Investing in Stocks vs. Index Funds: Unraveling the Numbers and Unveiling the Prospects

When it comes to investing in the stock market, investors are often faced with a crucial decision: directly picking individual stocks or opting for the simplicity and diversification of index funds. Both approaches offer unique advantages and challenges, making it essential for investors to comprehend the numbers and historical performance to make informed choices. In this article, we dive into a comparative analysis of investing directly in stocks versus investing in index funds, shedding light on their respective track records over the past ten years.

1. Investing in Stocks:

The Appeal: Investing directly in individual stocks can be alluring, as it provides investors with the opportunity to handpick companies they believe have significant growth potential. It also allows for active management of the portfolio, enabling investors to make strategic decisions based on their research and market insights.

The Challenges: However, investing in individual stocks comes with inherent risks. A single company’s performance can significantly impact the entire portfolio. Moreover, stock selection requires substantial time, knowledge, and effort to make informed decisions, and even then, it carries a level of uncertainty.

2. Investing in Index Funds:

The Appeal: Index funds offer investors a simplified and diversified approach to the market. These funds aim to replicate the performance of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average, providing instant exposure to a broad range of companies. This diversification helps mitigate the risk associated with investing in individual stocks.

The Challenges: While index funds offer diversification, they also come with limitations. Investors are bound to the performance of the underlying index, meaning they may miss out on the potential gains of standout performers within the market.

Comparing Performance Over the Past Decade:

Let’s examine the hypothetical performance of two scenarios over the past ten years: one involving an investor directly investing in a diversified portfolio of individual stocks, and the other involving an investor choosing an index fund tracking the S&P 500.

Scenario 1: Direct Stock Investment

Assuming an investor picked a diversified portfolio of individual stocks with average annual returns of 8%, the growth of a $10,000 investment would have resulted in approximately $21,589 over the ten-year period.

Scenario 2: S&P 500 Index Fund

If the same investor chose an S&P 500 index fund with average annual returns mirroring the index’s historical average of around 10%, the $10,000 investment would have grown to approximately $26,750 over the same ten-year period.

The numerical comparison over the past decade illustrates that, on average, index funds have outperformed the performance of individual stock portfolios. This phenomenon can be attributed to the broader diversification and consistent exposure to market growth that index funds provide. However, it is essential to remember that past performance does not guarantee future results, and market conditions can vary over time.

Ultimately, the decision to invest directly in stocks or opt for index funds should align with an individual’s risk tolerance, investment goals, and level of involvement in managing their portfolio. Investors seeking simplicity, broad diversification, and less active management may find index funds an appealing option. On the other hand, investors with a deep understanding of the market and a willingness to invest time in research may find value in selecting individual stocks. Regardless of the chosen approach, a well-informed and disciplined investment strategy is key to achieving long-term financial success in the dynamic world of the stock market.

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Protecting the Voiceless: Combating the Abhorrent Trend of Animal Exploitation on Social Media

The rise of social media platforms, such as TikTok, has transformed the way we connect, entertain, and share experiences. However, alongside the positive aspects, a disturbing trend has emerged—a concerning practice where some users exploit animals for views and engagement. The welfare of innocent creatures is compromised as they are placed in dangerous situations solely for entertainment. In this article, we shed light on the abhorrent trend of animal exploitation on social media and discuss the urgency to protect these voiceless beings from harm.

1. The Disturbing Reality:

On platforms like TikTok, videos showcasing animals in dangerous or stressful situations have garnered attention, becoming viral sensations. These videos often feature pets or wildlife subjected to alarming stunts, startling noises, or situations that invoke fear. Such content poses serious threats to the physical and emotional well-being of animals, raising ethical and moral concerns.

2. Impact on Animal Welfare:

Animals have emotions and sensations, much like humans. Placing them in dangerous scenarios can lead to severe stress, anxiety, and trauma. The quest for online fame should never supersede the well-being of innocent beings, who are unable to consent or comprehend the potential harm they may endure.

