Death is Eternal #394
Monday. April 1, 2024. 1,752 words.
Are you ready for a new free-for-all Death is Eternal? And the best part is that it’s not an April Fools hoax! It’s merely a coincidence because, as long-time subscribers already know, every first newsletter of the month is always free-for-all. And this month, the first day of the month is also the first Monday of the month, and isn’t that satisfying? How I wish we could move to the International Fixed Calendar... However, I’d change it so the week would start on Monday rather than Sunday. After all, Sunday is the weekend, so it makes no sense for the end to be the beginning, too. But I digress...
Contents
Poll
Spike the Hike: Axe the tax
Writing: Format
Reading: Pocket books
Bye! Oh, wait!
Life (from March 25 to April 7, 2024)
Death is Eternal review #270: Squid Game: The Challenge
The end
1. Poll
As you are well aware at this point, I publish a new Harvey Turpin story every 15th; however, and that’s not the first time that has happened, this month, the 15th is a Monday, which means, in theory, you’ll receive two emails from me at 5 pm PDT, one with the regular newsletter and the other with “Harvey Turpin, Private Investigator, in ‘The Dark Labyrinth’”. My question is, do you prefer I change the day of the short story so you don’t receive two emails from me at the same time? Or do you prefer I change the time so you receive two emails on the same day but not at the same time? Or do you prefer to keep things as they are because you don’t mind receiving two emails simultaneously? Please vote in the poll below, and thanks for your help!
2. Spike the Hike: Axe the tax
“Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The Next Decade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says.” | The New York Times
“Scientists deliver ‘final warning’ on climate crisis: act now or it’s too late” | The Guardian
“New climate change report highlights rising danger, costs for Canadians” | CBC
“UN climate report: It’s ‘now or never’ to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees” | UN News
“Climate change widespread, rapid, and intensifying” | IPCC
“Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity'” | BBC
“Human, economic, environmental toll of climate change on the rise: WMO” | UN News
“New study: Climate change has made heat waves last longer, spike hotter, hurt more people” | MSN
“Winter roads are a lifeline in the north. Climate change is making them more untenable” | CBC
“Record wildfires hit Venezuela during climate-driven Amazon drought” | Yahoo
“Woke conspiracy theory! Global warming isn’t real!” | Idiot
“The fossil industry holds the key to a better future! All we have to do is trust them and pay them billions and billions!” | Idiot too
The end
3. Writing: Format
As I reflect on my initial intentions for this piece, I realize that my writing journey took an unexpected turn. Initially, I had planned to delve into the topic of “Writing: Under pressure,” but as I pondered the direction of my short story, I found myself compelled to deviate from my original path.
I promised myself that next week, I’ll delve into the realm of writing under the constraint of time. However, for now, I feel compelled to explain the divergence in my storytelling approach.
Long-time subscribers may recognize two fundamental aspects of my identity: my political stance as a leftist and the infrequency of overt political themes in my short stories. Typically, my political commentary finds its place in the “Life” section or within this very section. Yet today, I felt an urgent need to address the issue of climate change.
Climate and environmental concerns weigh heavily on my mind, growing more pressing with each passing day as I immerse myself in research and observation. The weight of these issues has eroded my faith in humanity, leaving me with a desire to confront and alleviate my fears through the medium of storytelling.
However, as I contemplated the narrative I wished to craft, I realized that the scope of my vision exceeded the confines of a mere 500 words unless I resorted to real-world headlines. This realization prompted a shift in my thinking.
If I wished to incorporate headlines into my story, why not make the headlines the story itself? What if I explored the narrative through the lens of a character grappling with the bombardment of news and drawing misguided conclusions, mirroring the experiences of many in our society?
This concept intrigued me, but I grappled with the question of execution. How could I seamlessly blend headlines with dialogue to convey my intended message? Uncertain of the path forward, I decided to experiment. I collected headlines, pasting them into a document, hoping that inspiration would strike.
And strike it did.
Upon seeing the headlines before me, a clear vision emerged. I knew exactly how to proceed, shaping my story around the central themes that had captivated me. Through this process, I remained grateful for the freedom accompanying the act of creation. Art has no rigid rules, no definitive right or wrong. It is a realm where individual expression reigns supreme.
