Over at The Everyman, I explain why Rian Johnson deserves the coveted title of Voice of a Generation: But amazingly incompetent writers are a dime-a-dozen in Hollywood these days (see also Zack Snyder). It takes more than that to be crowned the voice of a generation. He who would aspire to such a title must … Continue reading Rian Johnson: The Voice of a Generation
Modern Cluelessness
Meanwhile, at ‘The Everyman’, It’s Groundhog Day!
Today I got to talk about the modern classic Groundhog Day at The Everyman: And for once, the accompanying photo is absolutely perfect The film very wisely does not give any kind of explanation for the time loop, avoiding the triteness that any such answer would bring. Ironically enough, this makes the central conceit feel … Continue reading Meanwhile, at ‘The Everyman’, It’s Groundhog Day!
Thought of the Day: On Darwin’s Popularity
The standard narrative for On the Origin of Species is that it changed the way people saw the world and rocked the intellectual foundations of Christian civilization. The truth is, it didn't change anything. People didn't abandon their faith and shift their paradigms because they read Darwin; they ate up Darwin as a perfect narrative … Continue reading Thought of the Day: On Darwin’s Popularity
Who’s in Charge?
I've posted this one before, but it's kind of perennial:
Friday Flotsam: On Retreat, More Anime, and Making History
1. Going on a silent retreat this weekend, which I really feel the need for. I've been experiencing what feels like some personal growth lately, and with it's come another sort of existential disappointment over where I am at the moment. 2. I'm taking a break from My Hero Academia for a bit, since it's … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: On Retreat, More Anime, and Making History
Friday Flotsam: Grumpy Talk Mostly of Manners and Values
1. I've been oddly tired this week; it's been hard for me to make myself do any work or focus on anything. I don't know whether it's depression, low blood-sugar (I'm fasting for Advent), adverse spiritual influence, or some combo. Probably a combo. 2. There are ways to reach superficially similar effects through morally opposite … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: Grumpy Talk Mostly of Manners and Values
‘Good Ole Rebel’ at the Everyman
My latest piece is up at the Everyman: I’m very fond of the postbellum Confederate song ‘Good Ole’ Rebel’. Dating from the bitter days of Reconstruction, it offers a defiant rejection of the new order: Oh, I’m a good ole’ rebel, now that’s just what I am For this ‘fair land of freedom’ I do not … Continue reading ‘Good Ole Rebel’ at the Everyman
Thought of the Day: Perpetually Revolutionary
It is perhaps the most distinctive mark of the modernist that he never can imagine that his views are anything but revolutionary, even (or especially) when they are ubiquitous. Thus we have the amusing spectacle of a man sneering at ‘conformists’ while never straying an inch from the common assumptions of his own age and … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Perpetually Revolutionary
Thought of the Day: Materialist View of Origins of Life
The materialist view of the origins of life is one of those things that looks okay from a high-level, blurry view, but which turns utterly absurd once you examine it closer. Or perhaps not even that; just when you phrase it correctly. It seems to be that a chemical reaction became self-perpetuating and everything that’s … Continue reading Thought of the Day: Materialist View of Origins of Life
Smart Appliances are a Stupid Idea
Great post from David Stewart here about his experience moving into a house with a ‘smart’ thermostat and why ‘smart’ appliances are a stupid idea in general. Recommend reading the whole thing and the comments. Rudolph Harrier makes an excellent point in the latter: that smart appliances are not actually intended for convenience, they’re meant … Continue reading Smart Appliances are a Stupid Idea
Serpent's Den 