“I was really interested in this ability for others to create virtual memories for us. In "The Cartographers" I explore this through Adam Woods, and the company he works for, which produces virtual memories that people can beam into their consciousness. While the technology is sci-fi, the story is also a metaphor for the way love relationships create memories in our minds.” PeopleWayMindStoriesMemoriesAbilityConsciousnessCompanyTechnologyProduceMetaphorWoodsSci FiAdamBeamLove Relationship Author:Alexander Weinstein
“In Nepal, I realized a certain part of my spiritual search had come to an end. I wasn't ever going to live in a Himalayan cave (I like electricity and a soft bed way too much), and I sure wasn't going to find enlightenment so easily.” WayEndsSpiritualCertainToo MuchBedEnlightenmentI RealizedElectricityCavesNepal Author:Alexander Weinstein
“David Foster Wallace was a brilliant experimentalist who I deeply admire. His ability to do formalism helped me understand how to tackle stories like "Dictionary" and "Failed Revolution." "Dictionary," in particular, functions against narrative in many ways - each of the definitions are their own mini-story or prose poem, and the collection of them adds up to create a different effect than the traditional Freytagian Pyramid story.” WayDifferentStoriesAbilityEffectsParticularRevolutionFunctionAddDefinitionsBrilliantAdmireTraditionalNarrativeProseCollectionsDictionaryPyramids Author:Alexander Weinstein
“"Rocket Night" is my take on bullying culture. I think this is getting better, thanks to the anti-bullying work being done by my generation. But there's a way that coaches, teachers, parents, and administration officials can conspire against our students who need the most support.” ThinkingWayNeedsDoneNightCultureParentSupportTeacherGenerationsStudentsCoachesThanksAdministrationGet BetterOfficialsBullyingRocketsMy GenerationBeing DoneAnti Bullying Author:Alexander Weinstein
“We shuffle out of office buildings after being laid-off by draconian bosses; we sit on hold for ten minutes only to be told by a supervisor that the charge on our cable bill can't be removed; we click a crying emoji on Facebook as our last whimper of protest. So rather than end the story ["Ice Age"] with the expected violence and destruction of evil, I wanted to focus on the way the characters end up sabotaging their own community though their attachments to the consumerism of the old world.” WorldWayEndsCharacterStoriesAgeWantedLastsEvilCommunityFocusViolenceMinutesCryBuildingTenOfficeDestructionBillsExpectedIceProtestAttachmentBossConsumerismCablesClicksOld WorldIce AgeShuffleSupervisorsLaid OffDraconianOffice Buildings Author:Alexander Weinstein