Monsters, magic, doomscrolling, and unthinkable peace

Dear Living Dark readers,

Here are four unconnected items—two trains of thought that have worked their way through me in recent days and weeks, plus a couple of quoted passages from a book review, plus a transcribed portion of a video podcast episode that struck me deeply when I came across it today—that I have decided to stitch together and send to you in a single post. I offer no explanatory through line for grouping these items and presenting them this way, though I’m perfectly happy to hear y...