Jeff MacLeod

https://theconversation.com/a-survivors-vengeance-how-donald-trump-could-win-again-206469

Hi, I just posted an abridged and revised version of this Trump essay in the “Conversation”. Please let me know if you liked it.

Jeff

Thank-you for this article; it is a robust exploration of the Salem series and witches in general. I very much appreciate your take on all of this.

As I’ve argued in this essay (and elsewhere) policy doesn’t change until our stories do. I see some improvement on how women and POC are being framed in popular culture, but it has come with a small, but vocal, backlash. Gatekeepers of old stories do not give up power easily, but change does happen IMO.

It is not easy to measure because most of the change happens initially in the mysterious world of the cognitive unconscious, but it does get reflected in the real world in ways that are observable.

Thank you for reading my article and your thoughtful comment.

Thank you for your kind comment.

The question you raise on racism is complex and deserves its own essay. I note that The Hobbit was published in 1937 and The Lord of the Rings was launched, as a trilogy, in the 1950s. Some terms Tolkien employed ring shrill in our ears, and some aspects of his narrative deserve critical rebuke. Yet, I don’t think there is much evidence that Tolkien viewed his legends through a racial lens (that is it wasn’t a story about how one race is better than another). He viewed all races/people as “fallen” which was informed by his religious belief. Indeed, his tale on corrupt political power and inhuman bureaucracy being overcome by a multi-racial fellowship governed by free will suggests he wrote from a progressive frame, especially for his time. Again, your question deserves a much more detailed examination, but those are my initial thoughts.

Thanks! I agree, RPG’s have moved pretty far from their roots in Tolkien’s legends. D&D 5e has really taken the RPG world by storm where almost anything goes. I think the current movement is moving this game from a battle of monster statistics to an art form. I’ve become a fan again.

Thanks! I, too, am a Supernatural fan. As I’ve said elsewhere, I believe Sam would vote Democrat, I am not sure about Dean, I could see him voting for President Trump. The brothers both fit into the survivalist frame as I describe it. Again, thanks, I appreciate your interest in my work.

Thanks for reading my article.

You make sound observations, but they don’t seem to address President Trump’s cultural/political appeal to a marginalized community who do not have any shared lived experience with him. Trump was born wealthy and lives a billionaire’s lifestyle (with no military experience). My point is he was able to occupy their cultural frame and convince this group he shares their values – my article attempts to address how he pulled that off.

I agree entirely, the eagles are often misunderstood in D&D circles. It is hard for humans to imagine a species that is above them in the spiritual realm.