Below is a chronological collection of all the essays and writings I’ve put on this site, organized by their different categories and accompanied with brief synopses.

General Ramblings - Thoughts and ideas on happenings around the world.

• A study of political organization and conduct within an online community – A brief review of the structure and political makeup of UnitedOperations.net, an online community founded around democratic ideals.
• Rep. Valarie Hodges, the new face of American intolerance – Rep. Hodges’ comments about vouchers going to Islamic-based religious schools demonstrate a dangerous and growing intolerance towards minority faiths and ideas in America.
• Clerics call for the destruction of the Pyramids – why do we destroy our own heritage? - Clerics within Egypt are calling for the destruction of the ‘Pagan’ Great Pyramids, contributing to a history of destruction for humanity’s ancient cultural heritage.
• Romney’s Bain Scandal: Either a felon, or a liar… – Mitt Romney’s campaign will be sent on the defensive following reports that he lied about his participation in Bain Capital following 1999.
• Three Incredible Moons Which You Should Know About - Europa. Enceladus. Titan. These worlds are likely future candidates for study, because they present us with opportunities for great discovery. Their characteristics make them fascinating. They’re moons which you should know about.
• The Arguments Against Gay-Marriage are Bullshit - The arguments against gay marriage are hardly defensible, and those who use them effectively discriminate against a significant portion of the population.
• The Coolest NASA Landing Yet, Happening Soon! – This week marks one of the coolest and exciting events in the history of space exploration. On August 6th NASA’s Curiosity rover will land on Mars using new and insanely sophisticated landing techniques to begin a mission of great discovery.
• The Influence of Shame, ‘Aidōs’, in The Iliad - The concept of shame and the consequences of shaming actions are explored and demonstrated throughout the heroic epic The Iliad. Both of the heroes the epic centers on, Hector of Troy and Achilles the Greek, are influenced by their fear of shame, and respond to shame in important ways which will have large consequences on the course of events.
• Thoughts on Tonight’s Political Debate – Tonight’s political discussion between Maryland Delegate Sandy Rosenberg and Harford County Executive David Craig was, quite frankly, a bit of a disappointment. The questions asked were fantastic and thought-provoking, but the answers given were quite the letdown. I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when the politicians dodged questions, gave answers of little substance, and pointed fingers.
• Reflections on the 2nd Pres. Debate - The problem is our debates have become less of a discussion of substance between candidates about issues central to our nation and more of a spectacle for viewers to watch the two candidates duke it out. Neither one has presented any real information about what they intend to do for the next four years. Instead, they throw attack after attack at each other and stick largely to ideology and campaign ‘promises’ when answering questions about their policies and ideas. Last night’s debate, unfortunately, was no different
• Reflections on the 3rd Pres. Debate -  As a final debate, I thought that the candidates performed cordially and performed well. I thought that the President looked and sounded very strong in what he had to say about foreign policy, but then again he knew what he was talking about. Mr. Romney, not so much. However, as a result of the nature of this race, as Obama put it, we aren’t looking for ‘nation building abroad but nation building back home’.
• Clooney’s “Ides of March” Critique – George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” is a political drama, a movie with insights into the behind-the-scenes conduct of campaigns, the ‘dirty’ nature of politics and politicking, and the intrapersonal struggles between optimistic idealism and realistic cynicism experienced by those who work in them.
• Justice Through Transformation in “The Thousand and One Nights” - Transformations throughout The Thousand and One Nights share a number of similarities; the initial transformations of each story are conducted by women as a result of their anger , and all transformations seek to ‘right a wrong’ in the eyes of the transformer.
• 2012′s Campaign Advertisements: The Best and Worst – This campaign season was one inundated with campaign advertisement. Whatever the reason for the abundance of campaign advertising may be, one thing is sure: it provided us with some fantastically effective ads along with some fantastically horrible ones.
• The Development of Xenia and Its Role in The Odyssey – An analysis of the episodes in the epic where the guest-host relationship is explored reveals that there is a formula for its development, and that there are certain elements of hospitality necessary for a guest to be properly received. These elements and the function of the guest-host relationship assist the development of the plot, especially in the latter half of the epic when Odysseus must shed his disguise as a guest of Telemachus and come to restore his household.
• Cool Facts About This Week’s Meteor Shower – Meteor showers are exciting things. The bright flashes in the night sky produced by hunks of rock or ice burning up in our planet’s upper atmosphere are fun to watch, and for those of us who are interested in astronomy its a great experience to get to watch the universe in action
• Moliere’s Tartuffe: An Enlightened Perspective on Women - Jean-Baptiste Poquelin Molière’s “Tartuffe” serves as a powerful social commentary in that it upholds the Enlightenment belief that females are capable of reason and presents a critique of an irrational patriarchy which attempts to oppose and suppress them.
• The Army of Republican Rome vs. the Zombie Hordes - If there was a zombie apocalypse during the Roman Republic, who would win? I present an analysis of the development of the Roman army from the era of the Kings to the late Republic, and then analyze how they would hold up against the hordes.
• Frankenstein ‘Monster’: A Creature of Evil, or A Product of Evil? – Through her commentary on mankind’s nature in “Frankenstein”, Shelly demonstrates the ‘humanity’ of the creature; his actions and his nature are like those of mankind. With this in mind, an important recognition is formed: if the creature’s evil is exacerbated by the injustice brought upon him, perhaps he isn’t the monster in this story.
• Neutral Science, Irresponsible Scientists: Shelley’s Message About Knowledge in “Frankenstein” – A recurring theme in “Frankenstein” is the pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery. Indeed, this pursuit is responsible for the main events of the book; in his quest to discover the secrets of creation, Victor Frankenstein designs and builds his monster. Often interpreted as a warning against knowledge, Shelley’s “Frankenstein” can, and perhaps should, be interpreted as a warning about the necessity for scientists and society to be responsible with their creations and discoveries instead.

