Oh I love these! I am a professional writer starting out in the horror genre after years of writing nonfiction. I like to write horror that bends our ideas on what is truly terrifying. I have a penchant for gothic conventions and ghost stories. I'd like to haunt as a positive spirit for the living.

I took a bit of a holiday vacation, but I am back with The Philosopher's Shirt, with an article on Simone de Beauvoir's concept of objectification. Beauvoir was an early influence of mine years ago. #philsky #feminism the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Just a friendly reminder that I will be blocking any pro-AI accounts I encounter here. Happy Holidays. Please make use of the many, many wonderful things out there that are made by your fellow humans. :)

I think a big part of why I haven't pursued publishing a full length book of any sort is because it seems to me that every writer has to also be a self-promoter. I loathe that aspect more than I can say. I am awkward on camera and I hate talking about myself. I'd rather talk about the subject.

Once I hit 40, I was glad that I could finally fully embrace becoming the curmudgeon that I've always wanted to be. Cheers.

This is disturbing and sad.

As someone who is asexual, I am always intrigued when I see ace people represented in books. I haven't read these, but I love representation.

Need to pick up some extra work in a job that will do some good? If you have experience in communications, this may be the side hustle for you. :)

I sucked it up and started my PhD application for Emory. All the inferiority issues I've had since I entered undergrad 21 years ago came back in a rush. At 40, I have an MA, a publication, and experience, but it still doesn't feel like enough. That little voice will always say I don't belong here.

It's not really the 16th anymore, but I would be remiss if I did not wish my beloved Jane Austen a wonderful 250th birthday. Austen accompanied me throughout my life, helping me understand everything from my asexuality to how to write well. Cheers to my girl Austen!

Giving this baby a reshare as Marx is incredibly influential to me.

The newest philosophy podcast episodes! The communist manifesto, proof of the external world, analytic or continental philosophy, the invention of good and evil, near-death experiences, and more. #philsky philosophypodcasthub.substack.com/p/new-episod...

I've been a #writer since I was a kid. For years and years, everyone I've met who has encountered my writing has been delighted and complimentary. Yet, for so, so many years, I thought all these compliments were out of pity. More attached below:

Today I share my latest article for The Philosopher's Shirt, addressing important criticisms of communism, and why Karl Marx is not Santa. A Marxist myself, I feel this is an important piece; we should always think critically about our beliefs. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I don't want to hear from pro-AI accounts. I continue blocking. I experimented with generative AI when it first came out. I worked for a company that never paid me after I quit for ethical concerns. Please don't listen to the AI panacea people. It won't help everything. #writing

Sometimes, writing (even for a popular audience) can be triggering. I just finished writing a piece that details some very valid criticisms of Marxist communism. I had to return to some examples of some very disturbing things from history. And now, I feel sad and deflated. I need a hug. #philsky

I am terribly chuffed to announce that my little romantic short story for the anti-Hallmark crowd will be published in a winter anthology soon! "Love at the Winter Funeral" is a sweet little story about a stressed goth who meets her true love through a horror fan site. #booksky #writer

A good to know. I use Workspace a lot for the work I do as it is very convenient and the UX is decent. However, this is a big yikes and I will be saying nope, nope, nope.

And here comes new stuff. In my newest blog post for The Philosopher's Shirt, I talk about the study of ethics and why we need it. Please feel free to read here and/or discuss. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I know that Bluesky is a shorter length social option, but I really want to know WHY people recommend the books they do. I see a lot of people just posting covers, but what speaks to you? What bares its soul to you to make you post it? Tell me about your favorite book, please! And why! #booksky

Precisely this. If you teach young people how to think, rather than what to think, you equip them with the critical tools for calling out injustice, questioning authority, and judging ethical mores. People in power don't like that. They want to keep that to themselves.

To sort of piggyback off the last post I made, I struggle a lot connecting with people in general. This hasn't always been the case, but I didn't always have PTSD. Being older and having very high anxiety has made it difficult to make any new friends. This is compounded by my move to Atlanta.

I sincerely like Bluesky as a platform of shared interests, but I often feel I don't connect with people here very easily. I'd love to connect with people here in a meaningful way, especially since I am finally leaving Facebook by the end of the year. The harassment and ethical issues are too much.

Those of you who write, I am also curious. What is your worst writing habit? Mine is...procrastination.

