Jamie Karcza
@jamiekarcza.bsky.social
Writer, drummer, dungeon master, philosopher, I will never lose, I will never die.
Game of Thrones was a cultural movement, its relevance at its peak matched only by its swift and absolute downfall in its conclusion. The downfall came from its writing, from the elements I call "Motion" and "Moments."
Moments and Motion – Why HBO’s Game of Thrones failed
There have been countless autopsies of the last few seasons of HBO’s Game of Thrones, countless attempts at pinpointing where and why the show lost its way, and with good reason: the early seasons of the show were a cultural phenomenon, arguably the last “big show” that pretty much everyone was watching and talking about. I remember working in a warehouse with people who had no interest in fantasy, hardly any interest in long-running narratives at all, but who were completely invested in the show.
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
July 3, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Game of Thrones was a cultural movement, its relevance at its peak matched only by its swift and absolute downfall in its conclusion. The downfall came from its writing, from the elements I call "Motion" and "Moments."
Discipline and ethics require us to subordinate some impulses in favor of others.
You want another donut, you want to strike your boss, but you hold off.
With effort and reflection, you overcome yourself.
But the world is ever more indulgent. We are trained to feed our impulses. We cease to grow.
You want another donut, you want to strike your boss, but you hold off.
With effort and reflection, you overcome yourself.
But the world is ever more indulgent. We are trained to feed our impulses. We cease to grow.
July 1, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Discipline and ethics require us to subordinate some impulses in favor of others.
You want another donut, you want to strike your boss, but you hold off.
With effort and reflection, you overcome yourself.
But the world is ever more indulgent. We are trained to feed our impulses. We cease to grow.
You want another donut, you want to strike your boss, but you hold off.
With effort and reflection, you overcome yourself.
But the world is ever more indulgent. We are trained to feed our impulses. We cease to grow.
I think the student pushback in the #ai debate comes from a misunderstanding of what education *is*.
Some students think education is just like working a job. The goal is to achieve a specific output: essays, reports, etc.
They think "as long as the job gets done, it doesn't matter how I do it."
Some students think education is just like working a job. The goal is to achieve a specific output: essays, reports, etc.
They think "as long as the job gets done, it doesn't matter how I do it."
May 19, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I think the student pushback in the #ai debate comes from a misunderstanding of what education *is*.
Some students think education is just like working a job. The goal is to achieve a specific output: essays, reports, etc.
They think "as long as the job gets done, it doesn't matter how I do it."
Some students think education is just like working a job. The goal is to achieve a specific output: essays, reports, etc.
They think "as long as the job gets done, it doesn't matter how I do it."
A friend once told me, "Books are nice, but I'd rather experience the real world."
He has a point: the world is an amazing place. I'd rather see a beautiful sunset than read about it.
But books let you keep all of history's most beautiful sunsets on a shelf to enjoy whenever you want.
He has a point: the world is an amazing place. I'd rather see a beautiful sunset than read about it.
But books let you keep all of history's most beautiful sunsets on a shelf to enjoy whenever you want.
May 14, 2025 at 5:41 AM
A friend once told me, "Books are nice, but I'd rather experience the real world."
He has a point: the world is an amazing place. I'd rather see a beautiful sunset than read about it.
But books let you keep all of history's most beautiful sunsets on a shelf to enjoy whenever you want.
He has a point: the world is an amazing place. I'd rather see a beautiful sunset than read about it.
But books let you keep all of history's most beautiful sunsets on a shelf to enjoy whenever you want.
In stories, we expect our villains to be better.
Imagine finishing a book and learning the antagonist did all these heinous acts for...
a modest bump in quarterly profits.
That would be so obscene, so unsatisfying, we would laugh the petty villain out of the canon.
Yet in reality it's the norm.
Imagine finishing a book and learning the antagonist did all these heinous acts for...
a modest bump in quarterly profits.
That would be so obscene, so unsatisfying, we would laugh the petty villain out of the canon.
Yet in reality it's the norm.
May 5, 2025 at 2:43 AM
In stories, we expect our villains to be better.
Imagine finishing a book and learning the antagonist did all these heinous acts for...
a modest bump in quarterly profits.
