In historical and fantastical drama, few tropes are as omnipresent as the Great Wall. The Great Wall divides civilizations. Often, inhabitants on one side of the wall… Read more “The Great Wall: Breaking Down The Trope”
Category: Essays
How Historically Accurate is Hearts of Iron IV?
Not many game designers would dare to create a video game that purports to simulate the entirety of World War II, from high politics to economics to… Read more “How Historically Accurate is Hearts of Iron IV?”
What Modern Riots Tell Us About Premodern Warfare
Content Warning: This article contains videos depicting real violence during protests and riots. Despite an abundance of recent books, movies, and video games depicting premodern warfare (that… Read more “What Modern Riots Tell Us About Premodern Warfare”
Science Fiction and Fantasy in Dune
Many of viewers have come away from Dennis Villeneuve’s acclaimed adaptation of Dune with the idea that Dune is a science fiction story. After all, Dune is… Read more “Science Fiction and Fantasy in Dune”
Military Effects of D&D Magic
Last week, I discussed how the spells in Dungeons and Dragons might totally reshape the politics and economics of a D&D world. Today, I’ll dive into how… Read more “Military Effects of D&D Magic”
The Social Effects of D&D Magic
When people think of spells in Dungeons and Dragons, they think of flashy Fireball or the classic Cure Wounds. What most players and Dungeon Masters don’t realize… Read more “The Social Effects of D&D Magic “
Devil’s Advocate: Was Blowing Up Alderaan Justified?
In Star Wars Episode Four, the evil Empire commits perhaps the most infamous war crime in the history of film: the destruction of Alderaan. Using the Death… Read more “Devil’s Advocate: Was Blowing Up Alderaan Justified?”
Remembering the Alamo(s)
As dawn broke on March 6th, 1836, a Mexican army led by President Antonio Lòpez de Santa Anna stormed the Alamo, a small compound defended by several… Read more “Remembering the Alamo(s)”
Quintus Sertorius: The Patriot Who Defied Rome
This week, I’d like to write about one of my favorite figures from Roman history: Quintus Sertorius (126 BCE to 73 BCE). Sertorius’ life reads like a… Read more “Quintus Sertorius: The Patriot Who Defied Rome”
How Historical Films Misuse Color
In the 1930s, film developed color, and would never be the same again. Now, I wonder if some film genres are unconsciously reverting back to black and… Read more “How Historical Films Misuse Color”
Tragedy and Farce 