Made Whole
OnTransition is a sacrament. Transgender people are deeply, undeniably sacred, and medical care is a way in which we experience the visible signs of the irresistible grace resting within our hearts.
Category: Essays
Longer form pieces.
Shifting the Goalposts: What Conservatives Say About Trans Sports When They Don’t Have to Hide
OnThe argument that the right formerly proposed for trans women in sports had the form of a toothless confession of sympathy, followed by an appeal to fairness.
How to Interview People for Stories
OnIf you’re new to journalism or non-fiction writing, getting an interview with a subject can be daunting. I’m here to say it’s not that hard.
Ronald Reagan: Success or Failure?
OnAn essay on Ronald Reagan and whether or not he’s the hero folks make him out to be (Spoilers: No, he’s not. Not at all.)
Getting Real Weird With It: Are We Living In the Frank Reynolds Timeline?
OnOn ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Frank Reynolds said ‘Well, I don’t know how many years on this Earth I got left. I’m gonna get real weird with it.’
What Makes a Good Mystery Science Theater 3000 Episode?
OnWe take a look at what sort of movie makes a good episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and how bad the movie has to be.
The UK’s ‘Public Information Films’ Are Basically PSAs From Hell
OnThe United Kingdom calls ‘Public Service Announcements’ ‘Public Information Films,’ and they tell you how to be safe. But unlike most PSAs, PFIs are scary.
What, Me Funny?: The National Lampoon Mad Parody Deftly Skewers Alfred E. Neuman (Mostly)
OnAn analysis of the long National Lampoon MAD Parody that appeared as an article in a 1971 issue, looking at what they got right and what they got wrong.
Forget Flying Cars, It’s 2018 — Where Are Our Sinus Doors?!
OnIf there’s a thing that I want in the future, it’s not flying cars or robot butlers — it’s the ability to immediately empty my sinuses with sinus doors.
The True Story of the VID (a/k/a ВND and ВИD) Logo, the Creepiest Closing Logo Ever
OnIf you’ve seen any “scary closing logo” compilations, you’ve probably seen the VID logo — or perhaps you know it as the BND or ВИD logo — here’s what’s up.