Why are we still using lightsabers? To prepare for another one of my Knights of the Old Republic playthroughs I recently read a couple Old Republic comics. I wanted to get into the mindset and see some context of the names and references in the game. I had never thought about why the Old RepublicContinue reading “Relativistic Economics”
Author Archives: Pat W
Free Audiobooks! Not a Scam!
On Apple podcasts, I recently found various organizations doing audiobook readings of public domain works. Since all the readings are done by volunteers, the quality can be up and down. But free is free and some of the readers are excellent. To date, two of the best that I have found are Rick Kistner (?)Continue reading “Free Audiobooks! Not a Scam!”
The Man From Earth – What is History? What is Myth?
I was enthralled by The Man from Earth. I usually enjoy the wife’s wisecracks while watching a movie, but this time it took a lot of self control to not tell her to shove it. I was hanging on every word and line of dialogue and did not want to miss a moment. The TenContinue reading “The Man From Earth – What is History? What is Myth?”
Siddhartha – The More I Learn the Less I Know
“I neither know nor think that I know” is attributed to Socrates and often used as a pithy cliche to demonstrate one’s wisdom and critical thinking. Cliches get a bad rap. Cliches are cliched for a reason; there is always an element of truth. I don’t consider myself particularly clever or intelligent. I simply enjoyContinue reading “Siddhartha – The More I Learn the Less I Know”
Frank Miller’s 300 and Leaning On Strength
Frank Miller effectively used the visual medium to highlight one small and vital aspect of his story, the magnitude of the invading Persians.
Batrankings
I mentioned Batrankings back in my post about some of Frank Miller’s work. I want to give them the credit they deserve. The hosts Ben Creighton and Kenny Windorski are obviously good friends and obviously love the material. But then, who doesn’t love Batman: The Animated Series? It is one of the best American cartoons.Continue reading “Batrankings”
Embassytown and The Left Hand of Darkness
If forced to choose, I might say I preferred Embassytown by China Miéville simply because there was more plot. And what a crazily unique plot it has. Usrsula K Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness feels more like a thinking piece with excellent world building and asked better questions. Although I think I likedContinue reading “Embassytown and The Left Hand of Darkness”
Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns
In the interest of expanding literacy, I am trying to consume new-to-me forms of media. I had never read comics or graphic novels, but I’ve always loved Batman: The Animated Series and a recent episode of the Batrankings podcast made me aware of Frank Miller’s work with Batman. I was inspired to take the plungeContinue reading “Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns”
India and the Third Impact
Spoilers for Neon Genesis Evangelion and End of Evangelion follow. On the surface, an anime about giant robots fighting giant aliens has nothing in common with ancient Indian history. But much like Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Trojan Horse show about emotional trauma, it also connects to a fundamental aspect of Hinduism. Reading The Upanishads,Continue reading “India and the Third Impact”
Gendo Ikari – Sexual Terrorist
Spoilers for Neon Genesis Evangelion and End of Evangelion follow. In my copy of A Streetcar Named Desire, Arthur Miller refers to Marlon Brando (playing Stanley in the 1951 production) as a “tiger on the loose, a sexual terrorist.” Miller goes on to reference “[Tennessee] Williams’ celebratory terror of sex, its awful truthfulness and itsContinue reading “Gendo Ikari – Sexual Terrorist”
The Keasy Depot 