The last thing I want is for this post to come off as exploitative. Right now, my thoughts are for the people of Ukraine only. What's happening there is not just tragic, but the kind of thing that makes you question whether we're living in a storybook. It's like Trump and the January 6th insurrection.... Continue Reading →
Why MAUS Matters
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about MAUS, Art Spiegelman's moving holocaust graphic novel, now recently banned by the Tennessee School Board. Schools in Tennessee are run by ninnies, apparently, because all seven members voted to keep the book from the hands of middle schoolers owing to the book's depiction of... Continue Reading →
It, Carrie, and Taboo Subjects in Literature
No discussion of Stephen King's It would be complete without tackling that scene---a scene not surprisingly omitted from every film adaptation---and if you don't know what I'm talking about, just read the book! Hint: sex + children. Historically, taboo subjects in fiction challenge readers to examine social norms, and forces us to consider whether anything... Continue Reading →
The Great Resignation and the Plight of Small Business Owners
There is great unrest among the working class in this country, a pre-French Revolution upheaval that's been heating to a boil. In July alone, four million Americans quit their jobs, and fast-food chains have had to shut their doors for lack of staff. This Great Resignation is the result of growing inequality and the slow... Continue Reading →
Politics in Storytelling and Kevin Smith’s He-Man
In this episode of Story Matters, Heather and I delve into the conservative YouTube/social media debacle. We talk about being "woke" and an "SJW," modern-day feminism, and we examine what role politics has to play in film, TV, and literature. And of course, we also talk about our favorite thing growing up, the 80's cartoon... Continue Reading →
PODCAST | Objectifying Women in Art and Literature: A Deeper Look
Basically porn. Is every heroine in a skimpy outfit inherently sexist? Is objectification directly proportional to the amount of skin on display? Or is it all about the pose? Do male heroes like He-Man exist solely as a projection fantasy? Or can women enjoy looking at scantily clad men in the same way, and do... Continue Reading →
Trumpism: An Attack on America
I had no plans to write a post tonight. It's late, I've had a long day, and I am tired. Plus, this isn't a political blog. My power to influence anyone's opinion is null. But I can't sleep, and these are the words rattling around in my skull. Ever since Trump got elected four years... Continue Reading →
A Letter to my Trump Supporting Friend
I have lost two friends over Trump. My cycling buddy was the first, whom I hardly had much in common with, other than hitting the trail. The other friend I've known for two-decades. Back in the 90s, long before Facebook, fans of niche pop culture met through e-mail lists, where we shared our passion for... Continue Reading →
I talk to my time traveling self from 2015!
On October 7th 2015, I traveled five years into the future to interview my future self, and that day is TODAY! It's kind of mind-breaking if you think about it, because back then I thought of my current self as future Nick, but now future Nick is me, and the person who had been current... Continue Reading →
Trump is the Villain
Let me make this perfectly clear: Trump is the bad guy. He’s the villain we have to defeat. He’s the threat endangering America. Trump is a liar, a conman, a thief, a racist, a sex-offender, but worst of all, he's a dictator wannabe with fascist tendencies. If you are even considering voting for him, there... Continue Reading →
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