Words Words Words

Domestic terrorists

skzb — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:55:08 +0000

It seems to me that it is in the interest of the public to have a list of all known domestic terrorists and terrorist groups–that is, individuals or minorities who attempt to use fear and terror to accomplish their political goals. Since the other lists I’ve seen are unreliable (I’m told Occupy Wall Street has been added to one such list), I thought I’d step up and offer to make the list right here.

For starters, obviously, we have:

The Department of Homeland Security.

After that, some obvious choices are:

Michael Bloomberg

The NYPD

Rudy Guilianni

The Oakland PD

Okay, that’s a good start. Who else should we add? Speak up.

Domestic terrorists

Auction for Terri: Dedication to my next novel.

skzb — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:24:13 +0000

A bunch of cool people are having an auction to benefit Terri Windling, who first published me, and pretty every good fantasy writer (except R.A.McAvoy) between 1980 and 1990. There are many cool things to bid on. I’ve put in the dedication to my current work in progress, Hawk. Yes, indeed, I’ll dedicate to you; or to someone you want me to.

Check it out here:http://magick4terri.livejournal.com/41067.html

Auction for Terri: Dedication to my next novel.

Anyone know a furniture maker

skzb — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:05:14 +0000

I need a particular piece of custom-built furniture. I can’t go into detail (it’s for a present, and if I describe it, the person it’s for will figure it out), but it will take someone who is good and creative. Does anyone know someone who can do this sort of thing?

Anyone know a furniture maker

On populism, despair, hope, and science

skzb — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:45:06 +0000

I’m currently reading William Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. It’s brilliantly researched, and the author’s prejudices and idealism do little to reduce its value. One of the things that strikes one very forcefully is the list of 25 demands in the program of the Nazi party, and the discussion of which ones were implemented and which ignored. Many of these program points are reminiscent of American populism–both the left-wing variety and the right-wing. If you look at some of the right-wing American populists (Father Coughlin, Huey Long, &c) you’ll see the same thing you see in the program of the Nazi party: proposals to break up financial oligarchy and to distribute the wealth more evenly–the same things you see in the program of left-wing populists. Is the only difference between them that these program points are instantly dropped and forgotten when a Hilter or a Long comes to power?

Both left-wing and right-wing populism are distinguished by hostility to theory and to politics–by the belief that we don’t need an in-depth understanding of what we’re fighting against, it is sufficient that we’re angry at how the elite are abusing their privileges. But privilege and power have a complex dialectical relationship to one another; it takes power to maintain privilege, and privilege in turn confers power. Power in a society is what we call politics, and the argument over who has this power, who ought to have this power, and what ought to be done with it is the expression of the economic conflicts that drive society. To take a stand on the economic conflicts but to ignore the political is to leave one’s self open to the influence of demagogues. At best, you have the IWW, whose hostility to theory and politics led to their collapse; at worst you find yourself backing a Hitler, a Huey Long, a Ron Paul, and wondering how you got there.

Shirer’s book is frightening, because it shows what can happen when rage and despair have no productive outlet. It is also encouraging, because a scientific understanding of how society works–and this book exactly a contribution to such an understanding–is our best hope.

On populism, despair, hope, and science

What the narrator knows; what the reader knows

skzb — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:19:22 +0000

I had a friend email me with a cool question: How do you let the reader in on something the first person protagonist doesn’t?

I know it’s tricky, and I know it can be done, and I know it’s a rush when you pull it off. My answer involved set-up: You establish the character as someone who is liable to miss drawing the correct conclusion when certain types of facts are in front of him, then you can have him report on things from which the reader will draw the correct conclusion, but the protagonist won’t. For example, he might reminisce about a time a certain woman was attracted to him, and talk about the way she communicated it, and then say that he didn’t realize that until much later. Now you can have his current lover drop clues that she is on the edge of breaking up with him, and the reader will believe that he doesn’t see it. If you do it well enough, that is: it’s all about walking the line between, on the one hand, making the clues so subtle the reader doesn’t catch on, and, on the other, making the clues so obvious the reader won’t believe the protagonist doesn’t get it.

Anyway, I thought it was an interesting question, and worth throwing out to the Smart People who hang out here to see what other answers emerge.

What the narrator knows; what the reader knows

A question for US history buffs

skzb — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:34:13 +0000

What, where, and when is the greatest massacre of US citizens by the US military? For this purpose, Indians were not considered citizens before 1924 (the Snyder act), nor were Confederates during the recent unpleasantness between the states. Copyright 2008 The Dream Cafe. A question for US history buffs ©2012 Words Words Words. All Rights Reserved..

A question for US history buffs

Technology that has been done right–barely

skzb — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 22:25:26 +0000

This is a tricky one. I’m looking for some technology from any time in the last 20 years or so with the following characteristics:

1. It is ubiqutous.

2. It was done right–ie, it’s a good thing they did it THAT way instead of some other way.

3. It is either true or believable that it COULD have been done some other way that wouldn’t be as good.

For example, the 26-key pad on the I-phone makes life better than if everyone had to triple-tap. Unfortunately, that fails #3.

Any and all suggestions welcome. Thanks!

Technology that has been done right–barely

LibreOffice Writer Help?

skzb — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 10:51:22 +0000

Anyone out there good with LibreOffice Writer? The process of trying to describe the problem is liable to be long and painful, as I lack the vocabulary and the symptoms are a bit involved. If there’s anyone who is familiar enough with the beast to help me start the process, I’d appreciate it. It’s slowing my work down, and that annoys me.

LibreOffice Writer Help?

Any Greek linguists out there?

skzb — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 20:55:13 +0000

I’m looking for ancient Greek for “those who forget.” Anyone know, or know someone I can ask? Copyright 2008 The Dream Cafe. Any Greek linguists out there? ©2012 Words Words Words. All Rights Reserved..

Any Greek linguists out there?

Help. I can’t remember my own work.

skzb — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 21:13:20 +0000

I”ve just written a scene for my current project in which my viewpoint character goes on a rant about being at peace with one’s self, expressing disdain for the concept. I finished it, looked at it, and said, “Wait. I’ve written this already.” Was that my imagination, or did I actually write that scene? If so, where? I should look it over to see if this one is different enough, or if I should just scrag it. If someone more familiar with my work than I am can tell me, I’d appreciate it. Thanks.

Help. I can’t remember my own work.