3. Normalization of Harmful Behavior:

When videos that exploit animals gain popularity and engagement, it sends the wrong message to impressionable viewers. It normalizes harmful behavior and encourages others to follow suit for the sake of internet fame, perpetuating a dangerous cycle of animal exploitation.

4. Ethical Responsibilities of Social Media Platforms:

Social media platforms must bear the ethical responsibility to combat animal exploitation and ensure that content that harms animals is promptly removed. Implementing strict guidelines and policies to address such issues is crucial in promoting a safe and compassionate online environment.

5. Education and Awareness:

Raising awareness about the negative consequences of animal exploitation on social media is essential. Encouraging users to report harmful content and promoting compassionate animal handling can lead to a positive change in online behavior.

6. Supporting Animal Welfare Organizations:

Supporting animal welfare organizations that rescue and care for abused and exploited animals is an effective way to combat this trend. These organizations play a vital role in rescuing animals from harm and providing them with a safe and loving environment.

7. Influencers as Role Models:

Influencers and content creators on social media platforms hold significant influence over their followers. Encouraging responsible animal content and discouraging harmful practices can create a positive impact and help change the narrative.

The abhorrent trend of exploiting animals on social media is a distressing reminder of our moral responsibility towards the most vulnerable members of our society. As we navigate the digital landscape, it is crucial to prioritize the welfare and safety of animals over fleeting internet fame. Promoting a culture of empathy, respect, and compassion for animals should be at the forefront of our collective efforts. By uniting to combat animal exploitation and promoting a compassionate online community, we can ensure that social media platforms become a force for good, where animals are protected and celebrated rather than harmed for the sake of entertainment. Together, we can protect the voiceless and pave the way for a more compassionate digital era.

The Dawn of a New Era: How Generative AI is Revolutionizing Livestreaming

The world of livestreaming has undergone a seismic transformation with the integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Platforms like Twitch, once known for passive viewer experiences, are now entering a new era of interactive and dynamic content creation. Generative AI brings unprecedented opportunities for content creators to engage their audiences like never before. In this article, we explore how generative AI is reshaping the landscape of livestreaming, revolutionizing content creation, and opening doors to endless creative possibilities.

1. Interactive Storytelling:

Generative AI allows livestreamers to create interactive and adaptive narratives in real-time. Viewers can actively influence the storyline, character development, and plot twists through chat interactions or other engagement mechanisms. This immersive experience blurs the lines between creator and audience, fostering a deeper sense of community and connection.

2. Personalized Content:

With generative AI, livestreamers can customize content for individual viewers based on their preferences, making each viewer’s experience unique. AI-driven recommendation systems analyze viewers’ behaviors, interactions, and interests to serve tailored content, maximizing engagement and viewer satisfaction.

3. AI-Driven Avatars and Characters:

Generative AI empowers creators to develop lifelike avatars and characters that can interact with viewers in real-time. These AI-driven entities can respond to chat messages, answer questions, and simulate human-like behavior, elevating livestreams to a level of interactivity previously unattainable.

4. Real-Time Effects and Augmented Reality:

Generative AI enables livestreamers to incorporate real-time effects, filters, and augmented reality elements seamlessly into their broadcasts. From face filters to virtual backgrounds, AI enhances visual aesthetics and keeps viewers captivated.

5. Auto-Generated Content:

Generative AI can automate certain aspects of content creation, such as generating background music, visuals, or overlays. This not only saves time for creators but also maintains a consistent and polished presentation for the livestream.

6. AI-Enhanced Chat Moderation:

Livestreamers can use AI-powered chat moderation tools to ensure a safe and respectful environment for viewers. AI algorithms can identify and filter inappropriate content, spam, and toxic behavior, fostering a positive community atmosphere.

7. AI-Driven Predictive Analytics:

Generative AI can analyze viewer data and engagement patterns to provide valuable insights and predictive analytics for livestreamers. Creators can optimize content, scheduling, and monetization strategies based on AI-generated recommendations.

