Mystic Olive's Musings: Laughter

My Blog List

SFWA

How Patreon Can Structure Your Writing Life - by Joyce Reynolds-Ward. You can break each project into segments on Patreon. Instead of jamming them all together on one site, each project receives its ...
3 hours ago
Red Letter Christians

The Odyssey and Caring for the Stranger - Christopher Nolan’s long-anticipated adaptation of the Greek epic The Odyssey has finally released to the public, quickly becoming one of his most successf...
10 hours ago
Progressive Geographies

Charles Lincoln, Gods, Judges and Presidents: Trifunctional Archetypes in American Law and Government – Bloomsbury, August 2026 - Charles Lincoln, Gods, Judges and Presidents: Trifunctional Archetypes in American Law and Government – Bloomsbury, August 2026 Charles Lincoln interprets ...
13 hours ago
Whatever

Why My Father Is Wrong: A Defense Of Guitar Hero - My father recently wrote a piece detailing some of his thoughts on AI, and in doing so he compared using generative AI to playing Guitar Hero. I shall not ...
19 hours ago
Foucault News

Kampanart “Menn” Chaiyarat, Democratic citizenship education under constraint: a critical phenomenological study of teacher agency and everyday resistance (2026) - Kampanart “Menn” Chaiyarat (2026). Democratic citizenship education under constraint: a critical phenomenological study of teacher agency and everyday resi...
1 day ago
Speculative Fiction in Translation

Essay: World SF and/or SF in Translation - This has been on my mind a lot. I would assume that most readers lump “world SF” and “SF in translation” together, but we all know what they say about assu...
1 day ago
Some Melodious Plot

A Knot is a Knot is a Knot - Francisco de Zurbarán at the National Gallery (III) - If Saint Casilda’s outfit causes you to gaze upwards as if you’re taking in a show on a catwalk, Zurbaran’s two paintings of Saint Francis of Assisi i...
1 day ago
Left Foot Forward

Journalists tear apart Reform’s bizarre prison plan - Nigel Farage was probed on the cost of his plan and whether it’s ‘a serious workable policy’ The post Journalists tear apart Reform’s bizarre prison plan...
1 day ago
She Reads Novels

Troubled Waters by Ichiyō Higuchi – #WITMonth - Translated by Bryan Karetnyk August is Women in Translation Month and I’ve chosen to start with a collection of short stories by an author often described ...
1 day ago
Brittle Paper

Whose People Are You? | Chaya Seewoonarain | Creative Non-Fiction - “So where are your people from?” It’s usually the third or fourth question, after the perfunctory small talk. It’s never been the first question. By then...
1 day ago
Jungle Red Writers

Books On The Path to Extinction? - * Did you enter the JUNGLE RED GIVEAWAY? Winner announced below!* HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: It’s topical not only because the trade paperback of ALL THIS ...
1 day ago
Blogs - alBatt

Caw and disorder - *Naturally* There was a cacophony of crows—caw and disorder—after they had discovered the daytime roost of an owl. They performed the corvid opera with e...
2 days ago
USAPP

Saving the planet in an age of geopolitical rivalry – LSE Phelan US Centre Event Review - In June 2026, the Phelan US Centre hosted the event, “Saving the planet in an age of geopolitical rivalry” with a panel of experts as part of 2026 LSE Fe...
2 days ago
JacquiWine's Journal

Love in a Fallen City by Eileen Chang (tr. Karen S. Kingsbury and Eileen Chang) - Last year, I wrote about Jasmine Tea and other stories/novellas by Eileen Chang, one of the greatest chroniclers of Chinese life in the 20th century. In th...
2 days ago
Craig Murray

A Tide in the Affairs of Men - Between ten and five years ago, specifically in the light of Brexit, it was not in the least unusual for Scottish Independence supporters to discuss a de...
3 days ago
thejoyofcats

The Case Of The Sinking Ship: Part I - Sometimes, you have to laugh at the idiots. Continue reading →
4 days ago
Ms. Magazine

‘To Be Forgotten Is to Die Twice’: The Fight to Protect the Graves at Ireland’s Bessborough Mother and Baby Home - Survivors and advocates in Ireland are fighting to stop the construction of luxury apartments on the grounds of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby In...
4 days ago
new releases – Tor.com

All the New SFF Crossover Books Arriving in August 2026 - This August, find romance via time travel, don't die before you turn thirty-three, and survive a video game turned real… The post All the New SFF Crossov...
5 days ago
LSE International History

