The Dilemma of Honour and Realpolitik in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire
Honour in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire
The central theme in George R.R. Martin's fantasy epic 'A Song of Ice and Fire' (ASIF) is the concept of honour (or 'honor' by the American spelling). But what is honour? The concept is so alien to modern, western sens[...]
A Song of Ice and Fire – by George R. R. Martin
A tradition of high sophistication is now well established in genre writing. It’s been going for a while in spy and crime fiction and a little while back; Tad Williams put in a good entry in the fantasy genre. [...]
How to Win Friends and Influence People
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is a self-help mega classic. It's fame is so enormous that far more people have heard of the book than read it - as it often the way with really famous books. I [...]
Paul Adams, Dunbar’s Number and the Hidden Narrative of Social Networking
There is a narrative hidden underneath the emergent social networking phenomenon. It’s a story about our fundamental psychological reality and our absolute potential as a species. Thousands of pundits are tryin[...]
Comedy, Documentary/Non-Fiction, Drama, Movies
I’m Still Here (2010) – But Most of Us Aren’t
You need to see "I'm Still Here", the documentary/mockumentary of the spectacular fall from grace of actor Joaquin Phoenix, directed by his brother-in-law, Casey Affleck. The central question posed by this film concerns the nature of this dividing line and how it gets drawn by contemporary culture and media. Its skill lies in the way it blocks us from drawing this line in the ways to which we are accustomed.
The Social Network, the End of Intimacy, and the Birth of Hacker Sensibility
Think about the person closest to you and the connection that you have. Feel the sense of familiarity and trust. Think of the wonderful experiences your intimacy has enabled. But now imagine this intimacy is torn away. Their eyes intimate indifference. You’re just one of the billions of people to whom they could possibly [...]
