Halforisms, Laughorisms and Others Kinds of Aphorisms

Paragraphorisms: Wordy words of wisdom that take several sentences. Epitaphorisms: Clever final words suitable for tombstones. Laughorisms: Funny sayings. //*bant — that sorry-buzzer sound. a Google search reveals this was originally coined, same idea, by Ambrose Bierce.// Caraforisms: Thoughts under the influence. Stafforisms: Sayings common in workplaces. Girafforisms: (a) Perspectives from high places, (b) sayings Read More …

When Machines Crack the Language Code

Holy freakin’ s-bomb. Think about this: When the day comes that machines master language, we’re all ego-doomed. Since anyone can implant a language chip in their brain (or at least in an earpiece), everybody can instantly find the best words. Then nothing will ever again believe that anyone is clever! No, it’s not you, babe, it’s your chip! Worse, Read More …

The Use of the Stupid

“The use of the useless,” a Taoist philosopher once said. Ah, but there’s also the use of the stupid, and I don’t mean guys like dumb blondes and dumb friends they feel superior to. No, instead of looking for that logical finishing touch, how about adding something that makes no sense? (a) It’ll keep ’em guessing, and maybe they’ll Read More …

Key to Compelling Stories

Canned warning about formulas goes here. But, seriously, don’t most compelling classic stories boil down to something like this? Hero, who has suffered all his or her (often parentless) life, faces seemingless insurmountable obstacles, including at least one persistently present powerful villain, but ultimately gets by with pluck (not just luck), stick-to-it-iveness and a little help from friends — and Read More …