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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
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'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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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![(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
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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
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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
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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
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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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What is House of Leaves? Part III: Johnny Truant & Pelafina
Wrapping up our exploration of the House by meeting our faithful unreliable narrator Johnny Truant and his even more questionable mother.
Feb 276 min read
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What is House of Leaves? Part II: Zampanò
Let's delve into the mysterious mind of the man who invented The Navidson Record, the House and so much more. Who is Zampanò?
Feb 235 min read
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What is House of Leaves? Part I: The Navidson Record
Welcome to my exploration of 'House of Leaves', what this experimental novel is, why you should try reading it and how we can learn from it.
Feb 205 min read
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Who Are You, Really? Fractured Identity & 'Ancillary Justice'
Who are you? Does your answer change depending on the day? On your mood? Has your DNA shaped you into your current form, or has the world?
Feb 166 min read
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![[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part II](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_6a66af1c761e4df28a34546aba8c0c51~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_6a66af1c761e4df28a34546aba8c0c51~mv2.webp)
![[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part II](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_6a66af1c761e4df28a34546aba8c0c51~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_6a66af1c761e4df28a34546aba8c0c51~mv2.webp)
[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part II
Continuing my spotlight on non-binary characters in speculative fiction, with a focus on those who tend toward the thoughtful & mysterious.
Feb 95 min read
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![[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part I](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_32518aaaf1b2400980fe39c4bb7ec191~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_32518aaaf1b2400980fe39c4bb7ec191~mv2.webp)
![[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part I](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/aaea48_32518aaaf1b2400980fe39c4bb7ec191~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_454,h_341,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/aaea48_32518aaaf1b2400980fe39c4bb7ec191~mv2.webp)
[Swift Riffle] Non-binary Characters in Speculative Fiction Part I
Now more than ever before, it seems important to recognize the experiences and lives of non-binary characters. Let's see a few in SFF!
Feb 64 min read
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Empathy Can Still Save Us
We need to practice empathy for each other if we're going to hope to overcome to forces bent on keeping us apart. Here's why!
Jan 306 min read
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