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What is in a name?  We are told that a rose smells the same no matter its title, yet we pin a great deal of our perceptions upon the smallest of things.  Would there be an actual shift in our collective perception if the touchstones of our lives were suddenly given drastically different titles?

What is the true significance of the few words we choose to place upon ourselves as we move through life?  How does the experience of our world adapt or even grow smaller as a consequence of those decisions?

In this episode I explore the curious ways each variation of title we are given adds color to an experience.  In subtle ways, each name we choose to answer to connects different emotional pathways to our deepest perceptions of ourselves.  By seeing these links, we are given the opportunities to define ourselves in remarkably new ways, should we choose to take the leap.

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The idea of the mechanical beings we create inevitably dominating our species is a trope that goes back to before robotics were even possible.  Even today, we seem to instinctively view any advancement in the development of Artificial Intelligence with a skeptical, paranoid, and even hostile perspective.  But could our fears be the very thing that makes such eventualities likely?

In this episode I put forward a new perspective on ways we may approach our next creations and avoid such a fate.  In particular, I outline a simple framework by which the nature of the interactions between humanity and its objects might take on a different set of overtones.  By reassessing the emotional cues and feedback that define our interpretation of behavior, I seek to engender a more familiar and affectionate foundation between ourselves and the things we may soon find are possible.
For your consideration…

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Cryptocurrency is ironically elegantly named.  It seems, as the understanding of its function and meaning has become one of the most confusing new tasks in finance since the invention of fine print.  The fact that the term NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token is likewise obtuse enough to be practically useless information among the general population.  Yet, the words themselves buzz around among conversations with tales of millions of dollars made, and lost.

In this episode, I try to toss away the annoying jargon and address the pure concepts by which cryptocurrency works in the hopes of laying a stable groundwork upon which more rational decisions can be based.
With the understanding that the technology and marketplace are likely to persist far into our collective futures, it seems most proper to help clarify things in the hopes of foiling the devious plans of those who seek to mislead everyone.

This one goes out to all the Nigerian Princes…

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The brooding artist pulling greatness from the very depths of their soul; the greatest art coming from those who suffered much for their art; the haunting tragedy of artistic genius lost all too young…

As a culture we celebrate The Arts as a sign of greatness within a civilization.  The very foundations of a nation’s self identity can be based upon the great works it holds in high esteem, and the minds and hands these masterpieces sprang forth from are held in nearly hallowed regard. 

Yet, as a society reaping the benefits of this output, we seldom stop to consider the effects such pursuits have upon those who chase them.  Even as we willingly acknowledge the tendency for artists to suffer greatly for their work, starving, and even coming to desperately dark ends, we tell ourselves that artistic people are somehow “simply built like that.”

But what if the pursuit of artistic greatness itself in our society drives people into depressions, self doubt, and the very discontent we take as inevitable?
Are there hidden repercussions to oneself within the arts community as a whole?
In this episode, we delve into the topic in the hopes of uncovering lesser explored aspects of the creative process.  For better or worse!

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How strictly practical does a line of inquiry need to be to have merit?  Is there value to be had in exploring purely fantastical possibilities?  There was a time in our lives when this question was easier to answer in the affirmative; a time when pretending was its own reward.

In this week’s episode we delve into the depths of my own penchant for over analysis to answer the simple question: “Which fictional movie prop would you choose to own if you were given the opportunity to select one?”

With the topic so liable to provoke opinions and debates of all sorts, this week I put forth my own unique perspective.  At first underwhelming and unassuming, you may be surprised what opportunities can be created with the simplest of things.
Would you like to hear about it?

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What does it take to create a unique world for yourself, become someone completely different, and dive inside to explore and create amazing adventures?  Most people spend hundreds of dollars on advanced game systems, all of the latest games, or even thousands building custom computers for just this purpose, only to see them rendered obsolete within a year or two.  But what if there were a way to create even more potentially vivid and engrossing games with nothing but a pencil and paper, a few good friends, and a handful of dice?

