Blog | steelsnowflake

A Reflection on Deep Reading in the Age of Pancake People

Paul D. Wilke

4 days ago

A Reflection on Deep Reading in the Age of Pancake People

We're losing our ability to sit down, slow down, and focus on a book. So what? Why does this matter? I'll tell you why.

32 views

Freedom, the Illusion of Freedom, and Soul-Killing Conformity

Paul D. Wilke

Oct 16

Freedom, the Illusion of Freedom, and Soul-Killing Conformity

Don't confuse freedom to consume with actual freedom to think for yourself. There's a difference. Then again, maybe it's better this way.

37 views

Beware the Noonday Demon: The Dark Side of Early Christianity

Paul D. Wilke

Oct 15

Beware the Noonday Demon: The Dark Side of Early Christianity

The Noonday Demon haunted early Christian monks. Who was this demon? The answer is both amusing and depressing.

97 views

Tolstoy's Depression and the Limits of Reason

Paul D. Wilke

Oct 3

Tolstoy's Depression and the Limits of Reason

Tolstoy felt life lacked meaning without God. Yet reason argued against the idea of God. Tolstoy compromised between faith and reason.

75 views

Paul D. Wilke

Oct 1

My Little Manifesto on Hobbies

if you don't carve out time for yourself to engage in a hobby, and one that's just for you alone, you'll risk eventually losing that self.

96 views

Pascal's Terror: Should We Fear the Eternal Silence of the Infinite Spaces?

Paul D. Wilke

Sep 26

Pascal's Terror: Should We Fear the Eternal Silence of the Infinite Spaces?

Pascal was wrong to fear the eternal silence of these infinite spaces. A godless existence is still one full of mystery and wonder.

105 views

American Democracy and the Myth of Progress

Paul D. Wilke

Sep 16

American Democracy and the Myth of Progress

For Mencken, the common man was more Homer Simpson or Peter Griffith than anything resembling the idea of a thoughtful and engaged citizen.

72 views

Paul D. Wilke

Sep 12

Is the Marketplace of Ideas a Myth?

The marketplace of ideas is not functioning well in an era of fake news and conspiracy. Why is this and what should we do about it?

34 views

Why did the Eastern Roman Empire Survive?

Paul D. Wilke

Sep 7

Why did the Eastern Roman Empire Survive?

The Eastern Roman Empire survived thanks to its geography and a well-defended capital, Constantinople. The Western Romans had neither.

35 views

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SteelSnowflake.org

A Blog Devoted to the Humanities

A Reflection on Deep Reading in the Age of Pancake People

Freedom, the Illusion of Freedom, and Soul-Killing Conformity

Beware the Noonday Demon: The Dark Side of Early Christianity

Tolstoy's Depression and the Limits of Reason

My Little Manifesto on Hobbies

Pascal's Terror: Should We Fear the Eternal Silence of the Infinite Spaces?

American Democracy and the Myth of Progress

Is the Marketplace of Ideas a Myth?

Why did the Eastern Roman Empire Survive?