Michael Falkner

Culture on My Mind – Classic Concentration Culture on My MindClassic ConcentrationJanuary 19, 2026 Almost as a rule, members of Generation X talk about watching The Price is Right when they stayed home from school. That show was engaging and energetic, and acted as a feel-good balm when you really felt like crap. On those sick days, The Price is Right was one popular option. Another was…

Culture on My Mind – Classic Concentration

Culture on My MindClassic ConcentrationJanuary 19, 2026 Almost as a rule, members of Generation X talk about watching The Price is Right when they stayed home from school. That show was engaging and energetic, and acted as a feel-good balm when you really…

Culture on My Mind – Star Trek at 60: Physical Appearances in the 24th Century Culture on My MindStar Trek at 60: Physical Appearances in the 24th CenturyJanuary 15, 2026 In May 2007, Patrick Stewart shared an anecdote about a bald man being cast as a Star Trek captain. The interview clip can be found on the BBC's YouTube channel. Culture on My Mind is inspired by the weekly Can't Let It Go segment on the…

Culture on My Mind – Star Trek at 60: Physical Appearances in the 24th Century

Culture on My MindStar Trek at 60: Physical Appearances in the 24th CenturyJanuary 15, 2026 In May 2007, Patrick Stewart shared an anecdote about a bald man being cast as a Star Trek captain. The interview clip can be…

Culture on My Mind – The 2025 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar   Culture on My MindThe 2025 LEGO Star Wars Advent CalendarJanuary 12, 2026 My family has been doing the LEGO advent calendars since 2015 and I chronicle the daily builds on Instagram. Each of the annual box sets has been spotlighted on this site. This year, we continued our tradition of building the Star Wars calendars. The joy of this calendar is seeing how LEGO interprets ships and locales from the nearly 60 years of adventures in the galaxy far, far away.

Culture on My Mind – The 2025 LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar

  Culture on My MindThe 2025 LEGO Star Wars Advent CalendarJanuary 12, 2026 My family has been doing the LEGO advent calendars since 2015 and I chronicle the daily builds on Instagram. Each of the annual box sets has been spotlighted on…

Culture on My Mind – Narrative Diversions (Summer and Autumn 2025 Edition) Culture on My MindNarrative Diversions(Summer and Autumn 2025 Edition)January 5, 2026 Narrative Diversions is a look at the various pop culture things I've been watching, reading, and playing over the last few months. This edition covers July 2025 through December 2025. Since this edition is behind due to my work schedule, most of the descriptions will be shorter.

Culture on My Mind – Narrative Diversions (Summer and Autumn 2025 Edition)

Culture on My MindNarrative Diversions(Summer and Autumn 2025 Edition)January 5, 2026 Narrative Diversions is a look at the various pop culture things I've been watching, reading, and playing over the last few months. This…

Culture on My Mind – 2025 Culture on My Mind2025December 31, 2025 It has been a rough year. I was at a yule party a week or so ago. It was a grand time with good food, great discussions, and the meeting of a few new friends. It also held a few moments of reflection as a small group of us gathered around the table as the night wound down.

Culture on My Mind – 2025

Culture on My Mind2025December 31, 2025 It has been a rough year. I was at a yule party a week or so ago. It was a grand time with good food, great discussions, and the meeting of a few new friends. It also held a few moments of reflection as a small group of us gathered…

Culture on My Mind – Drew Struzan Culture on My MindDrew StruzanNovember 24, 2025 Drew Struzan was an huge part of my childhood and geek upbringing. His artwork graced album covers, book covers, collectibles, and over 150 movie posters from the 1970s through the 2010s. His airbrush technique was a favorite of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and was developed during his years working on B-movies.

Culture on My Mind – Drew Struzan

Culture on My MindDrew StruzanNovember 24, 2025 Drew Struzan was an huge part of my childhood and geek upbringing. His artwork graced album covers, book covers, collectibles, and over 150 movie posters from the 1970s through the 2010s. His airbrush technique was a…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #11: Dragon Cults Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #11: Dragon CultsNovember 5, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #11: Dragon Cults

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #11: Dragon CultsNovember 5, 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…

Culture on My Mind – The Quest for Sunshine Preservation (Autumn 2025 Edition) Culture on My MindThe Quest for Sunshine Preservation(Autumn 2025 Edition)November 3, 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.

Culture on My Mind – The Quest for Sunshine Preservation (Autumn 2025 Edition)

Culture on My MindThe Quest for Sunshine Preservation(Autumn 2025 Edition)November 3, 2025 It's that time once again. Daylight saving time is the practice of advancing clocks by one hour in warmer seasons to make…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #10: 2025 Dragon Con Debrief Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #10: 2025 Dragon Con DebriefOctober 27, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #10: 2025 Dragon Con Debrief

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #10: 2025 Dragon Con DebriefOctober 27, 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,…

Debrief: Dragon Con 2025 Debrief: Dragon Con 2025 Atlanta, GA – August 28 through September 1, 2025 Dragon Con 2025 has come to an end. Despite being a busier year, it seemed a lot lower key and easier to manage than in previous years. Attendance was reported at 75,000, up 3,000 from last year. That attendance number was capped by badge sales, and traffic management felt much better this year.

