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
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.
On Rats and Truth
Truth is isolating. Truth is terrifying. Truth is painful. But the truth is: We can no longer live as rats. We know too much.
Evolve In 2026
Stoics believed that anger and depression were caused by collisions of hope and reality and people being unable to recognize and reconcile their place in the universe and that is still 100% true today.
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!
Want to watch more?
Vespertine (Final Review)
Vespertine is Margaret Rogerson's best book to date and while I'm sorry she had to go through so much suffering to create it.
Protect Your Peace
ANYONE can be a psychologist. Letters after someone's name only means they test well, not that they live well or ARE well.
On Rudeness and Disrespect …
Rudeness isn't a bad habit. It's not something you just happened to pick up somewhere and accidentally keep forgetting to not be ... it's a character trait you're choosing to bring into a space and inflict upon others.
Realism ≠ Pessimism
The truth doesn't set you free, it only imprisons you in a new reality that completely obliterates the one you were hiding within before.
Strange Beasts by Susan J Morris
"The worlds of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes collide in a thrilling exploration of feminine power." Aka: Tell me you hate men and have never read Dracula ...
Jekyll and Hyde – Chapter 3 (Part 2)
I’m not saying that no one should create their own version of something that inspired them. But where are the people that ACTUALLY LIKE THESE STORIES AS IS?