Mark Knopfler: Sultan of Song
“The thing is,” Mark Knopfler says of his craft, “if you’ve energized somebody . . . or you’ve sensitized somebody, you’ve made a difference.”
Jon Hersey Oct 23, 2024
Self-Concept in Thornhedge
This fun fantasy novella offers an opportunity to reflect on identity and self-esteem.
“The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood
This spinoff to The Handmaid’s Tale, set in the same tyrannical theocracy (the Republic of Gilead), alternates between the perspectives of three very different women. Aunt Lydia, the only character who’s in both this novel and the original, was coerced into helping...
I Found the Day Music Actually Died
I did something kind of nuts, and it took forever, but I think it clearly shows that pop music has definitely gotten worse.
Dealing with Appraisals of Your Creative Work
Creative thinking is part of the bridge between sand and smartphones. But, creative work requires more than just raw intelligence.
“How to Stop Time” by Matt Haig
How would you handle the fear of loss and create a purpose if you lived fifteen times longer than everyone around you?
Dystopian Fiction: Worlds without Rights
I discuss how dystopian novels can demonstrate the importance of individual rights, using Lois Lowry’s "The Giver" as my primary example.
“The Fountainhead” Reading Group
Architect Howard Roark wants to erect buildings “such as had never stood on the face of the earth.” But his innovative approach sparks resentment and resistance. Even the woman he loves undermines his career, believing people are too small-minded to accept his...
Self-esteem in “Ender’s Game”
Can you imagine a threat serious enough to justify (in anyone’s mind) training children in combat?