There are those who find looking for patterns in history...patterns of racist white dominance, specifically... unpalatable.  They claim acknowledging that the systemic dehumanization of blacks by whites spawned in the days of slavery continues to permeate our social fabric in many ways, both subtle and overt, perpetuating patterns of social inequity and violence, is unjust; that it punishes the whites of today for the crimes of their ancestors and perpetuates unwarranted anger among blacks and tragic self-hatred among whites. But, it's not about recrimination.  It's about r ..read more

 Happy Thanksgiving, America. That once innocent sentiment has become bitterly controversial as our society has evolved. Traditionally, this occasion celebrates the white man's deceptive friendship with the indigenous population - ending of course in two centuries of imperialism and near genocidal war.  To the 'victors' it is a time of romantic reflection on a first meeting between two cultures.  To the native American, it is a remembrance of sorrow. For all, it is a time to reflect.  So, what have we to be thankful for, as a nation, on this Thanksgiving? This past year, w ..read more

  Ridley Scott's visually striking and highly disquieting new film "The Last Duel" is a based-on-fact drama derived from Eric Jager’s 2004 book, “The Last Duel: A True Story of Trial by Combat in Medieval France,” the historical drama of  France’s last government-sanctioned trial by combat, held between Jean de Carroughes, a celebrated knight and war hero and his friend-turned enemy, Jacques Le Gris, a politically connected and duplicitous court noble.  A bitter and agonizing tale of a loveless marriage and bitter male rivalry, rape, legal and political intrigue and a ..read more

 Time Flowing Backwards... Time in reverse is not something unique to science fiction.  We just saw it happen in the state of Texas.  After nearly half a century of women having the right to control their own bodies, Texas has passed the most restrictive anti-abortion law on record.  Using not law officers to enforce it, but civilians encouraged to file lawsuits against anyone who performs or "aids and abets" an abortion. Now, that's one for science fiction.  Where but in some dystopian future world would one see citizens encouraged...financially rewarded, in fact...to ..read more

 Attention, all Bloggers and Fiction Writers - Doing blogger outreach and want to connect with new influencers in niche markets? Check out FEEDSPOT:   Top 90 Fiction Blogs and Websites To Follow in 2021 -     https://blog.feedspot.com/fiction_blogs/ Feedspot media database has over 100K Influential Bloggers in 1500 niche categories. Email them the type of bloggers you want to reach out to for your marketing campaign and open a world of possibilities... -             -  Author Interviews     - Improve you ..read more

  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/star-dancer-tom-olbert/1137460943   https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1037624#longDescription Fluidic existence...The solid state of reality shifting into the fluid realm of thought, desire, dream... And, nightmare.  Shaped by fear.  And, hate. The foundations of democracy...once thought as solid as bedrock...were recently shaken by an explosion of those who trust more in the unseen.  The claims of unseen conspiracy.  Of election fraud, deep state manipulation and fake news.  Nightmares usually confined to the pa ..read more

  Today, we honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King.  And, of what he represented.  A dream that one day, this nation would celebrate the true meaning of its creed.  That all human beings are created equal, regardless of race, color or creed. There was a time when that dream...noble and profound as it is...would be considered as something akin to science fiction.  Many might still see it as such. But then, that is the true creed of America, is it not?  Not equality at the end of life, perhaps, but certainly at the beginning of it.  "We hold these tr ..read more

 Fans of Good SCIENCE FICTION: Check out these collections of short stories by 2 talented SF writers: SUPERLUMINAL: Sci-Fi at the Speed of Imagination By Justin Sewall https://www.amazon.com/SUPERLUMINAL-Sci-Fi-at-Speed-Imagination/dp/B08NQHB5DL ***************************************** Alien Puzzle Boxes: Twenty short science fiction stories  By Jeremy Lichtman https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RY2VZ9Y                                     &nbs ..read more

In fiction, the story unfolds, chapter by chapter, building towards a conclusion. Life can be like that, too. History unfolds, chapter by chapter, the outcome shaping the future of nations and cultures. We look for patterns in history which shape our beliefs and cultures. The nature of good and evil. Of truth and lies. What we value in life.  The American dream is a young one. One that changed the world, and ushered in a new age of hope. Hope that the people can choose their own path, in effect their own future through democratic rule of law. Is that dream now, once again, in d ..read more

https://www.amazon.com/Dissent-Book-Nexus-Thomas-Olbert-ebook/dp/B01CRCEMQG The demarcation between fact and fiction is expected to be clear. Only in science fiction stories of time travel and parallel universes do different people live in wildly divergent realities, one person's reality diverging from his neighbor's. But, life today is not so simple. What kind of reality is it in which the populace of the most powerful nation on Earth can't agree on who won the last presidential election? In which divergent versions of reality conflict on a daily basis? We have a president who refuses to ack ..read more