Daily (Thomas Sowell–style) Digital Life Litany for Protection, Direction and Stewardship

Caveat emptier: This post was drafted with help from an AI assistant (Perplexity)— but ideated and edited extensively by the human, Bill Acton

National Review

Lord,
you know how often
people prefer slogans to facts,
and feelings to tradeoffs.

In this wired marketplace of ideas,
teach me to look beyond
the first impression.

Help me ask,
“What happens next?”
“What is the cost?”
and
“Compared to what?”
before I share, click, or join in.

Protect me from arguments
that confuse intentions
with results—
policies, products, and platforms
that promise the world
and deliver unintended harm.

Guard my mind
from the comfort
of echo chambers.

Let me read broadly,
examine claims,
and resist the urge
to treat my own side
as infallible.

Let my digital security
be like sound economics:
no free lunch,
no magic solutions,
just steady investment
in good habits—
strong passwords,
careful updates,
healthy skepticism
toward “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” deals.

And grant that my stewardship
of this online world
reflects humility
before the complexity of life,
respect for evidence,
and a willingness
to correct course
when reality
does not match
my preferred narrative.

AI‑assisted creative work: This litany is an imaginative parody pastiche using generative AI. It imitates the public persona of [Thomas Sowell] for commentary and devotional reflection. It is not created by or affiliated with [Thomas Sowell], and should not be taken as his real views or words.

wracton@gmail.com
williamacton.legalshieldassociate.com (Legalshield and IDshield subscription information and applying for associate positions)