Steveawiggins

LATEST ARTICLES ( 4650 )

• Internet of Nothings

  

  In the vast internet of things, it’s surprising that you can’t order some specific things.  This became clear to me recently when there were two separate... Read more

  Posted on 28 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Dutch Treat

  

  It was back when I was researching my first religion and horror paper that I learned it. Since the paper was about Sleepy Hollow, I’d been reading about... Read more

  Posted on 27 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Ravens and Teachers

  

  Humans, it is claimed, have a theory of mind.  What this means is that we know what others are thinking, or better, at least we can anticipate what they might b... Read more

  Posted on 26 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Stand with Women

  

  We like to think we’re the most advanced civilization in the world, but we allow the appointment of “justices” who still believe women are inferior to men. Read more

  Posted on 25 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Following Instinct

  

  An article from the Christian Science Monitor a few years back made me think how common knowledge runs ahead of science, but without the rigorous evidence. Read more

  Posted on 24 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Paperback Nightmares

  

  I’m not assertive.  My voice is not loud and even when I have strong opinions I like to let others have their say.  Those of us who’ve been beaten down too... Read more

  Posted on 23 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Redacted

  

  A friend recently introduced me to Redactle.  Yet another of those daily internet games that have become trendy in these pandemic years, Redactle gives you a... Read more

  Posted on 22 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Solstice Thoughts

  

  At the equator, the difference is nil.  The longest day and the shortest day don’t deviate from the standard day length.  The further you move from the... Read more

  Posted on 21 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Devils and Days

  

  The kind of devil envisioned by Andrew Michael Hurley in Devil’s Day may not be the traditional one, but it’s scary nevertheless. Read more

  Posted on 20 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Celebrate Juneteenth

  

  It’s everywhere you look.  Prison statistics.  Poverty statistics.  Gun violence statistics.  We gave lip service to ending slavery but never really made our... Read more

  Posted on 19 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Thanking Teachers

  

  Those who know me personally are often surprised to hear that my high school gym teacher was one of the most influential people in my life.  It is true. Read more

  Posted on 18 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Godic

  

  I have tried, in my halting way, to articulate what religion has to do with horror. Alison Milbank is more experienced than I and it shows in her book God and... Read more

  Posted on 17 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Bright Idea

  

  No, I didn’t see a long tunnel with a light at the end, but I did have soot on my hands from the flash.  I’m no electrician and the ordering instructions weren’... Read more

  Posted on 16 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Old Ghosts

  

  As someone who reads about ghost stories, as well as ghost stories themselves, I’ve long been aware of M. R. James. His Ghost Stories of an Antiquary is regarde... Read more

  Posted on 15 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Souls, All

  

  What is a soul?  Can you lose your job for believing in one?  Well, maybe not lose your job, but be placed on paid leave.  Yesterday’s New York Times ran a stor... Read more

  Posted on 14 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Updating Irving

  

  Movie quality is measured by many standards. It’s pretty clear that budgets can make a difference—Hollywood movies generally outshine television movies. Read more

  Posted on 13 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Fragmented

  

  The existentialists, remember, used to put scenes in their plays to remind you that you were indeed watching a play.  In keeping with their philosophy, there wa... Read more

  Posted on 12 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Free Reality

  

  One thing movies can do especially well is to make you question reality. Early on this was more or less literally true as people couldn’t believe what they... Read more

  Posted on 11 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Paper Not Paper

  

  I’m sure other people have this problem.  I read hardback books with the dust jacket off.  Lest anyone accuse me of being consistent, my wife reminds me that I... Read more

  Posted on 10 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY

• Whiggery

  

  It’s difficult to keep track sometimes.  You see, I’m reading a book that makes frequent reference to the Whigs.  The thing about titles is they change meaning... Read more

  Posted on 09 June 2022 POLITICS, RELIGION, SOCIETY