Brief Bedtime Musings on Paradise Lost and an Extremely Wordy Original Poem

You know, the tragedy of Milton’s Satan is that he ends up becoming a worse version of the very thing he is rebelling against. In truth, I wonder Milton’s universe would be better served if both God and the Devil were to follow the path of the Buddha and relinquish the chains of desire to … Continue reading Brief Bedtime Musings on Paradise Lost and an Extremely Wordy Original Poem →

Memes, Messy Metaphors, and Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene

For those of you who are not familiar, The Selfish Gene, written by noted biologist and anti-theist Richard Dawkins (also known for writing The God Delusion) was first published in 1976. It was followed up with a later version which included extensive notes addressing some of the arguments people have made against the ideas postulated … Continue reading Memes, Messy Metaphors, and Richard Dawkins’ The Selfish Gene →

People vs Ideas: What Orson Scott Card’s Ender Saga Has Taught Me About My Own Writing

Well, I’ve been reading more Orson Scott Card. I wrote a post about Speaker for the Dead but ultimately decided against publishing it. It veered into the unproductive snarky, borderline-lecturing sort of content that I’m kind of sick of reading myself, and it’s not the kind of thing I want to put out in the … Continue reading People vs Ideas: What Orson Scott Card’s Ender Saga Has Taught Me About My Own Writing →

Just Because it Looks Good, Doesn’t Mean it Looks Good Enough to Eat

I really have nothing of value to add today but I just have to get this out. I don't care how cool the cake looks. You might as well just make the whole thing out of play-doh because fondant is a waste of cake. It's not a good texture. Not a good flavor. It peels … Continue reading Just Because it Looks Good, Doesn’t Mean it Looks Good Enough to Eat →

Superheroes and Gender Roles: Captain Marvel vs. Ant-Man [Spoilers Ahead]

Photo: https://comicbook.com/marvel/2017/05/25/ant-man-captain-marvel-quantum-verse-/ The thing that initially prompted me to write this post is rooted in wondering if the examples of sexism in Captain Marvel were a little too on the nose. An early example of this occurs in a flashback memory of Carol Danvers’s childhood, where after having crashed while racing go-carts (presumably with her … Continue reading Superheroes and Gender Roles: Captain Marvel vs. Ant-Man [Spoilers Ahead] →

Empathy as a Weapon in the Ender Saga Part II: Abused and Abuser in Ender’s Game

Ender Wiggin experiences abuse at the hands of his brother Peter even before he ever enters the Battle School. Largely ignored and emotionally neglected by their parents, Peter terrorizes both Ender and his sister, regularly threatening to kill them both. According to Graff, it is this sociopathic quality that prevents him from being chosen for … Continue reading Empathy as a Weapon in the Ender Saga Part II: Abused and Abuser in Ender’s Game →

Empathy as a Weapon in the Ender Saga Part I: The Empathetic (Sympathetic) Monster

I just finished reading Ender’s Game and Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card. I can’t say these are books I like. But at the same time, they are not easily dismissed. They are books that some people absolutely hate, and which are deeply meaningful to others. Let’s begin with Ender’s Game. The novel … Continue reading Empathy as a Weapon in the Ender Saga Part I: The Empathetic (Sympathetic) Monster →

Wednesdays Writing Prompt

A Thursday Response to Wednesdays Writing Prompt: One. Shaking hands—a trembling finger Resting lightly on the trigger A second passes in a hundred years Blood-drums pounding in your ears Two. Bead of sweat trickling down your brow Sneering lips—you’ve got her now Heat in your chest a rising fire Vicious sensation of vengeful desire Three. … Continue reading Wednesdays Writing Prompt →