Culture on My Mind Dragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto Knights July 3, 2025
One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.
In the fifth episode for 2025, the team suits up for a conversation with Laurence Lagnese, the event coordinator for the Palmetto Knights. The Palmetto Knights is a nonprofit international sports team based out of South Carolina with various clubs in the southeast. The medieval fight team includes both men and women, and focuses on the research and training to recreate the ancient art of Medieval and Renaissance foot combat. At Dragon Con, they host the Dragon’s Cup Tournament.
The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
STEAM Saturday Cosmic Dawn and Birthday Tortoise June 28, 2025
In this edition, Japan crashes into the moon again, happy birthday to Goliath, and eyes on the Cosmic Dawn.
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? About a year. This is one of the series on Creative Criticality that takes a bit of work to research and assemble, and things have been a bit busy behind the scenes.
Science.org – The Organ Farm (May 29, 2025) Gene-edited pig kidneys are finally moving the long-stymied field of xenotransplantation forward.
Constellation Energy – Constellation to Launch Crane Clean Energy Center, Restoring Jobs and Carbon-Free Power to The Grid (Sept 20, 2024) Constellation signs its largest-ever power purchase agreement with Microsoft, a deal that will restore TMI Unit 1 to service and keep it online for decades; add approximately 835 megawatts of carbon-free energy to the grid; create 3,400 direct and indirect jobs and deliver more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes.
World Nuclear News – NextEra initiates regulatory process to restart Duane Arnold (January 29, 2025) NextEra Energy has filed a licensing change request for its Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This marks the first step toward seeking approval to restart the plant, which was taken out of service in 2020.
Dr. Rossome – Facebook and Instagram Reel: Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism (June 6, 2025) Dr. Ross Newman is an evidence-based pediatrician.
Physics Girl – Hosted by Dianna Cowern, a science communicator and physics alumna from MIT, this show was part of PBS Digital Studios until 2020. She uses her platform to explore complex physics, astronomy, and science-related topics in simple terms.
Dr. Erin Explains the Universe – Dr. Erin Macdonald has a PhD in Astrophysics (University of Glasgow) and is a self-proclaimed N7 Slytherin from Starfleet Academy. Her series focuses on the science behind science fiction. In 2019 she was hired as the official science consultant for the ever-expanding Star Trek Universe and is currently working on all shows in development. Dr. Erin Explains the Universe was suggested by Sue Kisenwether.
Kyle Hill – Kyle Hill is a science educator with degrees in civil and environmental engineering and science communication. He previously hosted the popular Because Science YouTube series, but now runs The Facility.
xkcd’s What If? – Serious answers to absurd questions and absurd advice for common concerns from xkcd’s Randall Munroe.
Jerry Rig Everything – Zack Nelson has used his love of repairing, simple explanations, and brief tutorials to help millions of people with repairs of their own. Outside of YouTube, his ‘to-the-point’ style of teaching has created instructional and informational videos for manufacturers and factories around the world.
Mark Rober – An engineer and inventor, Mark Rober presents popular science concepts and do-it-yourself gadgets in easy-to-understand terms. He was previously a NASA engineer (where he worked on the Curiosity rover) and a product designer at Apple’s Special Projects Group (where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars). One of his best-known series involves the development of a glitter bomb to combat porch pirates and internet scammers.
Practical Engineering – Grady Hillhouse is a civil engineer in San Antonio, Texas. His channel aims to increase exposure and interest in the field of engineering by highlighting the connection between the world around us and the energy, passion, and thought that goes into making it a nicer place to live.
Not Just Bikes – Stories of great urban planning and urban experiences from the Netherlands and beyond. There are a lot of reasons why Dutch cities are so great; it’s not just bikes.
Streetcraft – Blending urban design and visual storytelling to craft solutions & inspire conversations about change.
Peter Brown (Shop Time) – Peter Brown is a geek with a full set of power tools, and he uses that knowledge to experiment, craft, and have fun.
Boylei Hobby Time – A hobbyist just trying to make fun things and inspire you to be creative.