Criminality, Confidence, and Corruption in the Gilded Age: An Interview with Frank W. Garmon Jr. - Frank W. Garmon Jr. is an Associate Professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University. His first book, A Wonderful Career in Crime, offers ...
5 days ago
Punk-Ass Book Jockey

Bookmail – August 3 2026 - Happy bookmail day! Here are some of the young adult and middle grade fiction books that came in recently. Middle Grade Adia Kelbara and the Dark Between b...
1 week ago
Graham Scambler

A Poem on Genocide - Zionism in Action Let’s call it out for what it is, this wilful destruction of all things Palestinian, this all-consuming genocide, this visiting of deat...
1 week ago
Amal El-Mohtar

Carry On to Wayward Suns - Dear Friends, Happy August, Merry Lammas. I'm writing this from a moving car journeying up the length of Vancouver Island, cutting it a bit fine before ...
1 week ago
GigaNotoSaurus

Four Sparrows - It took Corey Liao seven days to wrench herself free from her body. The skeins of fascia and sinew lashing soul to body had been stubborn. She’d painstak...
1 week ago
Mike Hulme

My 2014 ‘Climate Book of the Year’ - Candis Callison, ‘How Climate Change Comes to Matter: The Communal Life of Facts’ (Durham, NC: Duke University Press. 316pp.) 1 August 2026. This is roughl...
1 week ago
RD2018 - blog(2019)

What An MCP Actually Does With Research Content (& What It Doesn't) - [image: What An MCP Actually Does With Research Content (& What It Doesn't)] Researchers are already asking AI assistants for help with literature revie...
1 week ago
Political Theory - Habermas and Rawls

Reviews of Habermas's "Also a History of Philosophy" - Reviews of Jürgen Habermas's "*Also a History of Philosophy*", Volume I-III (Polity Press): * Andrew Buchwalter - "Also a History of Philosophy, Vol: III...
2 weeks ago
The Trott Line

No One Truly Knows His Own Begetting: Nolan’s Odyssey - οὐ γάρ πώ τις ἑὸν γόνον αὐτὸς ἀνέγνω. No one truly knows his own begetting. – Homer, The Odyssey I.215 I begin my last book with this epigraph, which Telem...
2 weeks ago
LSE History

Women and environmental activism: the National Federation of Women’s Institutes - Did you presume environmental activism began with Greenpeace in the 1970s? Grace Parker thought the same, until working on a women’s grassroots and envir...
2 weeks ago
Tobias S. Buckell: Author, Speaker, and Futurist

Six months of using a Svalboard keyboard - About six months ago I blogged about my Christmas gift to myself: a Svalboard keyboard. It’s a very non-standard design, very science-fictional looking. I ...
3 weeks ago
Zooniverse

One BILLION Classifications! - We are SO happy to announce that Zooniverse has reached an extraordinary milestone: 1 BILLION classifications contributed by volunteers! To give you a sens...
1 month ago
Nnedi's Wahala Zone Blog

Gifts from an Ancient Sea 🐚 - While in Mexico, I was crossing my hotel’s unpaved parking lot by the ocean when I looked down and spotted something in the dirt that was nearly a million ...
1 month ago
Researching Sociology @ LSE

What does it mean to be hopeful for our generation? - In this personal commentary on Adrian Scribano’s Sociology of Hope, Nicolás Arenas explores the ways that hopefulness functions, conceptually and in prac...
1 month ago
FIYAH

FIYAH 39: Black Kishōtenketsu Cover Reveal + TOC - FIYAH Literary Magazine is thrilled to present the Table of Contents for Issue # 39: Black Kishōtenketsu. Cover art illustrated by Anjoladave. Stories incl...
1 month ago
Radio Free Thulcandra

A Case Against Christian Doomerism - The world is nowhere near as uniquely bad as you think it is.
1 month ago
Commonplaces

The Sure Way of Edith Stein - The greatest figures of prophecy and sanctity step forth out of the darkest night.
1 month ago
Epiphany 2.0

Text of my Grand Master speech - Hi, all. It’s been a while since I updated this blog! Figured now was a good time, since I just became SFWA’s newest Grand Master! I got an award for it ...
2 months ago
my blog - Shannon Dingle

Join me at Substack! - I started a Substack blog where you can support my writing. All posts are free, but paid subscribers make writing something I can use to support my famil...
2 months ago
Tor/Forge Blog

Our Cut of Salt Nightfire Sweepstakes Rules - OFFICIAL RULES NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES, ...
3 months ago
Ed Cyzewski: Author // Contemplative