I often think about who "counts" as a philosopher. I frequently see people denigrating women who were engaged in philosophy. Also, I heard that Hildegard of Bingen doesn't count because she's a nun. And feminists don't count. It honestly feels arbitrary to say who is or who isn't. #philsky

My latest for The Philosopher's Shirt. We discuss the concept "means of production." ~5 years ago, I bought this shirt from TPS because I thought it was hilarious (and wanted to see who would notice). Never thought I'd get to write for them! #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

Been thinking of gender neutral wrapped books as gift options for my online store. These tend to be aimed toward women, but everyone should have a chance to have something nice. If you got a wrapped book experience, what would be nice little additions for you? #booksky

This is relatable. I often feel as though I need to match the wallpaper, so I repaper myself in an attempt to become invisible.

I frankly worry about AI from an ethical perspective. The robots eating us, Terminator style, is one thing. But the real questions we should be asking involve the types of people common use of generative AI could turn us into. How will it affect human nature and personhood? And how should we use it?

I spent yesterday visiting Biltmore Estate. While it was one heck of a house, I felt a little haunted afterward. The Gilded Age excess of this largest house in the United States struck me as incredibly tasteless, as well as its pretensions to turning the Vanderbilt family into American aristocracy.

This curmudgeon hasn't posted in a while because I am on vacation. Sooooon.

The early manuscripts are some of the best work, some of the most hopeful ideas on the nature of humanity.

My employer, The Philosopher's Shirt, is gearing up for the holidays. One of my favorite of their designs is the topic in the newest post. Let's look at the nature of love in this holiday whammy. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I am absurdly proud to receive the hard copy of the horror anthology in which I have a story. The Haunted Quill is out now and I am beaming. Spooky books must be shared. #booksky #writer #horror

Half of the writing process is trying to avoid the writing process. #writing #writer #philsky

An interesting update.

If you feel called, answer the call. I don't remotely do anything related to philsci, but if you do, here's a chance!

Definitely worth a repost. Women philosophers exist and are worthy of study equal to their male counterparts.

ICYMI: "On the Marginalisation of Women in #Philosophy and #Science" Athene Donald, Francesca Peacock, & Jennifer Park on the importance of recovering women's work, stereotypes, myth of gendered ways of thinking, and who else was overlooked. #Feminism www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTK8...

Please consider all food pantry donations near you this year. If you have more, give some for others.

Proud to share my Halloween post for The Philosopher's Shirt, discussing Nagel's famous "Bat" article. One of the more interesting analytic works, IMO. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I am getting started on the (possibly last?) round of applications for philosophy PhD programs. I've applied two times before, over the past 15+ years. I now have the opportunity and CV to make myself a competitive candidate. At 40, I am older, but I have to do this or I will regret it. #philsky

In addition, I would like to invite you to read my newest article at The Philosopher's Shirt, on Friedrich Nietzsche's Birth of Tragedy. I used that text for my first published academic article, so it has a place in my heart. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

I have ended my Substack hiatus and my new self reflective essay is up. I keep all Substacks free for everyone. Check it out here: open.substack.com/pub/cmblack/...

I'd like to take a moment to mention something about an article I shared, that I wrote RE: Madness & Civ. I have never and would never deny the existence of mental disorders. I have struggled as someone with bipolar for all 40 years of my life. I am, in many respects, disabled.

PS: On Michel Foucault's birthday, here is my fresh article about Madness and Civilization. If you read one thing I've written, please let it be this. #philsky the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

It is Michel Foucault's birthday today. I did a lot of research on Foucault recently for an upcoming blog article (coming today!) for The Philosopher's Shirt. It's interesting to see him as one of the last of the rockstar philosophers of the 20th century.

I think women know horror well. The female body is a haunted house of its own, with expectations attached to its dark, foreboding rooms. Sometimes, it houses life, sometimes blood and pain. Horror can be as simple as aging or looking in the mirror.

Today is Hannah Arendt's birthday. The first article I wrote for The Philosopher's Shirt was about her concept of the "banality of evil," and the movie/musical/movie, "The Producers." Take a moment to read it today and reflect on your own power. the-philosophers-shirt.com/blogs/philos...

This sounds incredibly good. Reading about power structures like this in Foucault helped cement some of my ideas, as well as The New Jim Crow. This is on my list.