Essays, Lectures, and Rants : The Thoughts Of Elaine Barlow
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I have been thinking a great deal about my priorities. The world as we knew it is over and I have to decide how I want to spend my remaining time on and offline especially as my health gets worse.
I will be putting more focus on finishing the novel I have always wanted to write because I want to have fulfilled that one dream of mine before it is too late to do so.
I will finish my Jekyll and Hyde podcast but will not be starting any new video projects or finishing current ones except for Media Psykhe. If I have time to do (or feel like doing) a Jem video here and there or write reviews of audiobooks or other media, I will absolutely post them here as usual, but right now I have higher personal priorities.
I will also be getting off of most social media except for Bluesky and CounterSocial.
Take care of yourselves and those you love. Stay safe and stay strong. ❤️
Latest Writing
Masked Legacy
My father did a lot of good. Too much to just ignore or let disappear because of his generation's trauma, silence, or my singular opinion about one of his masks.
99.9% Excuses
There is no excuse for dysregulated emotions and choosing anger and hatred over logic, empathy, and reason. Stop making excuses and do the work.
250 Stories – Elaine Barlow
Part of the Hartford Public Library 250 Stories series, I discuss my early experiences with libraries, the profound impact the library had on my life, and my thoughts on creativity, trauma, and legacy.
Audio Podcast
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 8 – Part 2
As far as I'm concerned, Chapter 8 is the absolute best chapter in the entire book. This is also where the story pretty much comes to a very abrupt end.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 8 – Part 1
It is a shame that the two people who have the most interesting perspectives in the entire book are the only two people to never have their stories told.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapters 6&7 – Part 2
This video goes into depth about how the story mirrors so much of the reality of addiction spirals and dealing with the breakdown of friendships.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapters 6&7 – Part 1
I decided to do these two chapters together because they are two of my favorite chapters and because the are very similar in feeling and foundation.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 5 – Part 2
Most people who make movies and adaptations focus solely on the final chapter of the book. The story of Jekyll and Hyde is not just the final chapter.
Elaine Is Reading: Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde > Chapter 5 – Part 1
This is one of the chapters that I kind of wish Stevenson’s wife had permanently destroyed. It’s the most contrived, forced, lazy chapter of the whole book.
How (Not) To Survive
Just because you CAN'T handle something, doesn't mean there is something wrong with those who can. Stop being the problem and become part of the solution.
Previously on Jem and The Holograms
More Videos!
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The Forged #2
You're aware right? That you have drawn these "space witches" to resemble some kind of magical metaphysical vagina with flowing gossamer labia ... ? I mean ... you see it right? RIGHT!?
You Are Dysfunctional
People online have NO CLUE how to behave or how to treat each other in healthy or civilized ways. And yes, I do blame social media.
Check Your Privilege
No one is blaming ANYONE for having privilege. What people are asking is that you realize you have, and benefit from, privilege from the beginning.
The Answer Is 10
The entire education system is about forcing you to change how you actually see reality and understand the world around you.
Anger Isn’t A Flex
Anger doesn't exist to remind you of a solid foundation you stand upon, it's a state that weakens you. Anger isn't you, it's who you are not.
Opening Advice
Social media is what you bring to it and I see people just bringing more of the same anger, complaining, and trauma to every platform.