essays

These are in reverse chronological order. Scroll down or click here for alphabetical order.

How To Eat Better
3 March 09

Beyond Civilized and Primitive
15 February 08 -- My latest thinking on the critique of civilization and where we might be going.

How To Save Civilization
5 September 07 -- Three words: complexity without growth.

9/11 FAQ
5 September 06 -- For the anniversary, my position on the controversy.

Fall Down Six Times
15 March 06 -- Six different collapse scenarios.

What We Learned From Katrina
16 September 05

The Age of Batshit Crazy Machines
Don't Fear The Singularity
4 July and 3 December 05 -- Long and short versions of a critique of techno-utopian thinking, especially the idea that machines will surpass humans.

Critique of Civilization FAQ
The Critique of Civilization Changes Everything
8/15 April 05 -- Double essay, a full frontal assault on the mythology of civilization.

The Slow Crash
2 February 05 -- One of many attempts to find the middle ground between The Road Warrior and Star Trek.

How to Survive the Crash and Save the Earth
19 December 04

Troubleshooting America
17 September 04 -- The history of the USA in computer metaphors and puns.

Six Lies About Immigration
27 April 04 -- As long as they're coming to equalize wealth and not to cut down trees, they're OK with me!

How to Drop Out
2 April 04 -- The most popular thing I've ever written. Also check out this page of criticism and response.

The Animal in the Dark Tower
9 February 04 -- Basically an update on my thinking about civilization after reading John Livingston's Rogue Primate.

Your Life As Pornography
11 December 03 -- Not everyone gets this, but it's one of my favorites.

Seven Lies About Civilization
24 November 03 -- A nice summary of anti-civ concepts.

Arno-geddon
13 October 03 -- Schwarzenegger and American fascism.

Grand Diversifying Theory
21 August 03 -- Metaphysical/spiritual manifesto, the sequel to "Science the Destroyer".

The Effects of Highly Habitual People
24 June 03 -- One of my best essays, and I waited years for a chance to use that title!

21 Stories About Civilization
3 May 03 -- A personal favorite. The stories are about what civilization means and where it's going.

Who Would Satan Bomb?
5 April 03 -- Interview with Satan during the US invasion of Iraq. This was super-fun to write.

These Colors Run
19 March 03 -- America explained.

Twisted Utopian Visions
27 January 03 -- Some things I might try if I were dictator.

Why do pedophiles get all the attention?
15 January 03

Against Rights
27 November 02

Violence Unraveled
11 November 02 -- What I'm unraveling here is the word.

Science the Destroyer
25 October 02 -- The most hated essay on this page.

Where was Luke Skywalker on September 11?
2 September 02 -- He was blowing up a giant grey monolithic structure symbolizing a universal empire, inspired by a bearded guy in the desert!

The Coming Expansion
29 July 02 -- They usually call it a "depression."

The System Works
13 May 02 -- We're just in denial about its purpose.

The Soul of Progress
19 April 02 -- Not my best essay, but maybe my strongest.

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man Who Saw Tomorrow
21 March 02

Violence vs. Pacifism
7 March 02

Thinking Through the Fall
21 February 02

The Mathematics of Responsibility
7 February 02 -- It adds up to more than 100%.


Presidential Elections
The Fringe for Obama 21 October 08
The Election in Haiku 27 Oct 04
The Anarchist Voters' Guide: Bush vs. Kerry 19 Oct 04
Bush popularity high after baby rape 27 Sept 04
The Gospel of George 14 June 04
Democrats nominate Hitler 18 Feb 04
Bush Saves America 27 June 02

. . .

Thanks to Helen Highwater of Unknown News who got me started on these things in January 2002 by suggesting I write a regular column for their site.

. . .

Alphabetical Order

21 Stories About Civilization 3 May 03
9/11 FAQ 5 September 06
Against Rights 27 November 02
The Age of Batshit Crazy Machines 4 July 05
The Anarchist Voters' Guide: Bush vs. Kerry 19 October 04
The Animal in the Dark Tower 9 February 04
Arno-geddon 13 October 03
Beyond Civilized and Primitive 15 February 08
Bush popularity high after baby rape 27 September 04
Bush Saves America 27 June 02
The Coming Expansion 29 July 02
The Critique of Civilization Changes Everything 15 April 05
Critique of Civilization FAQ 8 April 05
Democrats nominate Hitler 18 February 04
Don't Fear The Singularity 3 December 05
The Effects of Highly Habitual People 24 June 03
The Election in Haiku 27 October 04
Fall Down Six Times 15 March 06
The Fringe for Obama 21 October 08
The Gospel of George 14 June 04
Grand Diversifying Theory 21 August 03
How to Drop Out 2 April 04
How To Eat Better 3 March 09
How To Save Civilization 5 September 07
How to Survive the Crash and Save the Earth 19 December 04
J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man Who Saw Tomorrow 21 March 02
The Mathematics of Responsibility 7 February 02
Science the Destroyer 25 October 02
Seven Lies About Civilization 24 November 03
Six Lies About Immigration 27 April 04
The Slow Crash 2 February 05
The Soul of Progress 19 April 02
The System Works 13 May 02
These Colors Run 19 March 03
Thinking Through the Fall 21 February 02
Troubleshooting America 17 September 04
Twisted Utopian Visions 27 January 03
What We Learned From Katrina 16 September 05
Where was Luke Skywalker on September 11? 2 September 02
Who Would Satan Bomb? 5 April 03
Why do pedophiles get all the attention? 15 January 03
Violence Unraveled 11 November 02
Violence vs. Pacifism 7 March 02
Your Life As Pornography 11 December 03