Paul D. Wilke
Ovid’s Metamorphoses and the Myrrha Incest Myth
The three magi brought Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But what is myrrh? And what is the ancient incest myth behind it? I take a look.
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Welcome to SteelSnowflake.org
A blog of long-form essays on history, philosophy, art, literature, society, and more
by Paul Wilke
Paul D. Wilke
Nov 6
The Paradox of Progress: Mencken on Democracy
For Mencken, the common man was more Homer Simpson or Peter Griffith than anything resembling the idea of a thoughtful and engaged citizen.
Paul D. Wilke
Nov 3
José Ortega y Gasset's "The Revolt of the Masses" a Century Later
A look at Spanish philosopher José Ortega y Gasset's thoughts on how modernity created the mass mind and what that means for us today.
Paul D. Wilke
Oct 19
Cattle Grazing Is Not the Answer to Climate Change
A look at Allan Savory's Holistic Planned Grazing. Can it really solve climate change as he claimed in his TED Talk? Nope. Here's why.
Paul D. Wilke
Sep 30
The Logic of Kamikaze
Why did the Japanese resort to kamikaze tactics? I look at the reasons.
Paul D. Wilke
Jun 19
The Insufferable Saint Simone Weil
Simone Weil really wanted to go to war, to fight fascism, to be the main character, to die a martyr's death. It didn't go as planned.
Paul D. Wilke
Mar 3
Twisted Visions: The Life and Art of Alfred Kubin
A look at Alfred Kubin's troubled life, disturbing art, and his quest for meaning.
Paul D. Wilke
Jan 1
Ferdinand Magellan's Last Days and Totally Embarrassing Death
On Magellan's last days and the mistakes leading to his demise
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