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The Makings of a Masterpiece
Few stories leave a lasting impression to compare with this science fiction romance which spans multiverses and takes place in the form of letters exchanged between rival agents. What makes this book so excellent?
Jun 237 min read


Tain Shir, Bane of Wives [Einherjar]
"Look at Tain Shir and you cannot fathom the name behind the cartouche. You cannot extract her reasons. You only see why men turn to religion: for hope that there are gods to oppose her.”
― Seth Dickinson
Jun 166 min read


Corporate Dehumanization II
In these stories, lives are a disposable commodity whose only purpose is to increase corporate profit. What lessons can we take for our own world?
Jun 54 min read


The Rehearsal's Problem is Traditional Masculinity
The Rehearsal Season Two tries to fix the communication issues between pilots, but doesn't quite make the connection to masculinity. I bridge the gap on Fielder's behalf.
Jun 15 min read


Telling It Like It Is
When it comes to issues you're deeply passionate and knowledgeable about, why stick to subtlety? These books put their messages front and center, and might be better for it!
May 293 min read


Attention & The Speed of Fight
My brand of ADHD and personal experience makes emotional conflict a devastating interruption. How can we relate that to narrative combat in fiction?
May 254 min read


ADHD & Faster-Than-Light Travel
Neurodivergent minds bear a striking similarity to faster-than-light travel when it comes to maintaining relationships. Is that a good thing? Up to you!
May 115 min read


Tragedy: The Binding of Isaac Retold in Hyperion
Abraham and Isaac's story is retold in the 2700s, with time wackiness and the Lord of Pain in place of God – and it's brilliant.
May 45 min read


'Marks of the Evil One' by Ghost: Revelations
Ghost's album Skeletá is out! One of my favourite tracks explores a terrifying real-world perspective, how it arose and what it will inevitably lead to.
Apr 275 min read


Dystopia & Privilege
Exploring meaning beyond the binary of right and wrong, and how dystopian fiction can help us recognize real world oppression.
Apr 244 min read


The Symbol of the Cruciform in Dan Simmons' Hyperion
One story from Dan Simmons' 1989 novel involves faith and resurrection, though Jesus is nowhere to be seen. A fitting exploration for Easter Sunday?
Apr 204 min read


How ADHD Corrupts the Purpose of Guilt
Useful, adaptive guilt vs. toxic, maladaptive guilt: How do we tell the difference? I explore examples from The Stormlight Archive.
Apr 104 min read


Touching Allegories in 'The Tomb of Dragons'
From interpersonal communication to the responsibility we have to victims of colonization, Addison's novel offers us a lot to think about!
Apr 65 min read


Escaping the Unconscious Collective
How do we recognize our role as cogs in a massive system? Looking at Senlin Ascends and The Masquerade books and The Banality of Evil!
Apr 34 min read


Clarity from the Worst Possible Advice
Why does it feel easier to learn from the worst possible advice than from straightforward, positive guidelines? Let's get evil & miserable.
Mar 304 min read
![(Universali)Tea in Speculative Fiction [Swift Riffle]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_eeebe61e77014ce1920f98ca37f319ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_eeebe61e77014ce1920f98ca37f319ca~mv2.webp)
![(Universali)Tea in Speculative Fiction [Swift Riffle]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_eeebe61e77014ce1920f98ca37f319ca~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_eeebe61e77014ce1920f98ca37f319ca~mv2.webp)
(Universali)Tea in Speculative Fiction [Swift Riffle]
Tea is near-omnipresent in stories of speculative fiction! I take a look at why, by looking at real world history and a number of examples.
Mar 275 min read


Managing Expectations (Severance Season 2)
It's easy to get lost in excitement for a story and forget that things might not turn out the way you expect – as happened with Severance.
Mar 234 min read


There is Still Time: How 'I Saw the TV Glow' Illuminates Trans Experiences
This film offers a human, soulful glimpse into the experiences of trans people at a time when hate and alienation are at a sickening high.
Mar 204 min read


Journey Before Destination [I]
Stormlight helped teach me that improvement is gradual and non-linear. There will be setbacks, but we can overcome them.
Mar 94 min read


Tranquility in Strength (Thara Celehar)
Exploring the relationship between power and conduct, with insight from 'The Witness for the Dead', my life with ADHD and real world evils.
Mar 65 min read
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