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Damn you, Tolkien, you're no James Hutton.

Tor.com has a couple of great, super-nerdy articles on the faulty geology of Tolkien's map of Middle-earth. The money quote in my opinion:

"Tolkien’s novels have had a massive influence on epic fantasy as a genre, his map is the bad fantasy map that launched a thousand bad fantasy maps..."

So, with that introduction, here's the links.

Tolkien's Map and the Messed Up Mountains of Middle-Earth

Tolkien's Map and the Perplexing River Systems of Middle-earth

As a bonus, the author, apparently a geologist by training and a fantasy buff by avocation, has given us an article on the geology of desert planets. Yee-haw!

Arrakis, Tatooine, and the Science of Desert Planets

-- Everett

Post-script: Oh my, the comments are a wonder to behold.

Tru-bacca

Perhaps we should invite the gentleman on the left to visit our book club.

September Book Club?

When is it, where is it? The book itself is super duper awesome which, as all you readers unversed in the terms of art bandied about by us lawyer types, means that I enjoyed it immensely. If the weather is nice, I volunteer my back patio for our meeting. We finally have a space that's worth meeting in...

The Political Message of the Star Wars Holiday Special

Okay, I finally wrote up my thoughts on the Star Wars Holiday Special and its message about the fragility of democracy. Hope you enjoy!

Responsible Band Names

This McSweeney's list made me laugh. But I need help with some of the names.

Beers and axe-throwing apparently mix

We've done the escape room. Now we can try this the next time someone has a birthday to celebrate.

(Also, I feel that whoever came up with "Canadian backyard shenanigans" for the sub-headline should get a Pulitzer.)