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Hi, I'm Jason Canon.

This site collects notes on democracy, liberation, and the contemplative life.

You can learn about my work here.

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Latest Essays

Sep 12
Seen: “Wait Here”

Seen: “Wait Here”

san francisco, 2025
1 min read
Jul 10

The Amish Farmer and the Fourth of July

One cheer for the geriatric republic.
2 min read
Apr 03

Nine Observations on Two Weeks Without Food*

Finally saw an ab. Wasn't worth it.
1 min read
Mar 20

After Conceit, Conversation

In which I find a less combative approach to scholarship.
3 min read
Mar 14

"What have you got to show for it?"

A lesson in gratitude upon changing the clocks.
1 min read
Mar 06

Twitter, Warfare, and the Imagined Rival

What I've learned from treating interlocutors as, well, human.
2 min read
Feb 20

Winning Won't Make Us Happy

We were raised to be ambitious, and we're letting it destroy us.
4 min read
Feb 14
On Simple Pleasures

On Simple Pleasures

Or why I find it so hard to remember childhood vacations.
5 min read
Jan 30

The Consolations of Aristotle’s Ethics

What the Stagirite gets right on how to live.
3 min read
Jan 07

The Unburdening Year

Genius, depression, and creative restoration
8 min read
Dec 25
The Democracy Wager

The Democracy Wager

How to choose a regime, or proxies for liberty behind the veil.
2 min read
Apr 30

Why Liberals Need Rousseau

Rousseau still has much to teach us about the need to pursue a common good.
10 min read