Ali Spagnola – Musician. Comedian. Artist. Exceptional high fiver. Ali Spagnola is your internet best friend! You never know what her comedy and music videos might entail but you know they’ll always be outrageous, clever, and spread joy.
8-bit Music Theory – This YouTuber loves music, video games, and analyzing and talking about music from video games. He promises that if you are a big nerd, you’ll love it too!
Charles Cornell – Charles Cornell, a YouTuber and online content creator in the music education space, has a professional background as a jazz pianist and composer.
Mark Rober – An engineer and inventor, Mark Rober presents popular science concepts and do-it-yourself gadgets in easy-to-understand terms. He was previously a NASA engineer (where he worked on the Curiosity rover) and a product designer at Apple’s Special Projects Group (where he authored patents involving virtual reality in self-driving cars). One of his best-known series involves the development of a glitter bomb to combat porch pirates and internet scammers.
Frank Howarth – A Portland, Oregon-based architect and woodworker, Frank Howarth uses stop-motion animation to demonstrate his design and building process for a variety of projects and art pieces.
Glen and Friends – Glen and Julie Powell of Toronto host this look into recipes from the Depression Era, including if those recipes still work or can be improved in the modern day. It’s a great look into history and how cooking is both science and art.
I Like To Make Stuff – Bob Clagett likes to make stuff, whether it be home renovations, fixing up a vintage car, or building an astromech droid.
Wendover Productions – Wendover Productions, run by filmmaker Sam Denby, is all about explaining how our world works. From travel, to economics, to geography, to marketing, and more, every video will leave you with a little better understanding of our world. Sam also runs the channel Half as Interesting.
If you have any suggestions for STEAM Saturday, please leave them below in the comments. If your suggestion is used, your name will be credited.
Disclaimers: Any sponsored content or advertising presented in videos and/or links highlighted in STEAM Saturday are not necessarily endorsed or supported by Creative Criticality. Pursue such content and offers at your own risk. The links and videos attached to this post were publicly available at the time of publication, but there is no guarantee of availability after publication.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope that something inspired you to get out there and explore the universe.
STEAM Saturday is a celebration of curiosity and imagination through science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, the very building blocks of the universe around us.
Culture on My Mind Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue June 20, 2025
One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.
In the fourth episode for 2025, the team gets sparkly, sultry, and spectacular with the sensational May Hemmer. The Glamour Geek Revue is Dragon Con’s premier burlesque extravaganza, and in this edition of the Dragon Con Report, May reviews past performances and teases the cosplay creativity and breathtaking routines you might see in this year’s show.
The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
I never met him personally, but his work was some of the best in the franchises I love. I have told the story many times about my introduction to science fiction through Lost in Space and Star Trek reruns. I fell away from Star Trek television in the late ’80s and early ’90s, but came around once again when my friend Ryan introduced me to Star Trek Generations at a small fan gathering in the mid-90s. Around the franchise’s 30th anniversary, after both of us received the Star Trek 30 Years collector’s edition book with my first map of the Trek galaxy, I started a deep dive catch-up through re-runs and the local library.
Among the first books I checked out was the hardcover of Imzadi. It was a wacky adventure full of time travel shenanigans, graced by a Keith Birdsong cover that showcased silver fox Admiral Riker. I soon pivoted to Q-Squared, which blew my young mind with the way Peter David wrote parallel universes. This is a novel I think about quite often. Vendetta followed soon after, and eventually I made it to I, Q, a tale amplified by the voice and experience of John de Lancie.
The first Star Trek book I bought was The Captain’s Daughter. It was an impulse purchase at my local Smith’s supermarket, driven by its role as a sequel to Star Trek Generations. With Captain Sulu on the cover and the promise of further tales of Demora Sulu and Captain Harriman, it was an easy spend for my hard-earned lawn mowing money. It maintains a special place in my heart because of that.
He developed a new series for the Star Trek novels as a spin-off from The Next Generation. Star Trek: New Frontier focused on the crew of the USS Excalibur, commanded by maverick Captain Mackenzie Calhoun. It was the first time that I saw an action figure from the novels – the captain was created from a Playmates DS9/Voyager male body, a generic-looking sword, and a custom-sculpted head – and the series ran for an impressive 21 novels, a handful of crossovers, several comics, and a few short stories in various anthologies. I have only read the first four books, but I liked what I saw and the entire series is on my To Read list.