Can We Offer Alternatives to Anger and Despair That Meet Our Current Moment? - To even write about the current crisis in America seems to require saying something that proves or identifies the crisis for those not yet convinced we are...
4 months ago
The Disorder Of Things

Call for Participation: Women, Peace and Security Research Network UK - Date: Tuesday 19 May 2026 Venue: Queen Mary University of London Format: A one-day event with 20-25 participants The Women, Peace and Security (WPS) UK Res...
6 months ago
New Historical Express

In Solidarity, Under Suspicion: The British Far Left from 1956 is out now - I am excited to announce that the hardback edition of our edited volume, In Solidarity, Under Suspicion: The British Far Left from 1956 has been published ...
8 months ago
Pandaemonium

OPERA, ELITISM AND THE WORKING CLASS - This is the opening to my essay on the forgotten relationship between opera and the working class, published in the Observer on 12 October 2025. You can re...
9 months ago
Everyday Sociology Blog

Social Exercise and Healthy Aging - By Karen Sternheimer According to a recently published study of older adults at risk for cognitive decline, increased social engagement was one of four fac...
10 months ago
Masha

Get your writing unstuck - A talk I recorded for Write Your Own Way that covers how to use effective self-regulation techniques and how to identify and address the root causes of you...
1 year ago
Climate Denial Crock of the Week

Is Resistance Futile? MAGA Assimilates NOAA - New Scientist (paywall): The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) presents a briefing summarising the global climate each month – and ...
1 year ago
The Book Jotter

Parish Notices - Happy New Year to all my readers. After what has probably been a couple of years of mentioning where I was with this blog and how I have probably for the l...
1 year ago
globalinequality

To be young, perchance to dream - *He got to the river quay, or more exactly to the sidewalk on the other side of the paved road running along the river, in the late morning. Too many ...
1 year ago
Michael Mann's Blog

Reflections on the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season - [image: Hurricane Milton] Tuesday, November 26, 2024 - 12:28 Now that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season seems to be coming to a close, it is worth reflect...
1 year ago
A Cat, A Book, and A Cup of Tea

A Thank You and A Goodbye - You may have noticed, from the fact that I’ve only managed six posts this year, that I’m not really able to keep up with this blog anymore! I always suspec...
1 year ago
heavenali

Tales from my reading chair – an update. - I disappeared again – I’m sorry. I’m trying to decide whether I’m done with this whole blogging malarky – there are aspects I miss – but I get overwhelmed...
1 year ago
Margaret and Helen

JD Vance thinks bullet proof glass will abortion proof our vaginas - Margaret, that little Vance kid just doesn’t get it. When asked about abortion rights he said, “I want us to make it easier for moms to afford to have babi...
1 year ago
CORRUPTION, NOW AND THEN. A blog by Professor Mark Knights, reflecting on historical and current corruption scandals

Political Bets by Mark Knights - One of the issues that has cut through in the 2024 general election has been the scandal over political bets. A number of Tories associated with Number 1...
2 years ago
Engenderings

Colonial Cisnationalism: Notes on Empire and Gender in the UK’s Migration Policy - by Christopher Griffin Anti-immigration rhetoric is a notoriously reliable fixture of British politics, with Conservative politicians regularly turning to ...
2 years ago
Decolonize ALL The Things

Issues of Power, Not Bathrooms - ***Note: Originally published on EFH in 2017*** INTRODUCTION On February 22nd, 2017 Agent Orange’s administration revoked the transgender protection guidel...
2 years ago
Versobooks.com

A Guide to our April Titles - *A new collection of stories from the cult author of Terminal Boredom.* *The revolutionary life of an eighteenth-century dwarf activist who was among the...
3 years ago
An Africanist Perspective

The Africanist Perspective has moved! - Dear readers, I am blogging again! This time on Substack. Go over and subscribe to receive new posts every week! Thank you for reading this blog over the y...
3 years ago
Worlds in Ink - Sci-Fi and Fantasy Book Reviews

Science Fiction Invaders Challenge: The Final Results - The final results for the Science Fiction Invaders reading challenge are in. I've tallied all the points from participants who submitted their scores to be...
3 years ago
(dev) Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie - Events

Notice To The General People - It has come to our attention that an article “Reflections on the man Nnamdi Kanu” is being falsely attributed to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Kindly note th...
4 years ago
The Book Smugglers

Non-Binary Authors To Read: July 2021 - Non-Binary Authors To Read is a regular column from A.C. Wise highlighting non-binary authors of speculative fiction and recommending a starting place fo...
5 years ago
LSE BREXIT