The Future of Livestreaming:

As generative AI continues to evolve, the future of livestreaming on platforms like Twitch holds limitless potential:

1. Enhanced Audience Participation:

AI-driven interactivity will further empower viewers to actively participate in livestreams, blurring the boundaries between creators and audiences.

2. Virtual Worlds and Immersive Experiences:

Generative AI will enable the creation of interactive virtual worlds where viewers can explore and interact with AI-driven characters and elements.

3. Personalized Monetization:

AI-powered recommendation systems will revolutionize monetization strategies, presenting personalized content and product offerings tailored to individual viewers.

4. Cross-Platform Integration:

Generative AI can foster seamless integration across multiple livestreaming platforms, expanding the reach and impact of content creators.

5. AI-Assisted Content Curation:

AI algorithms will assist creators in curating relevant and engaging content, optimizing content discovery for viewers.

Generative AI is ushering in a new era of livestreaming, transforming passive viewers into active participants in immersive and interactive content experiences. From personalized storytelling to AI-driven avatars, the possibilities are boundless. As this technology advances, livestreaming platforms like Twitch will continue to evolve, nurturing thriving communities of content creators and engaged audiences. The future of livestreaming is fueled by generative AI’s ability to create unparalleled content, fostering deeper connections and redefining the very nature of content creation and consumption on the digital stage.

Unlocking Creativity Responsibly: Creating High-Quality Datasets without Copyright Infringement

High-quality datasets are the lifeblood of modern AI and machine learning applications, fueling innovation and breakthroughs across various industries. However, the creation of datasets can often be hindered by copyright restrictions, limiting the use of existing data. In this article, we explore proactive approaches to create new high-quality datasets without infringing on copyright laws, fostering responsible AI research and development while respecting intellectual property rights.

1. Data Synthesis and Augmentation:

One effective method to generate new datasets is through data synthesis and augmentation. This involves creating synthetic data or modifying existing data in ways that preserve its integrity while ensuring it no longer infringes on copyright. Techniques like data interpolation, noise addition, and style transfer can augment datasets and produce diverse samples that remain legally compliant.

2. Crowdsourcing and User-Generated Content:

Leveraging crowdsourcing and user-generated content platforms can yield valuable datasets without copyright restrictions. By obtaining consent and clear licensing agreements from contributors, businesses and researchers can curate datasets that are both legally sound and ethically obtained.

3. Collaborative Data Sharing:

Collaboration among researchers, institutions, and organizations can be a powerful tool in dataset creation. Openly sharing non-copyrighted data, while adhering to data privacy and consent standards, promotes knowledge exchange and fosters a sense of community in the AI research landscape.

4. Public Domain and Creative Commons Resources:

The public domain and Creative Commons licenses offer a treasure trove of legally usable data. Data available under these licenses can be freely accessed and utilized for various AI projects, provided proper attribution is given and any usage restrictions are respected.

5. Simulation and Virtual Environments:

For domains where real-world data is challenging to obtain or subject to copyright issues, simulation and virtual environments present viable alternatives. Virtual datasets can be generated to mimic real-world scenarios, ensuring high-quality data without infringing on copyright.

6. Domain Transfer and Style Transfer:

By leveraging domain transfer and style transfer techniques, researchers can transform copyrighted data into new domains or styles, creating novel datasets while avoiding infringement. These methods can be particularly useful in artistic and creative applications.

7. Data Scraping with Permission:

When scraping data from online sources, seeking explicit permission from content owners is paramount. Collaborating with data providers or adhering to terms of use can ensure compliance with copyright regulations and legal usage of the collected data.

The creation of new high-quality datasets is essential for driving AI innovation, but copyright restrictions can pose significant challenges. By adopting responsible and ethical practices, researchers, businesses, and institutions can navigate this complex landscape while honoring intellectual property rights. Embracing data synthesis, crowdsourcing, collaboration, and public domain resources empowers AI developers to create legally compliant datasets. Moreover, simulation, style transfer, and domain transfer techniques offer powerful alternatives for generating new data while avoiding copyright infringement.

