John C. Wright's Blog, page 186

For Those of You Not Impressed with Rachel Welch

In a recent article in this space, your humble perpetrator of sciffy space opera opined that the Sexual Revolution was no friend of Feminism, since the object of the first was to reduce women to objects, and the object of the second was to elevate women to equality.

To bolster my argument, I linked to an Op-Ed by Sex Goddess Rachel Welch, who agreed with me. I admit this indulged in the informal logical error of 'argumentum ad buxom', which is to say, an appeal to the sex appeal of the author...

Starcoming by David Langford

One strange thing about being an obscure mid-list author is that from time to time one's work gets reviewed (even favorably reviewed) but one never hears of it. I came by accident across a Google-book 'limited view' of a book called Starcoming by David Langford, in which is a review of NULL-A CONTINUUM (from Foundation #103, Summer 2008).

I confess I am pleased that at least one reader recognized the various allusions and cross-references to other Van Vogt books with which I peppered the seque...

World War and the Sexual Revolution

There is an article over at First Things touching just the issue of the origins of the revolting sexual revolt. The origin of the sexual revolution, so the argument is made, is the social breakdown ushered in by World War Two.

http://www.firstthings.com/onthesquare/2010/05/beyond-the-pill-looking-for-the-origins-of-the-sexual-revolution

Because of its scope and intensity, World War II shattered an existing moral consensus, creating a socially unstable situation in which “ordinary” morality...

Raquel Welch Agrees with Me

Readers may recall in this space I wrote an editorial denouncing the sexual revolution. I argued that it was no friend of women, of womankind, or of feminism. There were those who took exception to what I said, some of it honest disagreement, and some of it not.

In the interests of completeness, I note with no little amusement that of all people it is Rachel Welch, the Love Goddess of her generation, who pens a commentary for CNN expressing at least some of the same reservations as yours trul...

A Random World of Delta Capricorni Aa, also called Scheddi

My latest story is available over at Flash Fiction Online. It is an ultra-short (only one kiloword long) decorated with an admirable illustration by R.W. Ware. You may read the tale free of charge, but tipping is encouraged.

http://www.flashfictiononline.com/f20100501-random-world-delta-capricorni-scheddi-john-c-wright.html

It was not abduction. I volunteered to go.

I trampled out the crop circle in the north field of the Suttlebys’ ranch, at night, just with a board of plywood and a long...

Who is a Space Princess?

I am happy to announce that the New Space Princess literary movement now consists of two members: me and Edward Willet, a Canadian writer who would be profoundly embarrassed to be associated with me if he knew what a disreputable person I am. But no matter! Recently the SWFA Mansion in New Jersey was rocked and shattered with tumult as Mr. Willet and I disagreed over the definition of who is a "Space Princess" -- for example, is Princess Padme of Naboo a Space Princess, or only a Space Senato...

Mad Scientist of the Week!

Here at the Official Website of the literary movement known as the New Space Princess Movement, we have run into a ferocious conflict, and the movement is on the verge of shattering into two opposing and irreconcilable factions. Faction One, consisting of me, insists that the official definition of "Space Princess" should also include the Mad Scientist's Beautiful Daughter, since, obviously, any Mad Scientist worth his salt could conquer one or more planets in space, and make his daughter a p...

Wright's Writing Corner -- On the McGuffin

Today's Wright's Writig Corner is a guest blog on MacGuffins.

The lovely and talented Mrs. Wright says "I thought it was quite interesting. I'd never thought of an object you can't get rid of--as opposed to one you want to find--as the MacGuffin, but I think she is right!"

The Guest Blogger is Jordan McCollum:

http://arhyalon.livejournal.com/118468.html

Meanwhile, Over at First Things

Allow me, dear readers, to offer you a link here: http://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/04/believe-it-or-not

David B. Hart argues, and convincingly, that while atheists will be with us always, even to the end of the age, the 'New Atheists' those strident but empty-headed screamers of narcissism and sneerers at their intellectual superiors, are a temporary fad, like see-through plastic pants or disco.

In order to prove his point, a number of people posing as New Atheists crowd his comments bo...

Socializing the Males Revisited: Is Hefner a Lady's Friend or Ladykiller?

A reader with the unromantic name of theobrominelove  takes me to task for my recent essay here on the failure to socialize the males. I welcome the criticism. Hat in hand, I will answer as honestly and earnestly as I may, and leave you, dear readers, to judge between us. theobrominelove 's bold comments are in bold.

“You seem to say that as chastity and gallantry are scorned, men do not know any better than to behave badly towards women.”

I don’t think I said anything about “not knowing any ...