Published in Politically Speaking·PinnedMember-onlyDracula and the Cultural Concept of Monster Lore Grow into Modern-Day Story TellingFear is a dominant political tool used to influence and manipulate society — Scary stories are more than a series of books to tell in the dark. They cultivate a generation obsessed with horror. I was first introduced to them at a young age, and my imagination was always going. Growing up in Israel, we often congregated around a roaring fire, sat in…Culture5 min readCulture5 min read
Published in Politically Speaking·PinnedMember-onlyThe Dark Psychology of DehumanizationA psychological process of demonizing the enemy, making them seem less than human and not worthy — Dehumanization makes slavery, torture, and human trafficking possible. It has fueled countless acts of violence, human rights violations, war crimes, and genocides with ingredients that contain power, prejudice, irrational fears, and cognitive dissonance. Such elements remove the moral barrier against cruelty, and systemic discrimination, enabling them to arise. …News5 min readNews5 min read
Published in Politically Speaking·Mar 16Member-onlyCancel Culture — Shakespeare Under AttackRich language. Complex characters. Themes that still echo today — love, betrayal, honor, bravery, and political intrigue — George Orwell, in 1984, predicts that by 2050 but perhaps even earlier, “all the literature of the past will have been destroyed: Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Byron… transformed into something opposite to what they were before.” There is a growing “cancel culture” movement in the U.S. that is sure to spread…Politics5 min readPolitics5 min read
Published in Publishing Well·Mar 13Member-onlyDevelop An Understanding of Who You Are as a WriterFinding your writing voice can help you reach new levels as a unique, singular author — Every writer offers a distinct voice to their work. It has its unique rhythm, pace, and sense of detail. Voice is how you project yourself artistically — how you see life and use language. But most writers struggle to unearth their voice because to speak from your voice means confronting…Writing7 min readWriting7 min read
Mar 5Member-onlyWhat We Need to Know About Character ArcA character arc is an important tool for adding an emotional layer to a story — Narratives infuse all facets of human life. We tell stories to teach cultural standards, amuse, to help create collective perspectives. We structure stories to make meaning out of past events and to create new realms and possibilities for ourselves and others. …Writing5 min readWriting5 min read
Published in An Idea (by Ingenious Piece)·Feb 11Member-onlyPoetry, The Unbroken Thread of LanguageFrom its early stages, poetry and poets heavily influenced philosophy’s linguistics, concepts, and imaginative growth. — A degree in English literature taught me that each age produces its kind of language, giving us three types of verbal expression, one of which is the poetic use of language. But in the age of “me-first” contemporary liberalism,’ the wisdom that some of the greatest minds across the centuries…Poetry4 min readPoetry4 min read
Published in ILLUMINATION·Feb 2Member-onlyThe Last Time You Laughed Hard, Your Stomach HurtSome diseases may be transmissible, but none is as infectious as the cure of laughter — In movies, the music changes when something interesting is about to happen; it gets faster or softer, and there might be a drum roll. In real life, the soundtrack is often silenced. But for comedians, it’s entirely different. They rely on words and body language designed to make us laugh. …Comedy5 min readComedy5 min read
Published in Change Your Mind Change Your Life·Jan 17Member-onlyWe Heal Ourselves and Others by Fictionalizing Our Pain, Expressing It, and Overcoming It in Our StoriesHuman beings have two core needs: to be seen and heard, which allows us to express our authentic selves — As in real life, modern heroes are complex characters with flaws and problems to which all of us can relate. In stories, the heroes typically don’t go on a physical quest; their quest is more internal. …Fiction5 min readFiction5 min read
Published in Politically Speaking·Jan 10Member-onlyWhat Kind Of Person Do You Need to Be To Fabricate a History of Lies?Lies are dangerous; missing them is like ignoring the warning sign about a cyclone ahead — Lately, we’ve heard a great deal about the newly elected Long Island Republican George Santos (R-N.Y.), who faces numerous investigations about fabricating critical details of his personal and professional life. But he is not the first candidate running for office charged with lying. …Politics6 min readPolitics6 min read
Published in Politically Speaking·Dec 29, 2022Member-onlyHow to Make the World Better When Criminals Run Amok. Or Can We?Crime is complicated, and attempting to isolate a single factor to explain crime trends, would be a mistake — After a long drop, violent crime in America is soaring again. The other day, a friend asked me if I was afraid to walk the streets of Manhattan at night. Surprised by the question, I didn’t know how to answer. Because I never thought about it before. …Politics7 min readPolitics7 min read