International Affairs – Writings about the international community and international interactions.

• Theorizing the rise of, and American response to, a growing China - A theoretical approach routed in Realist theory towards the actions the United States will take in the international arena to combat the hegemonic rise of China.
• Egyptian democracy and its implications on U.S. foreign policy - Liberal democracy in Egypt will bring to power different groups and organizations with different outlooks towards the international arena. American foreign policy will, as a result, need to change to accommodate these new forces.
• In Light of The Protests, Don’t Disavow Arab Democracy Just Yet – The violent protests sweeping the Middle East are frightening to us in the West, but are not representative of the region at all. Those who claim that the Arab experiments in democracy have failed or will give rise to radical regimes are short-sighted and, frankly, wrong.
• The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Obstacles and Opportunities - The  Israeli-Palestinian Conflict is arguably the longest running, most influential, most pervasive, and most significant issue facing the Middle East today. A number of issues prevent the settlement of peace. However, a number of options are available to resolve the conflict, and what is needed now is the political will and strength needed to see them through to the end.
• The Conflict in Syria: Issues, Options, Opportunities – The uprising in Syria remains unresolved after a year and has evolved into a bloody civil conflict, one which is estimated to have caused over 30,000 Syrians casulaities and which has left destruction, lawlessness, and fear across the country. As the conflict matures, a number of issues have become apparent which will need to be addressed in order to ensure a peaceful resolution to and transition away from the unrest.
• Troubled Transitions: Challenges, Struggles, and Solutions for post-’Arab Spring’ Democracy – Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya each have a set of issues which could hinder, slow, or even prevent the formation of functional, liberal democracy, and these issues need to be addressed and resolved in order to guarantee long-term political stability. While these issues are unique to their countries in their characteristics, they are not without parallels. By looking at the successful development of these other democracies possible solutions to the problems being faced now can be found and applied.
• North Korea’s Only “Talking the Talk” - The United States and the international community must approach the North Korea issue with extreme caution. We’re looking at a possible conflict which could erupt this year; if we’re careful enough, however, it will simply deescalate. The North Koreans are acting rationally and in what they see as their best interest. For them, these belligerent acts are what they see as the only way to get out of a situation where they see themselves backed up against a wall.
• The Escalating Situation in Syria: A Prediction – There has recently been talk of the Syrian regime using chemical weapons against its population. If this is true, the situation will likely be rapidly escalating and evolving. Here is a brief analysis of a possible reaction the international community can make (involving the establishment of a no-fly-zone), and my prediction of the coming events.

Introspections – “Looking inward”, examinations of my ideas, philosophies, and views on life.