Brexit is a political Ponzi scheme - It is increasingly clear that Brexit has cost not saved money, encumbered not liberated trade, inhibited not enhanced our sovereignty, and threatens to b...
5 years ago
Nathan Hamm

the voice - There is a voice in your head that never stops speaking. Its constant chatter is an incessant stream of worries and anxieties, cravings and desires, judgm...
5 years ago
Writer Beware®: The Blog

Spooky Phishing Scam Targets Traditionally-Published Writers - *Posted by Victoria Strauss for Writer Beware®* The *New York Times* has published the story of a strange international phishing scam: unknown actors ta...
5 years ago
variegatedtyro

Childhood friends - The protests rage. The people walk. The voices shout. but justice is NOT Systems uphold all that hurts and kills persons of color Color Color Color I ...
6 years ago
The B&N Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog

10 Things You Might Not Know About Frank Herbert’s Dune - Dune may be one of the best-known, most-read science fiction novels of all time, but it was hardly an overnight success. Publishers rejected it, critics ...
6 years ago
My ❤️ will go on

Slavoj Žižek on Synthetic Sex and "Being Yourself" - *SEE ALSO:* - *Slavoj Žižek: Why Be Happy When You Could Be Interesting?* - *Slavoj Žižek: Don't Act. Just Think.* - *Žižek’s 10 Favorite ...
6 years ago
Stats for Lefties

Why Long-Bailey is the most electable leadership candidate - *This article was made possible by our Patreon supporters! Special thanks in particular go to our amazing $5 supporters: Alan Spence, Alex Wilson, Bert Rot...
6 years ago
Shimmer

Kerstin Hall talks Borders - It’s the time of year when badgers and people make lists! Shopping lists, Naughty or Nice Lists and lists of books we loved. The Border Keeper by Kerstin...
6 years ago
Shakesville

Open Thread - [image: image of a purple sofa] Hosted by a purple sofa. Have a seat and chat. [*Note:* Liss is currently on hiatus for health reasons. There will be an Op...
6 years ago
Shadows of the Apt

Worldcon Dublin — full schedule! - So I've had my final schedule through for Worldcon in Dublin next month — anyone who's there please do come along to see me at any or all of the following:...
7 years ago
History Matters blog

Proudly South African: ESSA, DULLAH, AND US (Zubieda Jaffer) by By Dr Allan Boesak, 7 July 2019 - 8 July 2019 Honourable Judge Siraj Desai and the Board of the District Six Museum, Family of Essa and Dullah, Friends, Brothers and Sisters: What a privi...
7 years ago
Africanfootsteps

Outposts of Empire - Without putting so much thinking into it, I just remember telling my husband-to-be that Sri Lanka would be the perfect choice for our honeymoon. It had bee...
7 years ago
Comments on: Home

By: AfCFTA Is A Magic Pill, But Africa Still Moving Too Slowly Towards A Single Market - […] -Originally published on Africa at LSE. […]
7 years ago
Jo Walton — Science Fiction and Fantasy Author

Genre Pacing: A question from Goodreads - On Goodreads, a nice person called Xena WP asked me Jo, after finishing Transcription by K. Atkinson I wished for a few paragraphs at least of Juliet’s hap...
7 years ago
The Official Blog of Benjamin L. Corey

What 30 Pieces of Silver Can Buy In Today’s Money - What's 30 pieces of silver worth in today's money? We can look to conservative evangelical leaders to find our answer.
7 years ago
New Ink Review

Three Poems: Andrew Reiff - Stigmata Up so many times from death I disbelieve she stands, blood dripping from the sightless eye, Heaving and breathing yes, But no cries in the plain o...
7 years ago
The Story Teller

Spectacular sports - So I designed this poster for Jessica's class and Mr G really likes it. So much that he put it up on the door of his classroom yesterday. Jessica came h...
8 years ago
Red Light Politics

"Mainstream media is currently riding high on the trend of equating anti fascism to neo nazism. There..." - “Mainstream media is currently riding high on the trend of equating anti fascism to neo nazism. There is a plethora of “Both side” arguments, claims of vio...
8 years ago
Green Man Press

Foreign travels - In mid July Karen and I headed off for two weeks in Sweden and Finland. I’d been invited to be a GoH at FinnCon in Tampere Finland over the last ... Read ...
11 years ago
Rachel Ann Hanley

J.M. SIDOROVA - Interview with J.M. SIDOROVA *J.M. Sidorova is the author of science fiction and fantasy short stories and a novel THE AGE OF ICE (Scribner/Simon & Schus...
11 years ago

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Mystic Olive's Musings

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Dave Allen on Religion

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