Debrief: Dragon Con 2025

Debrief: Dragon Con 2025 Atlanta, GA – August 28 through September 1, 2025 Dragon Con 2025 has come to an end. Despite being a busier year, it seemed a lot lower key and easier to manage than in previous years. Attendance was reported at 75,000, up 3,000 from last year.…

Culture on My Mind – We Don’t Do Kings Here (Round Two) Culture on My MindWe Don't Do Kings Here (Round Two)October 18, 2025 Today marks another 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. This follows the first round of protests held on June 14th when millions of citizens took to the streets.

Culture on My Mind – We Don’t Do Kings Here (Round Two)

Culture on My MindWe Don't Do Kings Here (Round Two)October 18, 2025 Today marks another 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…

Culture on My Mind – Narrative Diversions (Winter and Spring 2025 Edition) Culture on My MindNarrative Diversions(Winter and Spring 2025 Edition)September 24, 2025 Narrative Diversions is a look at the various pop culture things I've been watching, reading, and playing over the last few months. This edition covers January 2025 through June 2025. Since this edition is so far behind due to my work schedule, most of the descriptions will be shorter.

Culture on My Mind – Narrative Diversions (Winter and Spring 2025 Edition)

Culture on My MindNarrative Diversions(Winter and Spring 2025 Edition)September 24, 2025 Narrative Diversions is a look at the various pop culture things I've been watching, reading, and playing over the last few months.…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #9: Crunch Time to Con Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #9: Crunch Time to ConAugust 28, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #9: Crunch Time to Con

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #9: Crunch Time to ConAugust 28, 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…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #8: Revelry Round Up Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #8: Revelry Round UpAugust 27, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #8: Revelry Round Up

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #8: Revelry Round UpAugust 27, 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…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #7: Bunny Hutch Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #7: Bunny HutchAugust 27, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #7: Bunny Hutch

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #7: Bunny HutchAugust 27, 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…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #6: Trek Track Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #6: Trek TrackAugust 26, 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #6: Trek Track

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #6: Trek TrackAugust 26, 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…

Dragon Con 2025 Dragon Con 2025 Atlanta, GA – August 28 through September 1, 2025 Dragon Con! It's an annual tradition for me. It's also a family reunion of sorts as I catch up with dear friends from around the world. This year will be my sixteenth time attending and my tenth year as an attending professional. If you plan to be there, you can find me at various places over Labor Day weekend according to the schedule below. 

Dragon Con 2025

Dragon Con 2025 Atlanta, GA – August 28 through September 1, 2025 Dragon Con! It's an annual tradition for me. It's also a family reunion of sorts as I catch up with dear friends from around the world. This year will be my sixteenth time attending and my tenth year as an attending…

Culture on My Mind – The Word and the Fire Culture on My MindThe Word and the FireJune 16, 2025 Every so often a news story crosses my desk about a home or church that burned to the ground. What makes them stand out is when journalists emphasize how a bible "miraculously" survived the fire. The most notable example in American history comes from the fire that consumed Peshtigo, Wisconsin in October 1871.

Culture on My Mind – The Word and the Fire

Culture on My MindThe Word and the FireJune 16, 2025 Every so often a news story crosses my desk about a home or church that burned to the ground. What makes them stand out is when journalists emphasize how a bible "miraculously" survived the fire. The…

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto Knights Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto KnightsJuly 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto Knights

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #5: Palmetto KnightsJuly 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…

STEAM Saturday – Cosmic Dawn and Birthday Tortoise STEAM SaturdayCosmic Dawn and Birthday TortoiseJune 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.

STEAM Saturday – Cosmic Dawn and Birthday Tortoise

STEAM SaturdayCosmic Dawn and Birthday TortoiseJune 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…

My apologies. I was working on a site refresh last night and somehow a burst of old posts got shared here.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek RevueJune 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek Revue

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #4: Glamour Geek RevueJune 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…

Culture on My Mind – We Don’t Do Kings Here Culture on My MindWe Don't Do Kings HereJune 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.

Culture on My Mind – We Don’t Do Kings Here

Culture on My MindWe Don't Do Kings HereJune 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…

Culture on My Mind – There’s a Reason… Culture on My MindThere'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 – There’s a Reason…

Culture on My MindThere'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…

Culture on My Mind – Talking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the World Culture on My MindTalking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the WorldJune 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.

Culture on My Mind – Talking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the World

Culture on My MindTalking Raiders on The Best Stuff in the WorldJune 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…

Raiders of the Lost Ark | The Best Stuff In The World it's the mileage

New episode of THE BEST STUFF IN THE WORLD podcast, talking all things RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK with Kevin from @flopcast.bsky.social and @womprat99.bsky.social - it’s a great episode. Trust me.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 Kids Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 KidsJune 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.

Culture on My Mind – Dragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 Kids

Culture on My MindDragon Con Report 2025 #3: DC 4 KidsJune 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…

President Trump appearing to sleep at a Cabinet meeting.

He looks tired. Don't you think he looks tired?

How to change a swastika into a message of love

How to change a swastika that cant be removed

It's funny how Google/YouTube claim they're running longer ads so we have "fewer ad breaks" during "long videos," yet they just ran three minutes of ads during a 30 minute ScreenCrush video.

That's ten percent, breaking at very awkward places in the video.