A review of Clement Wood's 1936 'Complete Rhyming Dictionary and Poet's Craft Book', discussing its historical context and value as a resource for aspiring poets during a transitional period in poetry. Longer summary

This review discusses 'The Complete Rhyming Dictionary and Poet's Craft Book' by Clement Wood, published in 1936. The reviewer explores the book's historical context, its approach to poetry, and its relevance in the transition between classical and modern poetry. The book is presented as a valuable resource for aspiring poets, offering both a guide to traditional forms and an introduction to newer styles like free verse. The review highlights the book's strengths in curation, its balanced perspective on poetic evolution, and its usefulness as a training tool. The reviewer also discusses the changing landscape of poetry in the early 20th century and how Wood's book captures this transitional period. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines and critiques the claim that good-vs-evil narratives in popular culture are a recent, nationalism-driven phenomenon, offering alternative explanations for their prevalence. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the theory that good-vs-evil narratives in popular culture are a relatively recent invention, emerging after 1700 and possibly tied to nationalism. He critiques this idea, pointing out examples of good-vs-evil stories in older myths and religious texts. Scott proposes alternative explanations for the rise of these narratives, including democratization, expanding moral circles, and the memetic superiority of well-crafted good-vs-evil stories. He draws parallels between the spread of Christianity and the popularity of good-vs-evil narratives, suggesting that both offer a more appealing worldview than their predecessors. The post ends by speculating on the future evolution of such narratives. Shorter summary