As the AI field continues to evolve, responsible dataset creation becomes a shared responsibility among researchers, developers, and organizations. By embracing legal, ethical, and transparent practices, the AI community can foster a culture of respect for intellectual property while driving the advancements that propel us into a more innovative and sustainable future. Let us collectively uphold the principles of responsible AI research and development, creating datasets that enrich the AI landscape while preserving the rights of content creators.

Distinguishing a Wizard Robe from a Monk Robe: Adding Enchantment to Your Outfit

Wizard robes and monk robes are both iconic and enchanting garments, often featuring flowing silhouettes and a sense of mystery. However, their distinct characteristics set them apart, and understanding the differences can help you embrace the allure of each style with confidence. In this article, we explore the key features that distinguish a wizard robe from a monk robe and offer creative ways to spice up your outfit if people mistake the two, allowing you to express your unique style and embrace the magic of your fashion choices.

Distinguishing a Wizard Robe from a Monk Robe:

1. Wizard Robe:

– Length and Flow: Wizard robes typically feature a longer and more dramatic length, often reaching the ankles or the floor. The fabric tends to flow gracefully, giving an air of mystery and grandeur to the ensemble.

– Dramatic Sleeves: Wizard robes often showcase dramatic, wide sleeves that evoke a sense of enchantment and power. These sleeves may feature bell shapes or billowing cuts, further enhancing the magical aura of the robe.

– Hooded Design: Wizard robes commonly come with a hood, adding an extra touch of mystique to the outfit. The hood can be worn up or down, depending on the desired effect.

– Embellishments and Symbols: Wizard robes may feature ornate embellishments, such as embroidered stars, moons, or mystical symbols, which enhance the magical theme.

2. Monk Robe:

– Simple and Modest: Monk robes are characterized by their simplicity and modesty. They are typically less ornate and dramatic than wizard robes, featuring a more practical and utilitarian design.

– Shorter Length: Monk robes often have a shorter length, reaching around knee-level or slightly below, making them more suitable for ease of movement and practicality.

– Straight and Tapered Sleeves: Monk robes usually have straight and tapered sleeves, which allow for easy activities like meditation and prayer.

– Belted Waist: A key feature of monk robes is the belt or sash that cinches the waist, creating a structured yet comfortable fit.

Spicing Up Your Outfit:

If people mistake your outfit for a monk robe when you’re going for a wizard look or vice versa, here are some creative ways to add enchantment and distinctiveness to your attire:

1. Wizard-Inspired Accessories: Pair your wizard robe with mystical accessories like a crystal pendant, an antique wand, or a brooch featuring magical symbols. These additions will enhance the wizardly vibe and set your outfit apart.

2. Elaborate Staff or Prop: Carry an elaborate staff or magical prop to emphasize your wizard look. You can create your own unique staff or purchase one that complements your outfit.

3. Embroidered or Embellished Details: Add embroidered stars, moons, or magical symbols to your robe to give it a distinct wizardly touch.

4. Monastic-Inspired Elements: Incorporate a prayer bead necklace or wear sandals with your monk robe to add monastic elements to your outfit.

5. Layer with Cloaks or Capes: Layer your robe with a cloak or cape featuring intricate designs or magical prints to enhance the wizard or monk aesthetic.

Conclusion:

Distinguishing between a wizard robe and a monk robe lies in their distinct features and design elements. Understanding the differences allows you to embrace the enchantment of each style with confidence. Spice up your outfit by incorporating wizard-inspired accessories, embellishments, and props to enhance the magical allure of your look. Alternatively, add monastic elements or layer with cloaks to accentuate the mystique of your monk robe. Embrace your unique style and celebrate the magic of your fashion choices, making a statement that captures the allure of both worlds in your own enchanting way.