•  Introspection # 1 “All the Experiences” - At every moment, an uncompromisable amount of things are happening. The sum of all these experiences is beautiful, and humbling, to think about.
• Introspection # 2 “In the Future of Space Settlement, Who Governs What?” – The future of private settlement in space raises serious questions and concerns about the sovereignty of those settlements. Will corporations be responsive to state laws? Will governments exert equal influence in otherworldly affairs? In space, who exactly governs what?
• Poem # 1: Collapse – A poetic short
• Introspection #3 “Building a Knowledge of Ancient Rome” - As I seek to expand my knowledge on the fascinating Ancient Rome, I will read a number of sources of comprehensive information from historians living in both our time and the distant past.
• Introspection #4 “Do Physical Laws Negate Free Will?” – If special relativity is correct, and observers can essentially travel into the future if near the speed of light, then the deterministic nature of our destiny is perhaps revealed, and a conflict with concepts of free will is raised.
• Poem # 2: Explorers – A poetic short
• Introspection #5 “The Insights Gained From History” – The entirety of our current world is a result of the collective choices, decisions, and events of the past. The study of history, thus, is perhaps one of the most powerful sources of insight and knowledge an individual can gain about the world around them, their place in that world, and why that world operates as it does.
• Introspection #6 “The Importance of Accurate History” – Our current world is the result of the accumulation of events in the past. It is lamentable then that history is so often either lost, deliberately misconstrued, misunderstood or misinterpreted, or entirely fictitious. Much of our understanding of history, and the stories presented to us, do not accurately describe actual events in the past. We therefore often cannot truly understand the nature of the world around us.
• Poem # 3: Wanderers – A poetic short
• Science or Religion, an Interview - An interview I had with a fellow student on some of my beliefs regarding the merit of science and religion.
• Something Incredible about the Universe – There’s something about the universe I find mind-blowing: Life on Earth evolved intelligence, and it likely evolved elsewhere.
• Introspection # 7 “A Realization About the Study of History” – When we study history, we often learn of great men, great conflicts, and profound changes in society and technology. Yet we learn little about the daily lives and experiences of the common man; instead, this knowledge is considered supplementary or is simply nonexistent. Can we truly understand history without this knowledge? I no longer believe so, as the past for me is not as much a story of wars, dates, and important names as it is the collective struggles, hopes, and lives of those who populated it.
• Introspection # 8: “The Human Consciousness from Physical Process, a Philosophical Discourse on the Mind” – A discourse on the mind and human consciousness. I believe that the human ‘experience’ is through our conscious perception of reality, and that the human ‘consciousness’ is the manifestation of the purely physical processes of the brain. As such, I contend that the mind and body are intimately tied, and accordingly reject the notion of the ‘soul’ or of ‘consciousness’ separate from the physical self.
• Introspection # 9: “The Hierarchies of Power” – Since the beginning of human civilization, we have found it necessary to organize ourselves into social structures and systems. Perhaps out of necessity, these hierarchies serve as a framework for the distribution of power within the system; at the very top power is monopolized, and at the very bottom power is almost non-existent. If the acquisition and utilization of power can be removed from the conventional sources which it has been developed and thus freely shared by all, then all will be liberated. In the end, everything in our world is determined by the use of power, and if we can change the way that power is used, then we can change everything about our world.
• Introspection # 10: “Intellect, Our Greatest Asset or Most Dangerous Liability?” -  Intelligence allows a species to largely remove itself from the constraints of nature and dictate its own path of evolution. Yet it also allows a species to destroy itself and the world it lives in. It gives a species the capacity to consciously and deliberately commit massive acts of murder and destruction. Is this really so advantageous of a quality to possess as a species?
• Introspection # 11: “The Fleeting Moment of Unipolarity” - Maintaining the balance of power is perhaps the most important element behind the actions of the countries in the international system. During times of disproportionate concentrations of power, such as the American “unipolar moment” and the rise of Napoleon’s Empire, countries will rise to balance against and challenge the hegemon. Perhaps this is why there have been so few examples in history of a unipolar distribution of power, and why our “moment” has and will be so brief.
• Introspection # 12: “The Bright Future of Humanity” – The future of mankind is bright. The future of mankind is a future without war, a future of cooperation, shared benefit, mutual gain. The future of mankind is a future in which it does away with the concept of nations and different identities and embraces the reality of our single planetary species. The future of mankind is a future in which it sets out into the stars, a future where it explores, discovers, learns, and develops in so fantastic a manner that the mankind of our current time and place will be to them like the ‘cavemen’ are to us.
• Introspection # 13: “Thoughts on the Future” – A rambling on the future; Although we as humans may remain the same throughout great expanses of time, our societies, our cultures, our technologies, and our understanding of things will change and vary vastly. We cannot hold onto truths as immutable, nor can we believe ourselves ever to be the pinnacle of understanding or progress. Yet we must also never take for granted the lives we currently live, for our experiences are unique to our place and time, to our current society and world, and as time marches forward will never to be had again.

Video Games – Reviews, After Action Reports, and thoughts on video games I play.

• SpaceEngine, a universe simulator! – SpaceEngine is a simulation of the entire universe, displaying the stars, galaxies, and planets which make it up. This simulator enables me to experience beautiful sights and amazing things I will never get to see firsthand.
• A Napoleonic Struggle (A N:TW Darthmod AAR) – In early July, 1805, French and Austrian armies meet in a skirmish. This AAR chronicles the battle.
• The History of Europe, 1066 to 1315 (A Crusader Kings 2 AAR) – I’ve researched and written a simulated history of Europe from 1066 to 1315, using the game Crusader Kings 2 as a platform to let history develop. The game has created a history quite unlike the real one, but one that is equally complex, detailed, and fascinating.
• My Mission to the Moon: A Kerbal Space Program Adventure – I’ve been playing Kerbal Space Program a lot recently, and it continues to blow me away. It puts you in the shoes of an engineer designing and constructing rockets, satellites, rovers, landers, capsules, space stations, and an array of other vehicles and crafts for the imaginary “Kerbal space program”. I want to share my experience in this game, and allow others to see the incredible things it allows you to do, by detailing a mission from start to finish.