My Blog | Prose and Context

Warriors face a massive sandworm under a fiery sky, holding weapons and raising fists. Flying ships hover above in an epic, intense scene.

Life Has Value

Speculative fiction stories have a tradition of placing more value on a few noble lives than on those of the plebeian masses. Is life innately meaningful?

Jun 12, 20255 min read

A hooded figure in a red cloak holds a flame beside a dark animal. Floral garden with hanging blossoms and trees in the background. Mysterious mood.

What is Speculative Fiction?

Speculative fiction encompasses science fiction, fantasy, weird fiction, magical realism and more – some of which I might be alone in arguing for. What is it, and what's the point?

Reflections

Jun 8, 20254 min read

A space-suited figure cradles an unconscious person on a green background with floating portraits of diverse individuals. A star shines above.

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?

Ideas in Context

Jun 5, 20254 min read

A person in a tank top ponders five colorful characters: a singer, smoker, strongman, cowboy, and football player, on a textured background.

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.

Film and TV Rec's

Jun 1, 20255 min read

Book covers: "Chain Gang All Stars" on green background with pink arrow, "Bury Your Gays" with sunset text and metal spade on black.

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!

Ideas in Context

May 29, 20253 min read

Bald character in armor holding a hammer over shoulder. Bold patterns and colors in yellow, red, and blue background convey strength.

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?

Reflections

May 25, 20254 min read

Surreal face composed of intricate patterns, leaves, and geometric shapes in pink and purple hues, creating a mystical and abstract atmosphere.

ADHD, Queerness, Chaos & Categorization

Musing on categorization in terms of ADHD and our human tendency towards in- and out-groups. Why doesn't the same useful tool work the same way for every situation?

Reflections

May 22, 20254 min read

Man in hat and skeleton embrace in foreground. Three figures with guitars sit on red background. Stars scattered on black backdrop.

Ghost’s Missilia Amori, Umbra: Love & Manipulation

Two Ghost songs about sex, one article for me to get from there to a moral about mindfulness. Can we do it?

Lyrical

May 18, 20255 min read

A person in a silver sci-fi suit with a circular helmet stands against a blurred machine background, evoking a futuristic mood.

The Murderbot Diaries – What's It About?

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells are an incredible series of books that achieve a perfect tone of humour and love in the face of overwhelming odds. Will the adaptation succeed?

Film and TV Rec's

May 15, 20255 min read

Three figures on a raft in a lush river head towards an orange portal showing a desert landscape. The scene is mystical and adventurous.

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!

Ideas in Context

May 11, 20255 min read

Crowd stands before a dark building with glowing orange windows. A fiery sky looms above, creating an intense and dramatic scene.

Sinners: When You’re Dead, You’re Family [Vampires VIII]

'Sinners' explores how vampires can often exist in a symbolic grey area, and how they relate to ideas of life and community. Join me as I discuss this fantastic film!

May 8, 20254 min read

A man in a cape approaches a dark, spiky figure near stone ruins in a rocky desert, his infant daughter in his proffered hands.

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.

Ideas in Context

May 4, 20255 min read

Young woman with short hair looks at the camera, dimly lit room, patterned wallpaper, warm lamp glow. Calm, contemplative mood.

Vampires VII: Self-Acceptance in Ghost's "Lachryma" and Nosferatu

Lachryma by Ghost looks like a simple breakup song at first glance, but offers a deeper reflection on how we deal with our inner demons. I compare the music video to Nosferatu (2024), which deals with similar themes.

May 1, 20256 min read

Four horsemen ride through a chaotic scene of fallen warriors, set against a stormy sky. Colors are dark and somber, evoking apocalypse.

'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.

Lyrical

Apr 27, 20255 min read

Woman in red dress holds a rifle and white bonnet, with text "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum" on brown-gray background, creating a rebellious mood.

Dystopia & Privilege

Exploring meaning beyond the binary of right and wrong, and how dystopian fiction can help us recognize real world oppression.

Ideas in Context

Apr 24, 20254 min read

Mysterious figure with a glowing red cross on chest, set against a dark, abstract background. Moody and enigmatic atmosphere.

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?

Ideas in Context

Apr 20, 20254 min read

Transhumanism IV: Digital Consciousness in Black Mirror

Black Mirror has focused a lot on digital consciousness over the years. What morals do these depictions present regarding transhumanism, when taken as a whole?

Apr 17, 20256 min read