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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 21, 202415 min read
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.
Paul D. Wilke
Nov 6, 20246 min read
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, 202419 min read
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, 202419 min read
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, 202429 min read
The Logic of Kamikaze: Japan's Desperate Strategy in World War II
Why did the Japanese resort to kamikaze tactics? I look at the reasons.
Paul D. Wilke
Jun 19, 202424 min read
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, 202422 min read
Twisted Visions: The Life and Art of Alfred Kubin
A look at Alfred Kubin's troubled life, disturbing art, and his quest for meaning.
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