Like all forms of artistic expression, I recognized that my art was mine to mould and manipulate as I saw fit. Before concern for audience reception or commercial viability, I prioritized the simple joy of creation and the transmission of my intended message.
Art is inherently flexible, and we, as artists, must embrace and celebrate this malleability. By doing so, we unlock the true potential of our craft, transcending the constraints of convention to craft narratives that resonate deeply with both ourselves and our audience.
4. Reading: Pocket books
A quick section for a quick rant.
It had been a minute since I last read a pocket-sized book, and maybe it had been more than a minute, or I was just younger and less grumpy, but holy fuck, this format sucks! There’s no comfortable way of reading it! I hated it! And I’m pretty sure it affected how much I liked the story itself.
Anyway, I don’t recommend pocket books!
5. Bye! Oh, wait!
Here’s where we say our farewell to the free subscribers... Oh, wait! Not this week. This week, everyone can read until the end. If you’re a paying subscriber, you know what to expect. If you aren’t, you should seriously consider becoming one!
6. Life (from March 25 to April 7, 2024)
Do you know what’s fantastic about working in a place that cares for people? Having people who care for people. In this case, having a long weekend beginning on Friday (Mar. 29, 2024) and lasting until today (Apr. 1, 2024) allows me to write this Death is Eternal today instead of yesterday. Four days to rest is terrific!
That’s especially amazing because my weekend was atypical. Jessica and I went hiking on Saturday (Mar. 30, 2024). We went to the Devils Lake Trail in Mission, BC. And although it says “easy,” I found it quite challenging. It was the first hike that, at some points, I honestly thought, “A single misstep here, and I may die.” But clearly, I didn’t die, which is good... maybe. Anyway. The hike was great, and the lake was beautiful. So now, am I a hiker? No. I still prefer staying home reading and watching TV, but I also accept doing things sometimes. Equilibrium is everything.
The biggest highlight of the following week is the Vancouver Comic and Toy Show. I love the event, and as a kid on Christmas Eve, I can barely sleep out of anticipation. Although, unlike a kid, I’m not that interested in the toys, but the comics. Hopefully, I’ll be able to buy what I want, as well as comics I didn’t even know I wanted or existed. Can you tell I’m excited?
Anyway, it was and will be an atypical* couple of weeks. But that’s not necessarily bad.
*Me leaving the house is atypical, especially in back-to-back-to-back weeks.
7. Death is Eternal review #270
Squid Game: The Challenge
Squid Game: The Challenge endeavours to extend the gripping narrative of its predecessor but falls short of delivering a compelling experience. While I refrain from dwelling on the existential debate surrounding its existence and its divergence from the ethos of the original TV series, it’s imperative to underscore the overarching issue: the expansive scope of this reality production ultimately undermines its impact on viewers.
At the heart of its shortcomings lies the unwieldy ensemble cast, a conglomeration of faces rendered distant and indistinct by sheer numbers. The essence of empathy, crucial for audience engagement, dissipates in the vast expanse of characters. Without a tangible connection to the individuals navigating the challenges, viewers are left adrift in a sea of anonymity, devoid of emotional investment—a cardinal sin in the realm of reality television.
Moreover, the introduction of novel challenges, distinct from those iconic to Squid Game, fails to captivate. In an attempt to innovate, the creators overlook the fundamental principle of intrigue, presenting trials that lack the ingenuity and suspense intrinsic to the allure of the original concept. Consequently, the narrative trajectory stagnates, bereft of the tension and unpredictability that fuelled its predecessor’s success.
In summation, Squid Game: The Challenge falters under the weight of its ambitions. Hindered by an overabundance of characters, uninspired challenges, and a dystopian feeling for the viewers, it fails to recapture the magic of its predecessor. As a result, what could have been a worthy extension of the Squid Game universe instead emerges as a lacklustre iteration, devoid of the emotional resonance and thematic depth that defined its progenitor.
8. The end
It’s funny to think that the Death is Eternal with more topics in recent times, is also one of the shortest since the “Vacation editions.” I guess the short story was really a short one today. And I know I should do a better job (i.e., writing as if there was no tomorrow) of trying to convince you to upgrade your subscriptions, but that would be artificial. The newsletter is what it needs to be, and I’m proud of that. If I tried too hard, it wouldn’t be good. So things are what they are. And that’s an important lesson. Don’t push it; embrace who you are and what your creativity is offering you. See you next week, bye!