The creation and long adaptation of Tabletop Rollplaying Games has sought to perfect this idea for nearly 4 decades now.  Beginning in the early to mid 1970s with the publishing of Dungeons and Dragons, it has developed into a collection of variations with themes from fantasy, to noire, to space, and even popular franchises like Star Trek, Star Wars, Stranger Things, and Rick & Morty.

What is it that drives this longevity?  What continues to enthrall gamers after so many years with so many high powered electronic alternatives?

In this episode we will explore the lesser known qualities of the tabletop genre, its surprising benefits for those who participate, and reasons why someone might consider delving into the games that are on offer.  You might just find yourself surprised to hear what you have been missing all this time, even if you already think you have every reason to avoid the topic!
Care to roll the dice?

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Homes are the most beloved and important buildings we interact with on a day to day basis.  Their structures not only serve to protect us from the harsh elements and provide security from the outside world, but also serve as a backdrop for memories and events that can follow us throughout our lives, sculpting us in unseen ways.

Despite this integral and critical roll in our existence, the nature and structure of a home is often disregarded by most of the population.  Forced into placid acceptance of the homes they are given access to, they strive to make do as best they can.  Too often, when the rare chance arises to sculpt a home from scratch, the major decisions are handed off to some other person who, for better or worse, makes decisions with the understanding that they will never be expected to live within their choices.

In this episode, therefore, we delve into my personal hobby of home design.  I discuss the challenges, the pitfalls, and the misconceptions that await anyone seeking to try their hand at designing.  With the chance to define the stages future lives will be lived upon, we also undertake the daunting challenge of sculpting that environment in the three dimensional puzzle it represents.

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Bias and Prejudice!  Dirty words to throw around among modern society.  Indeed, at a time of avid “social justice activism” the very hint of such a feeling is tantamount to full blown bigotry and xenophobia.  Yet, the truth is, the development of bias and the implementation of prejudice is a normal and natural practice of human behavior.

How then do we identify this activity?  By what metric can we judge its quality and utility?  Is its presence always an evil?  How do we identify the malicious sort from the benign?  If it is a natural event, how do we eradicate it?

In this episode, we boldly stride into the social minefield that is a discussion about prejudice from a nuanced perspective.  In stark contrast to the prevailing narrative of our time, we then broach the idea that the practice itself is not devoid of utility - when properly wielded.
But, you may have already made up your mind about that…

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Poetry, while perhaps one of the oldest and most fundamental forms of shared art, has become a medium looked upon with shades of disdain among the average population in our modern society.  Like abstract art, it can be viewed as too obtuse and esoteric for the public at large to approach.
Once the center of celebrations in longhouses and mead halls for days on end, it has been relegated to moody teen bedrooms and snooty artist open mics as the population has lost contact with it.

In an effort to reconnect with this powerfully expressive and free flowing method of conveyance between individuals, I seek to break down the many ways in which the artform can be used to shape the end result.  By learning to identify and recognize the peculiar structures a poet may choose to adopt when crafting a piece, we can better understand the quality and effectiveness of the end result.  By breaking down the barriers of understanding, it is hoped that this episode opens up fissures through which enjoyment can eventually pass.

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Boldly launched amid the turbulent 1960s, the fantastic world of Star Trek has become a cultural icon for generations.  It has existed in our collective memories for so long that we can take its guiding principles and established tropes for granted.  

What happens then when we decide to turn a more critical eye on a universe that has long been held up as a utopian ideal?  What less stellar realities await for those within the Star Trek universe who happen to exist outside of our usual frame of reference?  What is life like for those living Beyond the Bridge?

In this episode, we explore the hypothetical daily lives of the many people passing through the backgrounds of our most beloved stories.  We seek out the experiences of those deep within the federation civilization.  We boldly go into detail about what the true nature of the starfleet system might amount to in realistic terms.  In the end, we are left asking ourselves if the conclusions set forth a reality we could really call ideal;  a future we would really choose to manifest.

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