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!
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Hansei and Kaizen
You can choose who you want to be despite what other people have tried to make you or tell you that you are.
Silence=Death
If you think being neutral is going to ensure that everyone has fair and balanced opportunities for success you’re delusional.
On Avatar and White Nonsense
𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘰 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺’𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. Racists create racist films.
Trash Day Comes Quick
People are more than just the content they post, but what they choose to share, repeat, and put into the world is a very good indication of their character.
How I Learned Control
I have said many times before that stoicism saved my life as a child and this thread has been another example as to how and why.
A Different View
There are 3 primary reasons people watch media and none of those have anything to do with truly appreciating art.