– I wrote this as a response to my Latin American Studies coursemates. I am reading many comments that look the same here, those evoking surprise, and I am genuinely curious why there isn’t more skepticism to spoon-feed facts. There is a famous line by Winston Churchill (the eugenist who bumbled WW1 and then was […]
Some alternative history perspectives. Read More »
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin KwanMy rating: 3 of 5 stars I enjoyed this romp through Asia, an eye opening experience to be sure. Kevin Kwan creates a nightmare paradise of extravagant materialism and rigid tradition, where life’s entire purpose has become accumulating enough status points to enter into a great Singapore family. Rachel Chu
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Arms Sales: USA vs Russia from Will Geary on Vimeo. Can you imagine if we had spent this money instead on food, education, water, and health?
The War Machines in Action Read More »
No matter how many times I see the history of eugenics and its blood-soaked impact upon civilization, there is no diminishing that feeling of utter helplessness in the face of the disturbing conclusion that no matter whether humanity pursues religion or science, it will ultimately lead to the same outcome. Nevertheless, I will try to
Eugenics, Scientific Reaction, and My Comments (Latin American Studies) Read More »
Dawn by Octavia E. ButlerMy rating: 4 of 5 stars What a great story!Terrifying and seductive and such awesome world building. These may be my favorite aliens ever.Humans are predictably uncivilized showing all our worse traits, but Octavia Butler is a realist and holds nothing back. Our antipathy to aliens lies deep within our core
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https://www.worldanvil.com/w/tarn-tarnhead Tarn Created by tarnhead Tarn is a fantasy world whose various indigenous people are being observed and eventually colonized by “extratarnials” (ETs). For now, the ETs are content with small interventions, almost never appearing in physical form, so these instances are woven into the fabric of the mythology of the Tarnials. Several times in
Cherry knew Fester was having an affair. All the signs were there: late nights at the warehouse, his secretive phone calls at odd hours of the night, and—worst of all—how his feelings towards her had blackened. For days she had denied all the evidence, but today she discovered a new wrinkle, one that defied rationalization:
Finding Out About Fester Read More »
After last night’s rains, the morning sunshine and blue skies are a pleasant surprise. The air is clean and bursts with life’s electricity, as Jazz, my 4-year-old son, and I arrive early in Washington Square Park with my guitar and harmonica, setting up between the fountain and the arch. On days like these, I can
Dispelling the Magic Read More »
Spinning Silver by Naomi NovikMy rating: 5 of 5 stars Note: mild spoilers (just a little more than a dust jacket summary and list of characters) Naomi Novik’s modern fairy tale, Spinning Silver, draws from Indo-European folklore, especially the story of Rumpelstiltskin. Novik is both upfront and subversive about the story’s roots, starting the novel
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Liddell Gibson looks up from the job application he studies and flashes a grin to Jazz, the man seated across the cafeteria table. Jazz returns it with serenity, and Liddell notes his concrete jaw, wide brow, and hint of stubble the same hue as his long Viking gold locks. They were about the same age,
Nothing for the Follicles Read More »