it doesn’t sum up the Sisyphean task I’ve assigned myself.
Who knew that asking people to show basic human kindness would be so hard?
Who knew that asking people to show basic human kindness would be so hard?
Net worth ≠ Self worth
This is true for you. This is true for me.
But how often does the bottom line get factored into our judgement of others?
What happens if we take money off the scales?
A better world? Probably.
Start changing how we see ourselves, and each other.
#peopleoverprofit
This is true for you. This is true for me.
But how often does the bottom line get factored into our judgement of others?
What happens if we take money off the scales?
A better world? Probably.
Start changing how we see ourselves, and each other.
#peopleoverprofit
October 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Net worth ≠ Self worth
This is true for you. This is true for me.
But how often does the bottom line get factored into our judgement of others?
What happens if we take money off the scales?
A better world? Probably.
Start changing how we see ourselves, and each other.
#peopleoverprofit
This is true for you. This is true for me.
But how often does the bottom line get factored into our judgement of others?
What happens if we take money off the scales?
A better world? Probably.
Start changing how we see ourselves, and each other.
#peopleoverprofit
🧵 25 years ago my twin sister survived an abusive childhood, graduated high school, found love, started a career.
Then an aneurysm killed her at 19 while she drove home from work.
People said "everything happens for a reason."
I looked for the reason. I found none.
Then an aneurysm killed her at 19 while she drove home from work.
People said "everything happens for a reason."
I looked for the reason. I found none.
October 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
🧵 25 years ago my twin sister survived an abusive childhood, graduated high school, found love, started a career.
Then an aneurysm killed her at 19 while she drove home from work.
People said "everything happens for a reason."
I looked for the reason. I found none.
Then an aneurysm killed her at 19 while she drove home from work.
People said "everything happens for a reason."
I looked for the reason. I found none.
Chronic pain made the real world feel unplayable. So I hid in a Dwarf Fortress.
But then I had to ask myself, in hiding from the world was I committing an evil of indifference?
Refuge, not residence. #DwarfFortress #ChronicPain #Philosophy #Gaming
But then I had to ask myself, in hiding from the world was I committing an evil of indifference?
Refuge, not residence. #DwarfFortress #ChronicPain #Philosophy #Gaming
Taking Refuge in a Dwarf Fortress
Dealing with chronic pain, a world on fire, and werebeasts
anthonyscurtis.com
October 3, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Chronic pain made the real world feel unplayable. So I hid in a Dwarf Fortress.
But then I had to ask myself, in hiding from the world was I committing an evil of indifference?
Refuge, not residence. #DwarfFortress #ChronicPain #Philosophy #Gaming
But then I had to ask myself, in hiding from the world was I committing an evil of indifference?
Refuge, not residence. #DwarfFortress #ChronicPain #Philosophy #Gaming
When we are compromised, what we can do beats what we think we “should” do. An essay about chronic pain, self-kindness, and goblins. #chronicpain #selfkindness
Taking Refuge in a Dwarf Fortress
Dealing with chronic pain, a world on fire, and werebeasts
anthonyscurtis.com
October 2, 2025 at 11:52 PM
When we are compromised, what we can do beats what we think we “should” do. An essay about chronic pain, self-kindness, and goblins. #chronicpain #selfkindness
There are no good people. There are no bad people.
There are good choices, good thoughts, and good acts. There are evil choices, evil thoughts, and evil acts.
And there are people. Anyone can be better tomorrow.
No halos, no horns.
#Ethics #Empathy #MoralPhilosophy
There are good choices, good thoughts, and good acts. There are evil choices, evil thoughts, and evil acts.
And there are people. Anyone can be better tomorrow.
No halos, no horns.
#Ethics #Empathy #MoralPhilosophy
Donald Trump is Not a Bad Person
And I am Not a Good Person. The Trap of Moral Labeling.
anthonyscurtis.com
September 28, 2025 at 2:59 PM
There are no good people. There are no bad people.
