Ben Douglass Digest

  The sun was setting over the city of Athens, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets. At a small, out-of-the-way tavern, two men sat across from each other, engaged in an animated conversation that spanned the ages. Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher, with his signature toga and penetrating gaze, sipped thoughtfully on his red wine. Across from him, Charles Bukowski, the modern-day poet and novelist, took a swig of his beer, his rugged face partially hidden by the brim of his red fedora. BUK: So, you say that the unexamined life is not worth living. But what about the life that's examined to death? Doesn't that become its own kind of hell? SOC: Ah, my friend, you touch upon a profound truth. To question, to probe, to seek knowledge - these are noble pursuits. But indeed, one must also learn to find balance. The endless quest for answers can become a labyrinth, ensnaring the soul. BUK: Yeah, well, the world's a pretty fucked up place. People drink to forget,...

  A Narrative Poem by Ben Douglass  Once mighty and proud, we stood so tall, The American Republic for which we stand, The city on the hill, a beacon to all. But time marches on, relentless and true, And republics eventually fall, As history will prove. From golden dreams and boundless skies, To whispers of discontent That slowly arises. The cracks appeared, Our foundations shaken, No longer the land of the fearless. Wars fought for freedom, now tarnished with greed, Rights once so cherished, Now lost in the quick authoritarian fix. The voices unheard, the cries ignored, A tapestry of power, wealth and greed, Unraveling and bored. The streets once bustling with hope And might, now echo with shadows Of forgotten fights. Citizens divided, trust in tatters, The Republic crumbles As chaos spreads over the land. Economics falter, billionaires grow fat And arrogant, while the rest of us languish In a world of hurt. Promises broken, ideals & dreams now stained, By politicians who...

  The "Einstein Intersection" is a fascinating concept that merges science fiction with scientific theory, particularly the ideas of Albert Einstein. This intersection exists in various forms, from literature to theoretical physics, and provides a unique lens through which we can explore the boundaries of human understanding. The term "Einstein Intersection" is often associated with the science fiction novel "The Einstein Intersection" by Samuel R. Delany. Published in 1967, the novel won the Nebula Award for best Novel and is considered a classic in the genre. The story is set in a future Earth where humanity has evolved into new forms, and the protagonist, Lobey, embarks on a quest that echoes the Greek myth of Orpheus. Delany's narrative explores themes of identity, change, and the nature of reality, all within the framework of Einstein's theories of relativity. Samuel R. Delany's novel delves into the implications of Einstein's theories...

When Abigail the cat first came into Jerry's life from the no-kill shelter, she was a troubled child who had been brought back to the shelter from folks who didn't want to deal with her. Her past was marked by abandonment and rejection, leaving her wary of human affection and trust. Jerry picked her for this reason. Jerry and Abigail bonded over time. Despite her troubled beginnings, Jerry saw in her a spark of potential, a glimmer of hope that could transform her life The early days with Abigail were not easy. She was a biter and scratcher in her youth, expressing her fear and confusion through aggression. Jerry had the marks to prove it, but he never gave up on her. He understood that her behavior was a cry for help, a manifestation of her unresolved trauma. With patience and persistence, Jerry worked to gain her trust, a process that required not only physical healing but emotional growth as well. Jerry's approach was one of unconditional love and unwavering commitment. ...

 Go ahead: Shop until you drop! Sit in Starbucks slurping coffee! Turn off the news! Don't get involved! Pray without any follow up action! Accept the inevitable! Be silent! Sleepwalk into The ABYSS that is coming For us all...

 Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delany. Vintage Books: NY. Copyright 1974. Unabridged Edition. 801 Pages. From the back cover: Perhaps one of the most profound and bestselling science fiction novels of all time, the author has produced a story to stand with the best American fiction. Bellona is a city at the dead center of the United States. Something has happened there... The population has fled. Madmen and criminals wander the streets. Strange portents appear in the cloud-covered sky. Into this disaster zone comes a young man - poet, lover, and adventurer - known only as the Kid. Tackling questions of race, gender, and se4xuality, Dhalgren is a literary marvel and groundbreaking work of American magical realism. From the Libertarian Review: "A Joycean tour de force of a novel, Dhalgren...stakes a better claim than anything else published in this country in the last quarter-century (excepting only Gass's Omensetter's Luck and Nabokov's Pale Fire ) to a permanent place as one...