Gholas and the Eternal Golden Braid

On September 30, 2025, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University announced they had developed functional eggs from human skin cells. Immediately, I thought of Frank Herbert’s gholas. Duncan Idaho is the most-reborn man in Dune. From his first appearance on Arrakis, he is marked as archetype: Swordmaster of Ginaz, sensual, loyal, utterly alive. (JasonContinue reading “Gholas and the Eternal Golden Braid”

War on Excellence – Redux

When I read that Milan Kundera died, I looked over at my barrister bookcase with the intent to re-read his novels. His works are on my modern authors shelf, along with Jim Harrison, Umberto Eco, McCarthy, Marquez, and Vonnegut. Although Putin’s invasion of Ukraine gives extra relevance to Kundera, I lingered over Kurt Vonnegut. IContinue reading “War on Excellence – Redux”