There are good choices, good thoughts, and good acts. There are evil choices, evil thoughts, and evil acts.
And there are people. Anyone can be better tomorrow.
No halos, no horns.
#Ethics #Empathy #MoralPhilosophy
There are good choices, good thoughts, and good acts. There are evil choices, evil thoughts, and evil acts.
And there are people. Anyone can be better tomorrow.
No halos, no horns.
#Ethics #Empathy #MoralPhilosophy
In a world quick to punish 'wrong' speech, Simone de Beauvoir reminds us: Freedom isn't an individual trophy, it's collective, fragile. "Freedom isn’t mine to keep if it’s denied to you."
#Philosophy #RadicalKindness #Freedom
#Philosophy #RadicalKindness #Freedom
Freedom Isn't Yours to Keep
The discourse this week around a certain “free speech advocate” and simply quoting, ya know, their speech has me ruminating on the nature of freedom.
anthonyscurtis.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
In a world quick to punish 'wrong' speech, Simone de Beauvoir reminds us: Freedom isn't an individual trophy, it's collective, fragile. "Freedom isn’t mine to keep if it’s denied to you."
#Philosophy #RadicalKindness #Freedom
#Philosophy #RadicalKindness #Freedom
1/7 What’s the point of writing about moral philosophy if you can’t wrestle with moral questions in public? #Philosophy #MoralPhilosophy
September 16, 2025 at 10:58 PM
1/7 What’s the point of writing about moral philosophy if you can’t wrestle with moral questions in public? #Philosophy #MoralPhilosophy
1/10 I write about moral philosophy. But despite what that might imply about me, I am not by my nature good person. #MoralPhilosophy #Ethics
September 15, 2025 at 2:06 AM
1/10 I write about moral philosophy. But despite what that might imply about me, I am not by my nature good person. #MoralPhilosophy #Ethics
The American Dream is powered by a myth: Rugged Individualism. But what happens when that ideal sours into something toxic?
My new piece explores how our obsession with self-reliance poisons empathy, and what we can choose to do about it.
#SocialCommentary #Ethics #AmericanDream #Politics
My new piece explores how our obsession with self-reliance poisons empathy, and what we can choose to do about it.
#SocialCommentary #Ethics #AmericanDream #Politics
Toxic Individualism
The Dose Makes the Poison
anthonyscurtis.com
September 13, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The American Dream is powered by a myth: Rugged Individualism. But what happens when that ideal sours into something toxic?
My new piece explores how our obsession with self-reliance poisons empathy, and what we can choose to do about it.
#SocialCommentary #Ethics #AmericanDream #Politics
My new piece explores how our obsession with self-reliance poisons empathy, and what we can choose to do about it.
#SocialCommentary #Ethics #AmericanDream #Politics
The poverty of the Weasley’s in Harry Potter makes no sense. Shouldn’t the Wizarding World be essential post scarcity? Sure, you can buy things with money, but magic should allow you to keep things “like new” forever.
We can have a world with magic but can’t imagine one without poverty?
We can have a world with magic but can’t imagine one without poverty?
September 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The poverty of the Weasley’s in Harry Potter makes no sense. Shouldn’t the Wizarding World be essential post scarcity? Sure, you can buy things with money, but magic should allow you to keep things “like new” forever.
We can have a world with magic but can’t imagine one without poverty?
We can have a world with magic but can’t imagine one without poverty?
24 years ago today tragedy happened and a nation pulled together as one.
Yesterday a tragedy happened and a nation is ready to rend itself apart.
How did we get here?
Yesterday a tragedy happened and a nation is ready to rend itself apart.
How did we get here?
September 11, 2025 at 1:01 PM
24 years ago today tragedy happened and a nation pulled together as one.
Yesterday a tragedy happened and a nation is ready to rend itself apart.
How did we get here?
