Two weeks ago we discussed how language is just ridiculously complex and full of meaning to just emerge out of nonsense. Music, like language, falls under the umbrella of something too complicated and perfect to pop into existence. Did it just happen that notes naturally fall into a pattern where every eighth one, ascending or... Continue Reading →
If you're on this blog, you're probably a storylover like me. You probably love reading and don't need to be told that books are more satisfying than doomscrolling. Still, this article from TGC is a solid reminder of just why books are worth it for the time they can take or the focus they can... Continue Reading →
“Life is life - whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage.’ ~ Sri Aurobindo, Indian philosopher and creator of yoga. We are always being told, directly or subtly, that we are... Continue Reading →
I've heard the opinion in the Christian world that reading speculative fiction (eg fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk) is a waste of time. It's been called 'escapist.' I've already gone over the topic of escapism before, but I'd like to reiterate that something is only an escape when someone makes it into that. Fantasy isn't inherently escapist... Continue Reading →
Christmas is all about cheer, goodwill, and remembering childish innocence... right? One would have thought, for all the effort they put into their ad campaign and promoting how much 'audiences are loving' Red One, that Hollywood had actually put out a decent movie. They had big-name actors, incredible amounts of CGI, and Henry Jackman composing... Continue Reading →
What happens to a culture when you take its heroes and change them -- subvert them? What happens when readers and viewers see their childhood role models presented differently, buying in to woke agendas or radically altering their behavior or discarding the beliefs they were built on? I'm not talking about heroes from history --... Continue Reading →
I know many of my current subscribers are teens or young adults. You probably love writing, or at least reading, given that you put up with the highly-specific material I publish. Maybe you too grew up reading ravenously and can point to the books that marked your childhood -- the Chronicles of Narnia, 100 Cupboards,... Continue Reading →
Every child who's grown up on fairytales or Disney has heard the refrain, 'and they lived happily ever after.' It's a theme of every fairytale -- not counting the Grimms', naturally. Why? Why were stories finished with this line or something like it? Because it was convenient? Perhaps. But why are stories that don't end... Continue Reading →
Ya'll, there is a lot of material in here -- it's no quick and easy read, but boy is it thought-provoking. I mean, no one can argue that we aren't living in tough times. I've heard several versions of the "good men make good times, good times make lazy/bad men" cycle, but it's fascinating how... Continue Reading →
This summer, my youth pastor preached a series on worldview. His lecture on animism was particularly interesting, as he pointed out just how deeply it's infiltrated the entertainment of today. In what ways? Let's start by defining animism. It was certainly a term I had never heard before. My pastor defined animism as the over-emphasis... Continue Reading →