Unveiling the Risks: The Dubious Legality and Perils of ICOs

The rise of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) has become a magnet for entrepreneurs seeking alternative fundraising methods. Promising rapid capital generation and access to a global pool of investors, ICOs have surged in popularity. However, beneath the surface lies a murky landscape of dubious legality and inherent risks. In this article, we delve into the world of ICOs, examining the potential pitfalls and regulatory uncertainties that raise red flags for both investors and project creators.

1. A New Frontier for Fundraising:

ICOs have presented a novel means for startups and blockchain projects to raise funds, bypassing traditional channels like venture capital or initial public offerings (IPOs). By issuing digital tokens or coins, companies can attract investors globally, often without adhering to the rigorous regulatory requirements that accompany conventional fundraising methods.

2. Lack of Regulatory Clarity:

ICOs have flourished in an environment marked by regulatory ambiguity. The lack of clear guidelines has created a fertile ground for dubious actors to take advantage of investors’ enthusiasm. The absence of established frameworks has also hindered investor protection and raised concerns about fraudulent schemes.

3. Fraudulent Projects and Scams:

The allure of ICOs has attracted a significant number of projects with little substance or legitimacy. In some cases, fraudulent ICOs have duped investors with empty promises and exaggerated claims, leading to financial losses and disillusionment.

4. Legal and Regulatory Repercussions:

As the ICO landscape matures, regulatory authorities around the world are scrutinizing these fundraising mechanisms. Unregistered and non-compliant ICOs are facing increased legal challenges, with regulators stepping in to protect investors and maintain market integrity.

5. Volatility and Market Speculation:

The unregulated nature of ICOs has contributed to extreme price volatility and speculative behavior in the market. Investors, driven by FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), may engage in speculative buying, leading to price bubbles and sharp corrections.

6. Investor Protection:

Unlike traditional fundraising methods, ICOs often lack adequate investor protection measures. Investors face significant risks, including limited recourse for losses and potential difficulty in tracking down fraudulent actors.

7. Project Viability and Sustainability:

Many ICO projects lack a viable business model or a clear path to sustainability beyond the fundraising stage. The absence of regulatory oversight may enable unscrupulous actors to collect funds without any intention of delivering on promises or building a successful project.

While ICOs may have initially promised a new frontier for fundraising and innovation, their rapid growth has brought to light significant risks and legal uncertainties. The lack of regulatory clarity, coupled with the prevalence of fraudulent projects, underscores the need for caution and due diligence in the ICO space. Investors must exercise prudence and thoroughly research projects before participating in token sales.

To foster a more sustainable and investor-friendly ICO landscape, regulatory bodies must work towards providing clear guidelines and standards. Striking a balance between encouraging innovation and safeguarding investors is critical to building a responsible and legitimate ICO ecosystem. As the cryptocurrency space continues to evolve, vigilance and responsible practices are essential to weed out fraudulent schemes and ensure the long-term viability of ICOs as a credible fundraising option for legitimate blockchain projects.

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An Update! Book 3 is out!

You can now purchase the third book in my now-trilogy, Beyond Home below, in e-book or paperback! The adventure of Darrien, the farmer, continues, as he journeys home. The road home is filled with dangers, within and without, and he’ll have to face fears of his father, failure, and foes to find his fate!

Buy it here!

Just some thoughts: the crypto crash

So this past month or so has been quite the ride for the crypto markets as a whole, and I just wanted to share some thoughts!

Mostly, I think that this crash is actually a good thing! The bad of course being the tens of millions of dollars that has been lost by investors who were late to the game. But that’s about it in that category!

“How is this a good thing,” you are almost certainly asking, and that’s a pretty fair question, especially with those markets tanking alongside the stock market, it just seems like there’s no good news to be had.

Well, the first piece of good from this is the pruning of a number of griftcoins, non-fungible griftcoins, and cryptocurrencies that have too limited and unnecessary use-cases.

