Michael David Cobb Bowen (often known as Michael DC Bowen or simply “Cobb”) is a multifaceted American intellectual, writer, and technology professional with a focus on data engineering, stoicism, and cultural commentary. He describes himself as a “stoic writer,” “data engineer,” “practical aesthete,” “storyteller,” “OODA Buddha” (a nod to the military decision-making framework blended with Buddhist principles), and “grey tribe” member—indicating an independent, contrarian thinker outside mainstream ideological camps. He is also a self-identified “true neutral” in alignment terms, emphasizing anti-fragility, entrepreneurship, and hobbies like being a foodie, audiophile, gearhead, hacker, and shooter.

Professional Background Link to heading

Bowen has over 30 years of experience in business intelligence and data architecture. He works as a data engineer, specializing in “well-architected digital technologies” to enhance decision-making, particularly in executive information systems. His career spans contributions to media outlets like NPR, Cafe Utne, Young Republicans, and TV One, where he’s provided analysis on politics, culture, and current events. He positions himself as an “original thinker” and entrepreneur, with a tactical approach to epistemology—prioritizing evidence-based reasoning over dogma.

Writing and Intellectual Contributions Link to heading

Bowen is a prolific essayist and podcaster, often exploring themes of race, manhood, family, stoicism, and human behavior without “ideological baggage.” His work blends humor, discovery, and reason, frequently challenging conventional narratives on topics like slavery, black identity, and social dynamics.

  • Substack Publications: He runs several newsletters with over 3,200 subscribers, including:

    • Stoic Observations: Focuses on practical philosophy, current events, and personal reflections (e.g., recent posts on “Manners vs Money” and “Spontaneous Thanks”).
    • Tessellations: Explores iterative prompting and AI-related ideas, such as drafting prompts for better outputs.
    • Human Race Man: Tackles race and identity, often in a post-racial or individualistic lens.

  • Medium and Blog: On Medium, he writes as a “dad, architect, writer, entrepreneur, stoic, gearhead, hacker.” His long-running blog, Cobb, dates back to the early 2000s (hosted on Typepad) and covers similar themes.

  • Free Black Thought (FBT): As a co-founder, Bowen contributes to this platform promoting independent black voices free from progressive orthodoxy. He’s co-hosted the podcast series What Comes After Black? with author W.F. Twyman Jr., discussing black manhood, family, and racial perceptions. A notable essay critiques Critical Race Theory (CRT) in favor of historical literacy on slavery.

  • Other Media: He maintains a YouTube channel for “old school politics, culture, and currents explained visually,” though it’s less active recently. Profiles on Quora and Facebook show engagement in philosophical and cultural discussions.

Online Presence and Recent Activity Link to heading

Bowen is active on X (formerly Twitter) as @mdcbowen, with 1,785 followers and a blue verification badge. His bio mirrors his multifaceted identity, and his posts mix wry commentary, stoic insights, and replies to viral content—e.g., quipping “T Bills” on spending $8 million wisely, or “38” to a post about personal experiences. (from recent X activity). He promotes his Substack work there, like linking to essays on subversion in media or election integrity concerns. His personal site, mdcbowen.info, serves as a hub for his portfolio.

Overall, Bowen emerges as a thoughtful contrarian voice in tech, philosophy, and black intellectualism, advocating for resilience, clear thinking, and cultural nuance. His work appeals to those seeking alternatives to polarized discourse. If this isn’t the Michael David Cobb Bowen you meant (as the name is somewhat common), feel free to provide more context!