¡Gracias!

I wasn't going to do the obligatory Thanksgiving post, in which I give thanks to/for/of/about everything. And then I realized that it's not "obligatory" if I want to do it, and I do, so it's OK. So I will.

And there's no contradiction here: the godless, as well as the godful, can give thanks. I don't thank any entity in particular; I am, in general, thankful. However it happened that I got where I am, I'm happy that I'm here.

I have a good life. I'm healthy; I'm happy; I have friends and family I love, and who love me. I enjoy life from day to day. I get joy from my social and recreational activities, and I work for a company I'm happy and proud to work for, doing a job I like. I don't have everything I could want, but I have everything I do want.

I'm thankful for all of that, and I do what little I can to bring some of it to others... and I always think that's not enough. I'm thankful that lots of other people also do what they can. It's still not enough, but it's gratifying to see how many generous people there are.

I'm thankful to be in a place — both sociologically and technologically — where I can write like this, and post these essays. Where I can speak out about what I think in relative safety, and where there's a public medium and supporting infrastructure to put it out there for all to read. And I thank all of you who are reading for being interested in reading what I have to say.

And you know, considering what pretty much everyone in America with any reasonable level of food security will be doing this afternoon, I'm thankful for where my species sits in the food chain.

Happy Thanksgiving!