The stories of the pump-and-dump ICO are rampant, with many simply being impractical, badly implemented, or just a scheme to make a few people a bunch of money selling air to suckers. With many of these crashing, losing most of their value or even nearly going to $0 in some cases, there will be in general, more oversight, if not from government regulators, from investment firms, before a fund now simply decides to incorporate crypto into their holdings.

Also with some of the more frivolous, or badly executed NFTs, there will hopefully be reforms in the way that the system works, as the carbon footprint for an NFT on the ETH blockchain is simply too high at the moment to be practical in the long term, and such projects should only be added if they bring or create some kind of real value.

A final thought on NFTs before I finish this ramble today is about the use of those that only serve to be collectible cards or art-without-rights should be removed, or be severely limited. To get ownership of an image on the blockchain, but to not actually get any rights that would normally be associated with that ownership, other than the ability to resell it I think is a destructive model to the crypto community. NFTs while they do have potential use cases that could really be… well… useful, they have become a laughing stock, with many outside the community poking fun, or even getting angry about them. I’ve been around since the beginning and I really do believe in the possibilities that blockchain technology can bring, but we should really keep some limits in mind.

On an (almost) unrelated note, I recently discovered my crypto-pamphlet available for sale on Google books! I thought that it had been lost to the sands of time, but you can get it in all of it’s sage and cringe here!

And if you’re more interested in works of fiction, you can get the first two books of my series here and here respectively!

See you next time I have some thoughts! (It’ll be soon)

A Review of All of AHS (so far)

Wow, so American Horror Story is 9 seasons at the moment, which is a pretty impressive run for a Netflix series. I had seen up through “Hotel” previously, but recently binge-watched the whole series up through 1984 (the most recent release as of now). I think that the series is difficult to judge overall, at least not without getting into each of the seasons first.

So a bit about the series and the format first. Each season is themed, or located around a particular location or story. Many of these themes are related to some staple of the horror genre. Most of the actors in each season play roles in other seasons, which means that each season you get to pick out the new roles that each actor plays. Personally, I really like this, it allows for actors to show a pretty broad range over the course of the series, instead of playing the same character for a long time, as you might usually see with a series that has been running about a decade. In a way, the new themes and settings keep the series fresh, and most of the stories don’t overstay their welcomes.

The first season of American Horror Story is “Haunted House”. It’s a really solid start to the series. This season introduces us to the world, and tells us a bit about how ghosts work in this series, and the importance of property lines and remains. Most of the characters feel pretty compelling, and you become invested in nearly all of the characters’ story lines. By the end of the season, it really gets your mind working about some of the possibilities, because while a lot of the stories feel wrapped up, there are a number of loose ends. If you watch the season, and don’t continue on from there, it feels like a nice, contained story.

The story takes place mostly in the then-recent 2011 Los Angeles, with some flash backs to the character’s backstories, that show the history of the horrors that have occurred within the house, and how those horrors continue to haunt the halls. More than simply bad things happening, or ghosts, there’s motivations behind a lot of the madness that is at least mostly clear and understandable. I think that what impressed me though was how many more complex issues the series touches on, giving a more thorough commentary than “school shooter bad”, starting the series’ long struggle with nature versus nurture.

As an anthology series though, the jump in themes from season one to two can be a bit jarring, as the theme goes from Haunted House, to Asylum. This second season takes place mostly in 1964 Massachusetts. The disconnect between the settings allows for your brain to disconnect your brain from the characters that the actors originally play, giving them new personas, and completely disconnecting them from the first season. It also really feels different, as there’s no ghosts in this season. There’s aliens, and Nazis, and inhumane treatment of asylum patients, serial killers, both real and framed, but no ghosts.

This season has a modern-day component to it, but it is scarce in comparison to the first season, but towards the end of the season, most of the pieces connect, with the past connecting to the modern day for a dramatic climax, and while not a happy ending for sure, is mostly satisfying, though the abductions of characters, and the aliens, while shown to definitely have been real, don’t get any follow-up. This was another season that really drew me in, and that I really enjoyed, though I did feel that wrapping up the story, and the epilogue bits were a bit stretched out.

