What is the Trickster Archetype “The trickster likes few things better than tweaking the nose of the doubters. They exist in the liminal space beyond proof, crossing boundaries at a whim, promising hidden knowledge they will never share.” ― Thomm Quackenbush, The Curious Case of the Talking Mongoose The trickster is a universal archetype found in mythologies and stories across the world. From Loki in Norse mythology to Coyote in Native American tales, Anansi in West African folklore, and Hermes in Greek myths,...

Who was Walter Benjamin Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) was a highly influential German-Jewish philosopher, cultural critic, and essayist whose groundbreaking ideas left a profound impact on 20th century thought and continue to shape intellectual discourse today. Associated with the Frankfurt School of critical theory, Benjamin was a pioneering thinker who explored a wide range of subjects including art, literature, history, politics, and technology. His incisive analyses of modernity, mass culture, and aesthetics...

Who was Theodor Adorno Theodor W. Adorno, a seminal thinker of the Frankfurt School, developed a profound critique of modern society that continues to resonate with those seeking to understand the complexities of the human psyche and the societal forces that shape it. As a philosopher, sociologist, and cultural critic, Adorno's work delved into the intricate relationship between the individual and society, illuminating how the structures and ideologies of modern life can hinder the development of authentic...

Denial and Avoidance as the Root of all Evil In the HBO miniseries "Chernobyl," there is a poignant scene where a character repeatedly asserts that RBMK reactors cannot explode, despite the fact that the reactor has indeed exploded due to a design flaw that the Soviet Union is unwilling to acknowledge. This scene serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of denial and the refusal to accept reality, even in the face of overwhelming evidence. The Chernobyl disaster is a harrowing example of how the consequences...

Who or What is Adam Curtis?   Journalist or Artist? Adam Curtis is a renowned British documentary filmmaker. His films, which often resemble thesis-less art films, delve deep into complex societal, political, and historical issues. Despite the artistic nature of his work, Curtis maintains that he is a journalist, not an artist. Adam Curtis's documentaries are renowned for their distinct style, which creates a mesmerizing and thought-provoking experience for the viewer. His films are characterized by a...

Exploring the Link Between Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and the Behaviors of Mystics and Cult Leaders Throughout history, many influential mystics, prophets, preachers, and cult leaders have displayed a distinct set of personality traits and behaviors, including an intense preoccupation with religion, morality, and purity; hypergraphia (compulsive writing); abnormal sexual behavior; and a strong fixation on the body and food. Intriguingly, neuroscientists have identified a form of epilepsy called temporal lobe epilepsy...