Miguel Ángel G. Calderón (known on the internet as @miguelangelgc) is the CEO of Filosofía en la Red, one of the most important platforms for philosophical outreach in Spanish. Filosofía en la Red is also translated into English. Miguel is currently pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy and values. Additionally, he is an organizational psychologist and a nurse. He has studied religious sciences and law. Through philosophy online, he aims to make philosophy accessible to everyone.
What are you currently working on?
The project that occupies most of my time and a significant part of my life is Filosofía en la Red, a Spanish-language philosophy outreach platform that aims to be a reference point for philosophy on the internet. Without a doubt, it’s something I hold dear and put all my energy into.
If a crystal ball could reveal the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you like to know?
I’m not sure if this may sound narcissistic, but I would like to know if I will be remembered beyond the people close to me. If I will leave a lasting impact, not only in the philosophical realm but also on a personal level. I believe the important part of living is to make an impact on others (preferably in a positive way, of course), and I would love to know if I will achieve that.
What is your all-time favorite movie? (Or top 3). Why? Whom would you recommend them to?
I’m not sure about the order, but my top three favorites are Bicentennial Man, the Back to the Future trilogy, and Somewhere in Time. Here’s why:
Bicentennial Man combines the best of me: my passion for technology and my romantic side. Additionally, the reflection on “What makes us human?” is something that truly fascinates me. Surprisingly, it’s a movie I watched as a child, and unknowingly, it has influenced and continues to fuel my desire to think and reflect on the coexistence or struggle between humanity and technology.
Back to the Future doesn’t have a philosophical aspect, or at least I don’t see it that way, but I love it. It’s one of those things that you can’t explain why, but it captivates and excites you. Science fiction, along with romantic movies, is my preferred genre. Following Marty’s adventures and misadventures is something I never get tired of.
Somewhere in Time is an interesting blend of romance and science fiction. Although it’s clearly a science fiction movie, it beautifully portrays love. I think that loving the way the protagonist does is the epitome of what I believe love is.
During which part of the day are you most productive and creative?
At night. I’m a night owl, and the nights tend to be my most active time.
What is your favorite place you have ever traveled to and why?
Before 2022, I might have answered China because it was the first country I visited (well, technically the second, though Canada was just a layover). However, Paris is by far a place I loved and remember nostalgically, and I want to return to as many times as possible. Since I was a child, I dreamt of standing beneath the Eiffel Tower (in fact, I made a handmade “photoshop” of myself as a child standing in front of it). Seeing it with my own eyes and achieving that goal was almost like reciting a poem by Amado Nervo (a Mexican poet) to myself. In his most famous poem, “En paz” (In Peace), one of the verses says, “Life, I owe you nothing, life, we are at peace.”
Which superpower would you like to have?
It’s not a typical superpower, but I see it that way: photographic memory. To think that there are people capable of remembering everything (like speed-reading books) is a golden dream. Although, of course, I know that remembering everything may not be as pleasant if it includes bad memories, but it would be very interesting.
What is your best advice for APA members reading this?
Think more about the people who “aren’t interested” in philosophy. I believe that many times when we are immersed in this world of philosophy or humanities in general, we feel that everything should revolve around it, and we take for granted the idea that everyone should be interested in philosophy. The “ordinary people,” workers, homemakers, boys and girls, and others, don’t have to have a curiosity for philosophy, and I believe that reaching out to them should be one of the main missions. Not in a proselytizing manner, but I do think that sometimes we are a bit arrogant when we sit and wait for people to come to us when it should be that we go to them.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Alexis LaBar has a Master’s degree in Philosophy from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Before attending West Chester, she graduated from Moravian University with a Bachelor’s in Philosophy, a minor in Global Religions, and an Ethics certificate. She is the recipient of the 2022 Claghorn Award in Philosophy, awarded by West Chester University, and the 2021 Douglas Anderson Prize in Philosophy, awarded by Moravian University. She is the Editor of the Teaching Beat and Work/Life Balance Beat.