Peter David even graced the Star Wars universe with an amazing one-off Infinities tale. In an eight-page comic published in Star Wars Tales 1, he crafted a “what if” scenario for R5-D4, the other droid on the Jawa sandcrawler in A New Hope. Long story short, R5-D4 was Force-sensitive in this story, and once he met Luke Skywalker at the Lars Homestead, he saw the future and how important R2-D2 was to the galaxy. In the end, he blows his own motivator and embraces his destiny.
Peter David’s bibliography is immense, and he is one of examples of a working writer. He doesn’t appear on best-selling fiction author lists, but he succeeded and he was loved because of his hustle and passion. His work stood out because he embraced his work, capturing the very essence of those universes with his own special enthusiastic flair. He published novels and comics, and spend decades in pop culture. I know him best from his Star Trek work, but I’m intrigued by his Marvel and DC Comics work as well, especially his time on Supergirl given my recent interest in that character. My friends speak highly of his tenure with Spider-Man.
Peter David is one of my favorites in Star Trek fiction. I’ll remember his working writer wisdom (laced with rapier wit) from his article “Why Writers are Scum“:
If the artist is doing his job, then he’s seen. If the writer is doing his job, he’s not. The writer should be the invisible man. The writer hides behind the characters, melting into the background. The writer’s job is to make the characters take on lives of their own, to be real.
Peter David made my favorite characters real. He will be missed.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind We Don’t Do Kings Here June 14, 2025
Today marks a series of demonstrations and protests across the United States. Known as the “No Kings” movement, it includes more than 1,500 cities and towns to oppose the current administration.
The concept of monarchy in the United States is not popular. In the Revolutionary era, an estimated fifteen to twenty percent of colonists were Loyalists in support of the British crown. As the country entered the Confederation period, Alexander Hamilton (among others) recommended crowning an American monarch. Hamilton even stated in a lengthy speech before the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that the United States should be led by an elective monarch who ruled for life unless impeached. His proposal was rejected in favor of the four-year term system that has survived to the modern day (though term limits came about in 1951).
In a poll conducted by YouGov in 2021, a mere five percent of Americans thought a monarchy in the United States would be a good thing, while 69 percent said it would be a bad thing. Two years later, YouGov found twelve percent favored the idea while 63 percent opposed it.
The concept of “no kings” in America goes all the way back to the Declaration of Independence. Fed up with the tyranny of King George III, the Second Continental Congress unanimously voted to adopt and issue the document on July 4, 1776. Contrary to the current President’s interpretation, the document isn’t “a declaration of unity and love and respect”. On the contrary, the Declaration of Independence is a list of grievances. Quite literally, it is well-crafted breakup letter including a list of things the colonists hated about the monarchy.
Among those grievances – the very reasons why the Continental Congress decided to “dissolve the political bands” that connected them to Great Britain – we can see many parallels to the 45th and 47th presidential administrations:
The colonial assemblies passed various laws for self-governance and the common good, which the King refused to acknowledge;
The King used his arbitrary will (read: executive orders) in place of legislative process to establish policy over the consent of the people;
The King opposed immigration because it would give the colonies too much power;
The King interfered with and improperly influenced the judiciary;
The King established a variety of new offices that harassed citizens, spent the treasury for their own good, and lined their own pockets;
The King used the military for domestic enforcement and oppression;
The King held mock trials in lieu of legitimate justice, including removing the benefit of jury trials;
The King used trade to punish people and imposed additional taxes without consent (tariffs, which are taxes on consumers);
The King transported citizens “beyond the Seas to be tried for pretended offenses;”
The King “excited domestic insurrections among us;”
…and the list goes on.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
The Declaration states “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” The United States government under the Constitution was meant as a democratic republic. The power resides with the people, who elect representatives to govern on their behalf through free and fair elections. The government’s power is derived from the people, and elected officials are responsible to the people.
There is neither bloodline nor divine right to dictate who serves in government. The three separate and co-equal branches of government must operate together with checks and balances. One branch cannot ignore the another simply because it’s inconvenient to uphold the Constitution.