That would be so obscene, so unsatisfying, we would laugh the petty villain out of the canon.
Yet in reality it's the norm.
Imagine finishing a book and learning the antagonist did all these heinous acts for...
a modest bump in quarterly profits.
That would be so obscene, so unsatisfying, we would laugh the petty villain out of the canon.
Yet in reality it's the norm.
Take care not to constrain the bounds of beauty. Fear of the strange will in the end see you surrounded only by the dull.
May 4, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Take care not to constrain the bounds of beauty. Fear of the strange will in the end see you surrounded only by the dull.
All one tree, over 160 years old.
In Japanese, wisteria is ふじ (fuji)
Immortality is ふし (fushi)
What will be its extent?
What will be yours?
In Japanese, wisteria is ふじ (fuji)
Immortality is ふし (fushi)
What will be its extent?
What will be yours?
May 3, 2025 at 2:13 PM
All one tree, over 160 years old.
In Japanese, wisteria is ふじ (fuji)
Immortality is ふし (fushi)
What will be its extent?
What will be yours?
In Japanese, wisteria is ふじ (fuji)
Immortality is ふし (fushi)
What will be its extent?
What will be yours?
What is Essentialism?
Essentialism is a philosophical concept which has been gaining attention recently, and with good reason: essentialist beliefs are some of the most pervasive, least examined assumptions in common cultural understanding.
Essentialism is a philosophical concept which has been gaining attention recently, and with good reason: essentialist beliefs are some of the most pervasive, least examined assumptions in common cultural understanding.
What is Essentialism?
Essentialism is a philosophical concept which has been gaining attention recently, and with good reason: essentialist beliefs are some of the most pervasive, least examined assumptions in common cultural understanding.
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
April 8, 2025 at 7:36 AM
What is Essentialism?
Essentialism is a philosophical concept which has been gaining attention recently, and with good reason: essentialist beliefs are some of the most pervasive, least examined assumptions in common cultural understanding.
Essentialism is a philosophical concept which has been gaining attention recently, and with good reason: essentialist beliefs are some of the most pervasive, least examined assumptions in common cultural understanding.
What if multiverse theory and hard determinism are both true? An infinite number of universes, but they're all identical. I like it.
March 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
What if multiverse theory and hard determinism are both true? An infinite number of universes, but they're all identical. I like it.
"You know, I've always considered women to be people." George R.R. Martin.
That's the trick: at their base, no matter how different from you, they're still people. All you have to do is try your best to understand them.
True in writing, true in life.
That's the trick: at their base, no matter how different from you, they're still people. All you have to do is try your best to understand them.
True in writing, true in life.
March 26, 2025 at 4:05 AM
"You know, I've always considered women to be people." George R.R. Martin.
That's the trick: at their base, no matter how different from you, they're still people. All you have to do is try your best to understand them.
True in writing, true in life.
That's the trick: at their base, no matter how different from you, they're still people. All you have to do is try your best to understand them.
True in writing, true in life.
What isn’t Wisdom?
A distinction should be made between "wisdom" and "the aesthetic of wisdom." While we are all familiar with the "image" of wisdom, few recognize the effect that image has on society.
A distinction should be made between "wisdom" and "the aesthetic of wisdom." While we are all familiar with the "image" of wisdom, few recognize the effect that image has on society.
What isn’t Wisdom?
A distinction should be made between "wisdom" and "the aesthetic of wisdom." While we are all familiar with the "image" of wisdom, few recognize the effect that image has on society.
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
March 24, 2025 at 5:25 AM
What isn’t Wisdom?
A distinction should be made between "wisdom" and "the aesthetic of wisdom." While we are all familiar with the "image" of wisdom, few recognize the effect that image has on society.
A distinction should be made between "wisdom" and "the aesthetic of wisdom." While we are all familiar with the "image" of wisdom, few recognize the effect that image has on society.
Passed a little author milestone today: 50 book total sales!
In business terms of course that's not much at all, but it's still wild to me that so many people - not even just friends and family, but strangers! - would be willing to spend real money to read my work.
In business terms of course that's not much at all, but it's still wild to me that so many people - not even just friends and family, but strangers! - would be willing to spend real money to read my work.
March 19, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Passed a little author milestone today: 50 book total sales!
