Blog | steelsnowflake

4 days ago
27 min

Downfall: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and the Sad Aftermath

What happened during Oscar Wilde's three trials? Why was he convicted of gross indecency? And what happened to him in prison and after.

5 views

An Introduction to German Artist August Macke

Paul D. Wilke

Dec 31, 2020
9 min

An Introduction to German Artist August Macke

Who was German painter August Macke (1887-1914) and how can we best define his style of art?

35 views

Paul D. Wilke

Dec 24, 2020
6 min

Electric Blanket People

Is the comfort derived from an electric blanket bad? My Dinner With Andre's two characters Andre and Wally discuss the nature of comfort.

58 views

Paul D. Wilke

Dec 16, 2020
9 min

Grounded Thinking in a Crazy World

Some simple guidelines to keep thought grounded in reality. Focus on humility, doubt, openness, and a healthy dose of self-reflection

42 views

The Life and Times of the Roman Usurper Constantine III (AD 407-411)

Paul D. Wilke

Dec 15, 2020
14 min

The Life and Times of the Roman Usurper Constantine III (AD 407-411)

A look at the Roman usurper Constantine III's rise and fall from power between AD 407-411. Here began the fall of the Western Roman Empire.

23 views

Assessing Marshal Pétain and Vichy France

Paul D. Wilke

Nov 18, 2020
15 min

Assessing Marshal Pétain and Vichy France

An assessment of Vichy France and its leader, Marshal Philippe Pétain. Can his reputation be rehabilitated? No, probably not. Heres why.

31 views

Elie Wiesel's Night and the Question of Evil

Paul D. Wilke

Nov 11, 2020
4 min

Elie Wiesel's Night and the Question of Evil

Elie Wiesel's experience in the Holocaust shook his faith. What about that? How do we answer the question of evil when faced with genocide.

29 views

Paul D. Wilke

Nov 7, 2020
9 min

Ten Underappreciated Van Gogh Paintings

Ten underrated paintings by Van Gogh you may have missed. The list could be longer given the amazing variety of his art. But start here.

97 views

Tolstoy's Depression and the Limits of Reason

Paul D. Wilke

Oct 28, 2020
12 min

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.

105 views

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All Posts (72)
Philosophy (21)
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Science (4)
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SteelSnowflake.org

Essays on history, philosophy, art, literature, society, and more

by Paul Wilke

Downfall: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde and the Sad Aftermath

An Introduction to German Artist August Macke

Electric Blanket People

Grounded Thinking in a Crazy World

The Life and Times of the Roman Usurper Constantine III (AD 407-411)

Assessing Marshal Pétain and Vichy France

Elie Wiesel's Night and the Question of Evil

Ten Underappreciated Van Gogh Paintings

Tolstoy's Depression and the Limits of Reason