Building on two articles by Holden Karnoffsky, I argue that utopian fiction fails because it's trying to depict something impossible. Read more (5 min, 1700 words).
Why Utopia Fails
The Self Compass
Four classes of forces shape our selves, which do we think of as the most important? It varies, and if we miss this we have a hard time properly understanding what others are saying. Read more (11 min, 2800 words).
Language Erodes
Saying that "language evolves" is no enough to dismiss complaints about the misuse of words, since "language erodes" is just as valid, but without the suggestion of progress. Read more (9 min, 2300 words).
The Political Is Personal
People experience the nature of their wants, needs and desires very differently, and when they generalize the specifics of their own psychology onto everyone else it has a profound effect on their political beliefs. Read more (13 min, 3200 words).
It’s a Book!
In which I announce that I'm going to write a book. Read more (3 min, 700 words).
7 Unworkable Projects
I discuss seven overly ambitious projects I idly fantasize about being able to complete. Read more(20 min, 4900 words).
7 Swedish Words to Import
I describe a few words in Swedish i find myself wanting to use in English, for example when blogging.
Read more (8 min, 2000 words).
7 Hang-ups To Hang Up On
I discuss the seven facets of perfectionism I need to get under control if I want to become a more productive writer. Read more (12 min, 3000 words).
Toxic Emissions
We often say things we don't really mean, which is fine as long as what we say doesn't make its way to where it looks like we do mean it. Avoiding that is getting more and more difficult and the consequences are quite serious.
Read more (8 min, 2000 words).
Looking Back on ’21 and Forward to the Rest
I sum up last year, look back on six years of blogging, and decide that it's probably time for some crisis and change. But how, and what? Read more (11 min, 2800 words.)
Everything Studies 