After season two though, we get into season three “Coven”. This season takes place in its concurrent 2013 for the most part, with flashbacks to the 1830’s. It is in this season that we get the introduction of magic, and a glimpse into the afterlife of non-ghosts. It is in this season where pieces from the previous seasons intersect, creating what started by feeling like little callbacks, but later become important threads that arise later.

After this, the seasons continue to change settings, from a freak-show circus, to a very, very haunted hotel in California, to then Roanoke, to Cult, to Apocalypse, and then jump back in time to 1984, with a tenth season on the way. At the beginning of each season I enjoy seeing often many of the same actors play new roles, seeing their ranges, and feel a little delight when a character played by one actress encounters another character, played by the same actress, and the actress must play off of herself. I also enjoy seeing the types of horror tropes that the show both uses and subverts. The series has no problems killing off characters, so there’s an excitement knowing that all of the characters are actually at risk, and it is likely that most or all of them will die. Of course, the show also tells a great story each season, usually with some mysterious elements that will keep you engaged for each season.

Each season is so different than the others that it makes it difficult to judge the work as a whole. A few of the seasons feel a little bit padded out, but overall, the story moves at a decent pace for seasons that are well over five hours long a piece. Additionally, each season has its own statements, on morality, on good and evil, nature and nurture, and while I don’t always agree with some of the sentiments that the show settles on, but it is also pretty clear that their world isn’t exactly our world, and in fact, some of the things that people decide make sense in a world where there are witches, warlocks, ghosts, and demons.

Overall, I enjoyed the show a lot, and look forward to additional seasons, and to find out what ideas they continue to come up with, I am especially curious, as they have apparently cast Macaulay Culkin for a role in season 10. To give a score, I give the series an overall 8/10, while there are aspects that can be improved, you can tell that the people working on it care, and that a lot of hearts were put into it.

Moving With The Times: A Discworld Retrospective, Part 1, The Funny Part

Terry Pratchett’s Discworld novels are a series that I wish that I had read earlier in life. I found them at a time in my life where I still wanted fantasy adventures, but I needed humor. I found the balance in this series when I came across the first book digitally on my library. I had seen a few references to the series beforehand, and had been curious. Little did I know that this fun, humorous series would also be full of politics, thoughts on technology and progress, and would make me so sad to get to the end of.

Each book follows the story of one of a few settings, or a couple of characters in that setting. All of the places are on the Discworld, a flat world on the back of four elephants atop a giant turtle, swimming through space. Some of the stories are big and apocalyptic, some of them are small, but they each have something to say about some topic on which Pratchett felt.

Towards the beginning of the series, each book has a tendency to really talk about a couple of issues. Death, feminism, power, the importance of stories, religion, cultural media forms like movies and music. Since each of these books tends to deal with a pretty limited scope of issues, and tends to be more focused, the world tends to be pretty humorous and even somewhat random. Even the world of the disc is pretty chaotic in the first number of books. In a way, it sort of reflected the less connected, more wild and chaotic world that we used to live in. However, as the series progresses, the world becomes more orderly, but the books engage in a more dense set of ideas.

It’s difficult however to specifically define where these shifts happen. I think that as the world that Pratchett created developed, filled out, becoming more alive, that it allowed for him to dive deeper into the nuances of some of the ideas that he wanted to comment on or critique. If I had to place a point though, I would say The Fifth Elephant, with its international political drama, and commentaries on cultural relations, is really where the series begins to really come into its own. One could argue that Jingo, a few books earlier might also be a good place, but I feel that the books between the two, while interesting, fit more with the first group than the second.

Up to this point though, many of the books end up being parodies of other works, but with the Discworld flare and humor, though it can sometimes be hard to tell when Pratchett is satirizing other cultures, versus him satirizing what some people think about other cultures.