Yesterday a tragedy happened and a nation is ready to rend itself apart.
How did we get here?
This isn’t my plea for us to all just get along.
We are far too moved down the road of antagonism with the “other side” to just hang it all up and be friends. That’s not the world we live in.
#politicalviolence #charliekirk
We are far too moved down the road of antagonism with the “other side” to just hang it all up and be friends. That’s not the world we live in.
#politicalviolence #charliekirk
Charlie Kirk Was an Asshole. Charlie Kirk Didn’t Deserve This.
The Charlie Kirk Think Piece
anthonyscurtis.com
September 11, 2025 at 3:39 AM
This isn’t my plea for us to all just get along.
We are far too moved down the road of antagonism with the “other side” to just hang it all up and be friends. That’s not the world we live in.
#politicalviolence #charliekirk
We are far too moved down the road of antagonism with the “other side” to just hang it all up and be friends. That’s not the world we live in.
#politicalviolence #charliekirk
1/3 Seeing the Charlie Kirk news… and I am struck by how much it is affecting me. I am saddened, disgusted… and scared.
September 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
1/3 Seeing the Charlie Kirk news… and I am struck by how much it is affecting me. I am saddened, disgusted… and scared.
1/3 Moral credit this week - stuck out attending Jaguars NFL season opener despite weather (hot & rain) and pain increasing throughout. Stayed for my friend, biggest Jags fan I know.
#DUUUVAL
#DUUUVAL
September 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
1/3 Moral credit this week - stuck out attending Jaguars NFL season opener despite weather (hot & rain) and pain increasing throughout. Stayed for my friend, biggest Jags fan I know.
#DUUUVAL
#DUUUVAL
1/3 A central idea… well, THE central idea of my philosophy is The Ledger. Everything we do is recorded, for good or ill, and we need to be aware of what impact we have on the world.
September 9, 2025 at 5:17 PM
1/3 A central idea… well, THE central idea of my philosophy is The Ledger. Everything we do is recorded, for good or ill, and we need to be aware of what impact we have on the world.
September 8, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Thank you for all the feedback on my new essay, 'Cancer's Real Fear Isn't Death.' It's been an honor to share my story with you. #writingcommunity #gratitude #philosophy #life
Cancer's Real Fear Isn't Death
The Reverse Lottery We're All Losing
anthonyscurtis.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Thank you for all the feedback on my new essay, 'Cancer's Real Fear Isn't Death.' It's been an honor to share my story with you. #writingcommunity #gratitude #philosophy #life
My essay 'Intellectual Work and Chronic Pain' is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It's a reminder that we are stronger than we think we are. #resilience #chronicillness #writingcommunity #hope
Sharing my Brain Through Chronic Pain
This Essay Brought to You by 87 Days of Agony
anthonyscurtis.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My essay 'Intellectual Work and Chronic Pain' is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It's a reminder that we are stronger than we think we are. #resilience #chronicillness #writingcommunity #hope
My essay 'Punk Philosophy' is a tribute to the outsiders, the rebels, and the dreamers. It's a reminder that the world is changed by those who are brave enough to be different. #punk #philosophy #individuality #change
PUNK PHILOSOPHY
EMPATHY AS REBELLION
anthonyscurtis.substack.com
September 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
My essay 'Punk Philosophy' is a tribute to the outsiders, the rebels, and the dreamers. It's a reminder that the world is changed by those who are brave enough to be different. #punk #philosophy #individuality #change
My essay 'Burning Down the House' is a challenge to all of us who are complicit in systems of injustice. It's a call to action to build a better world. #socialjustice #activism #ethics #community
Burning Down the House
Owning a home changed my life. Watching it gain value makes me feel sick.
anthonyscurtis.substack.com
September 6, 2025 at 11:00 PM
My essay 'Burning Down the House' is a challenge to all of us who are complicit in systems of injustice. It's a call to action to build a better world. #socialjustice #activism #ethics #community