After all, those elected to represent and serve the people swear an oath:
I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
There is no absolute power.
There are no kings.
That is why the people march today.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind There’s a Reason… June 11, 2025
The reimagined Battlestar Galactica was written as a post-9/11 allegory. Over four seasons, it told the story of a group of refugees seeking asylum from violence, oppression, and genocide. Their beacon of freedom, democracy, and opportunity – the shining city on the hill – was Earth.
These words are still relevant twenty years after they were spoken on our television screens.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Talking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the World June 9, 2025
I was a guest recently on The Best Stuff in the World. It’s a podcast for people who like things!
This show is hosted by Kevin Cafferty, and like the tagline says, it’s all about celebrating all that is wonderful in the world, from music and movies to immersive theater and games.
On Episode 35, Kevin invited some top men – Kevin Eldridge of The Flopcast and me – to discuss Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is one of the most iconic adventure films of the last 45 years, brought to life by the team of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and John Williams. Swashbuckling archeologist Indiana Jones was played to perfection by Harrison Ford as he and Karen Allen’s Marion Ravenwood race to defeat the Nazis and find the mythic Ark of the Covenant.
The movie even has a monkey. Just watch out for bad dates.
Along the way, we also touched on the legacy of the Indiana Jones films, novels, video games, and more. You can listen to the episode on the show’s website.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Dragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 Kids June 6, 2025
One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.
In the third episode for 2025, the team talks about options for kids and family programming at Con. Dragon Con has a bit of a reputation from the last few decades of being geared for adults, but in reality it has a vibrant family atmosphere that has been amplified over the last few years. In this episode, the team talks with Jonathan McFarland from the Kids Track and author James Palmer. They share tips on how to navigate Dragon Con with kids and families, including what to see, where to go, and how to make the most of the weekend.
The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind The Quest for Sunshine Preservation (Spring 2025 Edition) March 10, 2025
It’s that time once again.
Daylight saving time is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour in warmer seasons to make darkness fall at a later clock time. It is utilized in several countries around the world and the concept has caused controversy since the earliest proposals. To this day it affects the sleep patterns and productivity of those who practice it.
Many countries and territories abolished the practice after years of practice. The European Union conducted a survey in 2018 and determined that 84 percent of respondents did not want to adjust clocks twice a year. The EU was supposed to stop daylight saving time in 2021 but later asked for a more detailed assessment first.
The United States cannot abolish daylight saving time without federal approval. The practice was established in 1918 with the Standard Time Act and modified in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act (which itself has been revised several times). The government has attempted to abolish routine time changes several times, most recently with the Sunshine Protection Act. The legislation has been introduced multiple times and has died before being passed each time.
For more information (and some humor to brighten your day), check out this 2011 video from CGP Grey.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Culture on My Mind Dragon Con Report 2025 #2: Gaming March 3, 2025
One of the ways that I like to prep for Dragon Con is by listening to the Dragon Con Report podcast. Brought to you by the ESO Network, the podcast is a monthly discussion on all things Dragon Con that counts down to the big event over Labor Day weekend in Atlanta, Georgia.
The show is hosted by Michael Gordon, Jennifer Schleusner, and Channing Sherman, and it delivers news, notes, tips, and tricks for newbies and veterans alike. The Dragon Con Newbies community has a great relationship with the show and the network.
In the second episode for 2025, the DCR team talks gaming! Video games, table top, RPGs, Werewolf, and so many other options are available at Dragon Con, and Casey Sears was on board to help move the discussion around the board.
One of my first trips to Dragon Con involved playing Werewolf in the bowels of the Hyatt with the former Wheel of Time track. It was a great time with some great people. Gaming at Dragon Con is an easy way to make new friends and spend quite a few hours having fun.
The show can be found in video form on YouTube and in audio on the official website and wherever fine podcasts are fed. The Dragon Con Report channels can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can catch their shows live on those platforms or on demand on their website.
Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can’t Let It Go segment on the NPR Politics Podcast where each host brings one thing to the table that they just can’t stop thinking about.
Creative Criticality 