About Me
My Blog
I’m Joanna Button. I write about various political, economical, and historical topics, and have two main goals with this blog.
On one hand, I want to break down complex topics so anyone reading a post can understand it, even without background knowledge. Before starting this blog, I often found myself trying to read news articles about geopolitics and becoming overwhelmed at the references to other issues I knew little about – often, things that began decades ago, long before I was born. Writing about these issues clearly and concisely while also trying to analyze them in a balanced way, is my main priority.
My second goal is to provide a platform for difficult discussions in an increasingly polarized world. I grew up in two different worlds: rural Arizona and Switzerland. Everything from the landscape to people’s mindsets vary wildly, and I grew up having heated discussions about religion, politics, and everything in between with friends, family members, and strangers on the internet. I would frequently end up taking the opposite position, depending on who I was discussing with, because I usually fell somewhere in the middle and had an urge to present the other side. Over time, it became my goal in life to approach discussions with the goal of finding common ground. There is no better feeling than ending a conversation on a good note, especially when it began with a strong or emotional disagreement. It is difficult, but I have seen people find common ground through conversation despite fundamental disagreements.
A little about me
I grew up in northern Arizona, and my family moved to Switzerland when I was 9 years old. I grew up with a strong love for reading and debating, both of which probably nudged me towards the fields of journalism and public policy. My interests range far and wide, though I have always been particularly drawn to US politics and geopolitics.
I have a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics with a minor in Energy Economics from the University of Basel. Right now, I’m pursuing a master’s degree in Economics and Public Policy in Basel as well. I work part-time as a research assistant (currently analyzing US polarization and congressional scandals), and as a shift manager in a bakery/café (I would go crazy if all of my time was spent researching or studying).
Describing my political leanings in brief would be pretty tough. My opinions are all over the place – just like most people’s honest opinions are. Humans don’t fit into boxes, and certainly not the two or three boxes the US political system provides. My main beliefs are that people should be as free as possible, but that society as a whole should strive to provide incentives to maintain a healthy, happy, stable society. Families should be supported, and people should be able to live in communities that prioritize what humans are designed to need – a healthy environment, proximity to nature, responsibilities, strong social ties, and a purpose.
How I write
I do my best to research and write about each topic in an honest and nuanced way. I never use AI to write any text, though I do sometimes ask AI to provide additional arguments and sources I may be missing to avoid potential blind-spots. I will never use just one source to back up a claim, purposely seek out various stances (right vs. left, Western vs. non-Western news sources, etc.), and try to cite every source. Lastly, when I voice my own opinions, I try to make the difference between fact and opinion very clear. I am always open to criticism – please, let me know whenever I say something wrong or miss some context! I want to live in a world where honest reporting and nuanced conversations are not only possible, but commonplace, and I hope I can contribute to that with my writing.