In business terms of course that's not much at all, but it's still wild to me that so many people - not even just friends and family, but strangers! - would be willing to spend real money to read my work.
In business terms of course that's not much at all, but it's still wild to me that so many people - not even just friends and family, but strangers! - would be willing to spend real money to read my work.
What draws people to historical fiction? I think it hits a nice balance between escapism and realism, where we get to enjoy immersing ourselves in a world different from our own, but it's still recognizable enough that we don't feel completely unmoored from reality.
March 18, 2025 at 1:29 AM
What draws people to historical fiction? I think it hits a nice balance between escapism and realism, where we get to enjoy immersing ourselves in a world different from our own, but it's still recognizable enough that we don't feel completely unmoored from reality.
Just getting home from a writing workshop. Reading the pieces of widely various genres and styles, I realized that anyone motivated enough to write something and share it has something valuable to say. It opens a window into your imagination, and that bravery is worth celebrating.
March 17, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Just getting home from a writing workshop. Reading the pieces of widely various genres and styles, I realized that anyone motivated enough to write something and share it has something valuable to say. It opens a window into your imagination, and that bravery is worth celebrating.
Only 2 days left of the sale! Don't miss your chance to pick up The Lady at the River's Edge for only 99 cents!
www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9CX3ZK5
www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9CX3ZK5
March 16, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Only 2 days left of the sale! Don't miss your chance to pick up The Lady at the River's Edge for only 99 cents!
www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9CX3ZK5
www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9CX3ZK5
Book Release – The Knight and the Mountain Witch
The next book in the Saint and Martyr Cycle is here!
The next book in the Saint and Martyr Cycle is here!
Book Release – The Knight and the Mountain Witch
The next book in the Saint and Martyr Cycle is here!
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
March 11, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Book Release – The Knight and the Mountain Witch
The next book in the Saint and Martyr Cycle is here!
The next book in the Saint and Martyr Cycle is here!
What is Wisdom?
Can a teenager be wise? How is intelligence like a car? Why do I browse my phone so much before bed?
Can a teenager be wise? How is intelligence like a car? Why do I browse my phone so much before bed?
What is Wisdom?
Can a teenager be wise? How is intelligence like a car? Why do I browse my phone so much before bed?
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
February 18, 2025 at 5:47 AM
What is Wisdom?
Can a teenager be wise? How is intelligence like a car? Why do I browse my phone so much before bed?
Can a teenager be wise? How is intelligence like a car? Why do I browse my phone so much before bed?
Just went into the bathroom this morning to put on sunscreen. Found myself flossing instead.
"My brain on autopilot took me to the wrong airport."
"My brain on autopilot took me to the wrong airport."
February 2, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Just went into the bathroom this morning to put on sunscreen. Found myself flossing instead.
"My brain on autopilot took me to the wrong airport."
"My brain on autopilot took me to the wrong airport."
Something new this week: a poem! What's in a name?
Etymology
James: Usurper, supplanter, assailant, “He who grasps by the heel.”
jamiekarcza.wordpress.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Something new this week: a poem! What's in a name?
Constantly inspired by the messages around Tokyo.
December 22, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Constantly inspired by the messages around Tokyo.
The trippy thing about our era is that there are MILLIONS of people whose existence is completely foreign and incomprehensible to us. The same market forces that serve torrents of insane AI art to boomers on facebook decide what gets renewed on Netflix, catering to a world you don't live in.
Netflix will renew the worst shit you’ve ever seen for four seasons and then cancel a universally beloved show after eight episodes
December 17, 2024 at 8:30 AM
The trippy thing about our era is that there are MILLIONS of people whose existence is completely foreign and incomprehensible to us. The same market forces that serve torrents of insane AI art to boomers on facebook decide what gets renewed on Netflix, catering to a world you don't live in.
I'm inclined to agree
December 1, 2024 at 4:08 AM
I'm inclined to agree
Best conditions to produce art: calm, predictable, but varied juuuuust enough to provide inspiration.
Current conditions:
Current conditions:
November 10, 2024 at 4:47 AM
Best conditions to produce art: calm, predictable, but varied juuuuust enough to provide inspiration.
Current conditions:
Current conditions: