Thinking Blogger Award (a meme)

I’ve been tagged recently with a meme titled the “Thinking Blogger Award.” The first one to tag me was my friend Maurice Broaddus, whose blog, “The Pontifications of the Sinister Minister,” you would do well to read. Maurice and I have hung out at a couple of past World Horror Conventions, and we spent a lot of time together at last November’s World Fantasy Convention. He’s reflective and intelligent, so it was a pleasure to be tagged by him for this meme-ish award.

The other tag came from Richard Ristow’s blog, “Damned Critic: Cranky and Critical Readings in Poetry and Fantastic Fiction.” I’ve only just discovered this one, but it’s already looking like I may be spending some quality time browsing through its archives.

So, here’s a thanks to Richard and Maurice for the recognition. And now I’ll spread the love.

1. The Archdruid Report. John Michael Greer’s blog that explores ecology, spirituality, industrial society, and the burgeoning global energy crisis. Its subtitle or subheadling explains its nature: “Druid perspectives on nature, culture, and the future of industrial society.” More lucidly and elegantly than anybody else I’m aware of, John is producing some seriously important reflections, analyses, and predictions about the dramatic ways that life on earth is changing for all of us and will continue to change in the coming years, decades, and centuries. His insightful focus on the philosophical, spiritual, and cultural aspects of peak oil etc. is particularly valuable.
2. Clusterfuck Nation. James Howard Kunstler’s blog. Again, the subtitle/subheading explains its nature: “Comment on current events from the author of The Long Emergency.” In addition to its value in providing lots of solid commentary on and analysis of current events relating to peak oil, global warming, economic globalization, American imperialism, rampant Western consumerism, radical Islamic jihadism, and more, Kunstler’s blog is worth reading because it’s damned funny. He has a fiercely satirical way with words and ideas that few can match. One of my favorite amongst his many quotable quips serves as a good example: “If America could harness the power it wastes blowing smoke up its own ass, we could magically escape our energy-and-climate-change predicament.”
3. Dark Ages America. Morris Berman’s blog. He only updates it infrequently, but it’s always worth the wait. I’ll let its self-description do the talking: “This is the blog for MORRIS BERMAN, the author of Dark Ages America. It includes current publications and random thoughts about U.S. Foreign Policy, including letters and reactions to publications from others. A cultural historian and social critic, MORRIS BERMAN is the author of Wandering God and The Twilight of American Culture. Since 2003 he has been a visiting professor in sociology at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Feel free to write and participate.”
4. All Hail the New Madness. The blog of horror writer Simon Strantzas. In addition to ongoing updates about Simon’s creative endeavors, it’s full of insightful reflections about the creative process and the alternating cycle of elation and despair that characterizes the writing life.
5. Theofantastique. A blog maintained by John Moreland, “a researcher, writer, and speaker in intercultural studies and new religious movements.” I discovered it a few months ago when Kim Paffenroth, author of Gospel of the Living Dead and maintainer of his own very worthy blog, mentioned The Teeming Brain and Theofantastique alongside each other in a post titled “Christianity and Horror — Finally!” And then Mr. Moreland commented here at The Teeming Brain, if I remember correctly, although I think I may have failed to respond. I’ve been so scattered by my teaching job that I haven’t had time to explore Theofantastique properly, but it looks like a veritable gold mine of fascinating material. Sounds like a great summer reading project. Here’s its self-description: “A blog devoted to the enjoyment and exploration of myth and archetypes expressed in the pop culture genres of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, and their connection to religion.”