The Damn Optimist

July 2025

To the dolphin that scared the hell out of me while I was surfing

I know you meant nothing by it

Jul 23 • 

Gil Kazimirov

3

June 2025

I went to the world's biggest Cancer conference

There were a lot of cookies

Jun 9 • 

Gil Kazimirov

2

2

The Uber Driver Ratings Theory of Happiness

It's been solved. We can pack up now.

Jun 3 • 

Gil Kazimirov

5

5

December 2023

Ram Dass Taught Me Some Things About Life After COVID

How the old icon of the counterculture was this millennial’s unexpected COVID savior

Dec 4, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

4

1

November 2023

How Politicians Dress In Times of Crisis

What They're Trying to Say and Why It Matters

Nov 23, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

4

Some Moral Courage, Finally

It's time to take a clearer stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Nov 13, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

6

1

1

How War Looks and Sounds in the Digital Age

And Why It Feels More Personal

Nov 2, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

4

October 2023

It's a Weird Time to be Israeli and Ukrainian

But I don't know how to be anything else

Oct 16, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

7

2

September 2023

The Fascinating World of Bootleg Soviet Music

And how it set the stage for Russia to become a global piracy powerhouse

Sep 23, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

4

May 2023

Russia says its Victory Day

But I just think of my grandpa.

May 9, 2023 • 

Gil Kazimirov

8

3

January 2022

7 Books I Didn't Read in 2021

It was a huge year

Jan 5, 2022 • 

Gil Kazimirov

6