We are often distracted by frenzied social media. Sometimes we are divided, either against each other or against ourselves. The contrast is between being present to what is essential and becoming consumed by what we think we must accomplish.^[1]

New content

Sections in the navigation bar that contain new content are labeled "Other" and "Targeted."

Rating

About the notice "18+ adults only"  This box appears on three pages. It indicates that the page mentions sexuality, but does not indicate graphic content. It's the equivalent of a PG rating on a movie.

The tapestry of humanity

In a world of information, there’s a trove of diverse topics to be discovered. Think of it like exploring uncharted territories. Our quest for understanding isn’t just about facts; it shapes our empathy, critical thinking, and resilience.

At the heart of diving into different subjects is recognizing how complex the human experience truly is. Each person has a unique story, and every topic is a fresh perspective. In a world where divisions run deep, exploring diverse subjects becomes a bridge connecting communities. Whether we’re celebrating unsung heroes or questioning old assumptions, this exploration lets us set aside fears and appreciate our rich human tapestry.

Sometimes, we also find joy in the most elemental things: A budding pecan tree in the morning light of a Spring day. Children laughing as they play. Good friends embracing each other.

And when life gets chaotic (which it often does), a waiting mind becomes even more crucial. We’re dealing with big issues—inequality, environmental challenges, oligarchy, you name it. Stepping out of our comfort zones, insights shake up our rigid thinking. When others see roadblocks, we find solutions.

This journey invites our curiosity and open-mindedness. Instead of comfortable information silos, we engage with different viewpoints. It’s like trying on someone else’s shoes—strange at first, but eye-opening. And in a world divided by opinions, empathy becomes our secret weapon. By immersing ourselves in others’ stories, or better understanding our own stories, we see our shared humanity.

Let’s celebrate the overlooked, question the status quo, and embrace this adventure. Every thread in the tapestry of human knowledge matters. Even seemingly small discoveries add to our collective wisdom.

Not a portfolio: The site was conceived as a way of being both web developer and content creator. Plus, it was fun. I rarely add new pages. Mostly I use this site to tinker. The bulk of my professional attention goes to clients.

20+ years online

While the internet existed in a more rudimentary form throughout the 1980s, it was primarily used by academics and researchers. The development of the World Wide Web by Tim Berners-Lee at CERN in 1989 and the subsequent release of the first web browser in 1991 made it possible for information to be easily organized and accessed via websites.

The keithpurtell.com ("Favored Things") site started as a 1998 user account at an Overland Park, Kansas, ISP called Unicom.net. The Oct. 15, 2000 version is still visible at the Wayback Machine.^[2]

In that 1998/2000 version of Favored Things, I included an article on the Tulsa Race Riot (Tulsa Race Massacre),^[3] which I learned about (by accident) in the late 1980s.

Who: About the author

About author Keith Purtell

How: Creating these web pages

Pages here have been built with VS Code and Notepad++. Both tools are for hand coding. In other words, I did not use automation to spit out web pages. New pages usually start by copying an existing page and replacing the content. I process images with GIMP.

Why write these articles?

I hope that visitors can find something useful or interesting. Feel free to leave comments with the button near the page bottom.

AI use policy

This website makes restricted use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. AI can be a practical aid in specific situations where conventional web search is not well suited.

In the "Targeted" section, AI was used to emulate common-sense analysis. That text is labeled as an AI product.

AI may assist with:

• Aggregating public information that is already widely available, such as listing links or grouping related topics.
• Proofreading human-composed content for issues with spelling, grammar, or tone.
• Emulating common-sense analysis; making no claims to expertise or private data.

Support This Site

I maintain this site independently and keep it free of ads. If you find the content meaningful, please consider a small donation to help with hosting costs and research time.

Transparency note: Donations go directly for site upkeep.

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This land

Long before Europeans arrived, the area now called Tulsa County in Oklahoma was inhabited by Native American tribes. The Wichita and the Caddo have a deep history here, going back more than 2,000 years. There is also evidence of Osage and Apachean-speaking peoples living in the region.^[4] These were real people whose emotions and basic needs were (are) no different than mine, and whose lives were rich and meaningful. I live on Native land.

Not to overlook the history: My European brethren brought with them a mixture of violence and lack of remorse that was unprecedented on this continent.^[5]

Lawsuits

Contacting me is a much more efficient and honest way of addressing issues than bringing a lawsuit against the author(s). Bringing a lawsuit instead of asking for a revision reveals the motives of persons who have chosen to abuse the legal system to intimidate citizen journalists, and who seek to retain the stolen wages of employees.

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