Look, I don’t know if at the end of the day I’ll ever be anything close to a good writer. The few folks who visit here notwithstanding (and I’m grateful that you guys check in every once in a while, believe me!), I don’t think I’ve created anything yet of lasting value or even immediate usefulness. The stuff you see here isn’t generally original or different or anything you couldn’t get from a million other blogs. Nor have I really seen it as my purpose to be any of that. Rather, this blog is something I do for me, as a record of what piques my interest, a catalog of the stuff that rises above the level of noise to what I pay attention to. But all that is no excuse for not making more of an effort. More importantly, even if I was the only one who ever read this blog, I would want to be prouder of the work I’m doing.
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If how one writes is a reflection of how one thinks, I want my writing to start to reflect more of how I see myself: clear, insightful, funny, honest, with broad interests and strong opinions. Taking some time to develop a point or sitting on a post for a while to give my own thoughts a chance to mature will not be time wasted. Nor will the effort I put into the craft of writing be effort wasted.
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That is all… #

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I’m a freelance writer living in Seattle. Welcome to my blog. #

It’s kind of a mess of different ideas right now, since I’m still figuring out what I want it to be. At the moment I’m fine with that. I intend to keep on writing with the faith that what this is meant to be will soon become clear. I’d like to add more comedy stuff soon. I’d also like to do more original pieces, instead of referring to other people’s stuff so much. (Though, referring to other people’s stuff is kind of the point of blogging, so… I told you this was a mess, didn’t I?) #

Aside from figuring out the blog, my other major project is researching Toussaint Louverture and the Haitian revolution of 1791-1804. That project has it’s own blog here. I’m blessed to be occasionally distracted from my studies by glancing out of my window, over the beautiful Puget Sound, to watch stately green and white ferries steaming to and from the snow-capped Olympics in the distance. #

Up until a few years ago I was an actor. The Orlando theme parks provided me with a great living for a while. I studied improv, wrote comedy, produced corporate entertainment events, and performed for the masses. #

I’m interested in the arts, technology, comedy, politics, science, philosophy… lots of stuff. Since science is where the Big Questions are being asked these days, I want to include more writing on that kind of thing when I get the chance. #

I want more people to cite legitimate sources when they write and speak. It’s too easy to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt when you write without sourcing your material, when you express your beliefs and opinions as fact. If you make a claim, back it up. I’ll probably write a bit more about that. If you ever, dear reader, catch me offering you unsubstantiated allegations, I hope you will care enough to let me know of my error. I’m not perfect, nor are any of us; I only hope to keep raising the bar of my own standards day by day. #

Politically, I guess I’m generally more aligned with the policies proffered by Democrats than by Republicans, but I don’t have a party loyalty. I consider myself a patriot and a pragmatist. I believe firmly in the ideals of our Constitution, and I’m for whatever policy provides the most benefit for the largest number of people. #

I intend to write more about logic and reason, something I think too few of us really understand. #

The tagline to this blog means – roughly translated from the Latin – “We gladly feast on those who would subdue us.” I think that’s a nice thought. #

I overwrite. I write too much. I write too many words. Too often. #

Stuart Maxwell
Seattle, WA #

The Staff of Stumax.com

So far, the recurring characters are… #

Jack Hammer (aka, The Hammer)
Jack is an angry young man with a righteous sense of indignation. He writes occasionally when something really egregiously mendacious or stupid catches his attention. He’s coarse and crude, but he gets his point across. He doesn’t take no B.S. from nobody. #

Charles Pickwick
Charles is named after the main character in Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers. More accurately, he is named after the adjective Pickwickian, which Webster’s defines as “intended or taken in a sense other than the obvious or literal one.” Charles is my way of addressing issues in a simple, curious, naive way. He tends to ask a lot of questions, and so becomes the kind of Socratic voice of the blog. #

Other voices will be added just as soon as I can get them to stop talking so loudly all at once in my brain. #

P.S. I follow the blogger ethic of not editing published entries (other than for stylistic or typographical errors), but this entry is the exception. I intend to update it on a regular basis, without notice, until it more or less feels right. #

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