It's official, folks! I'm writing a novella! For a story contest, I'm supposed to write a first chapter of something, and I have no intention of leaving it as a singular chapter. So I'm writing a novella! Unfortunately, with the topic of my novella, the cover looks really similar to a new short story I'm…
Reminder: Story Contest Deadline
Hello everyone! I'd like to remind you that today is the deadline for the short story contest. Well, if you live in America, at least. Time zones are funny like that. Please give links to your stories in the comments of this post or the original post. Just to refresh your memory, if you want…
The First Golden Quill Short Story Contest
Hello, everybody! If you didn't know, I participated in a story contest a couple of weeks ago, hosted by a fellow writer. I've been inspired to host a competition of my own, as I'd like to read my readers' writing. If that makes sense. The Rules Have fun! This is the most important aspect of…
Government, Week 5
If the state is strong enough to do something good for you, it can also do something bad to you. The state’s ability to do good depends on coercive power. Any institution powerful enough to help people can also cause harm. The state supports many ‘good’ causes: free education for the masses, having people set aside money…
Biology, Week 6
Some genetic disorders are not hereditary. Give an example of one of these, and describe the molecular process that causes the disorder to occur. Genetic disorders are often passed down through families, because genes are copied and given to the next child. But some disorders are the result of improper meiosis and mitosis. An example of this is Down’s Syndrome. Meiosis…
Western Civilization II, Week 5
What kinds of ideas were the "eutopians" promoting? Why is it perhaps not a coincidence that this desire to rethink the organization of society emerged in the sixteenth century in particular? You are probably familiar with the idea of Utopia. A paradise, where no conflicts arise, and no free trade could possibly ensue. So, not really a paradise. The word utopia translates to “no place.”…
Western Literature II, Week 5
Michel de Montaigne was a French writer, popularizing the form of the essay. If only his essays were legible, I might be able to credit him with more than a literary form. Due to his trailing sentences, lack of a clear opinion, and the focus on himself, I would not recommend his essays. I learned nothing of…
Western Literature II, Week 6
The story of Doctor Faust is constantly repeated in classical literature and music. It has been the subject of many poems, novels, symphonies, and sonatas. This morbid tale of a man, selling his soul to the devil, and eventually falling prey to Satan himself. Why are people so obsessed with this theme? Example for Lutherans In the seventeenth century,…
Government, Week 6
Is it possible to have state subsidies without state control? When you pay someone, you expect a produce in return. So does the state. You may receive money, or guaranteed jobs. But, to reference the timeless quote, "there's no such thing as a free lunch in economics." A quote that has repeatedly held up under rising…
Biology, Week 4
When you sustain a wound, it typically forms a scab. When it falls off, new skin is revealed underneath. This tissue repair is because of mitosis— cell separation. This duplicates cells, allowing for functions like growth and healing. Each cell undergoes a constant cycle. For most of the cycle, it is completing typical cell functions— producing…
Government, Week 4
A Victorian Era Frenchman named Frédéric Bastiat wrote an intriguing series of essays on law. It describes his theory on taxes, and the role of government. According to Bastiat, people rightfully own property. This can take the form of money, land, or belongings. It is considered theft to take from a person against their will.…
Western Civilization II, Week 4
The sixteenth century was terrifying. In England, religious favor switched every few years. It wasn’t safe to be on either side. Spain revived the Inquisition, extending it to other territories. France was engaged in the Wars of Religion, leading to thousands of civilian deaths. But these widespread persecutions eventually gave way to the foundation of modern democracy. The Netherlands…
Western Literature II, Week 4
John Foxe was an English Protestant, who wrote Acts and Monuments of the Christian Church. It is famously known as Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, as it describes the many martyrs of the Christian church. It was a cherished book of the Puritans, who brought many copies across the ocean when they fled the Church of England. When I was assigned this reading, I…
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