The Friday Grab Bag - Geeks & Nerds

Over on wikipedia, they describe a "Geek" here.

Also, on wikipedia, they describe a "Nerd" here.

Finally, on bigthink.com, they ask, "Are You a Geek or a Nerd? The Difference Really Is in the Data" here.

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered

elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

The Friday Grab Bag - Gaming, Old & New

Over on qz.com, they recently told us "Old-fashioned board games, not tech, are attracting the most money on Kickstarter" here.

Also, on gygaxmagazine.com, they shared an article penned by Cory Doctorow from issue #1 titled "DMing for your toddler" here.

Finally, on the Vsauce YouTube channel, they examine "Why Do We Play Games?"  Enjoy!

The Friday Grab Bag on CreativeMountainGames.com 

Essentially, a clearinghouse for topics not covered

elsewhere or needing a particular focus.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Throwback Thursday - The Journey to Lake Geneva Spot Check 24

Keep an eye on "Nostalgiologist" Nick Mizer's vlog on YouTube, Spot Check, as he takes a look at Old School gaming, then and now, while he writes a dissertation on the matter and shares portions of it.  Enjoy.

Throwback Thursday on CreativeMountainGames.com 

A look back at early tabletop hobby gaming

 or gaming-adjacent topics of the past.

Please Like, Share, Plus, Tweet, Follow, and Comment!

Tolkien’s Translation of ‘Beowulf’

Tolkien’s translation of ‘Beowulf’ is finally available. Read more here!

TED Talks on Storytelling

Some folks on Facebook recently Shared a playlist of Storytelling Ted Talks.  See more here!

Net Neutrality

Leaving aside the politics, for the sake of economics, I think it behooves me to share some information on an issue that is currently reaching a tipping point regarding Net Neutrality.  This is an issue that is sometimes misunderstood but well-defined by Ray Lin, a student at the University of California, Berkeley.  If you are becoming curious regarding this or would like some straightforward information on the subject, please do follow the links provided to help educate yourself more fully.  Thanks for allowing me to depart from my typical gaming-centric blog postings today.  If you wish to get involved, feel free to follow this link to SavetheInternet.com and keep informed.

Tolkien’s Translation of Beowulf

A recent announcement on the Medievalists.net website heralded that "Tolkien’s translation of Beowulf [is] coming out this spring." Read more here!

Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship

Here's an opportunity for an aspiring storyteller called the "Fulbright-National Geographic Digital Storytelling Fellowship." More info is here!

Melanie Holcomb at TEDxMet

Melanie Holcomb at TEDxMet addresses iconography including some particular Medieval examples. (Warning: Some religious discussion though mainly in a historical context.) Enjoy!

The Greatest Unreality - Kickstarter a Dissertation

The Anthropology PhD Candidate and gamer, Nick Mizer, plans for his dissertation to be one of the most in-depth looks at gaming ever published and, through a Kickstarter, we can all be part of what makes it happen.  See more here!

Project Gutenberg e-Books

Likely most of those who I reach with my blog and posting are familiar, but if you are not you should be made aware of Project Gutenberg and its many public domain e-Book offerings.  Give it a look here and check out Little Wars, the first modern wargaming rules from H. G. Wells, here!

Marketing your Middle Ages Education

There is an interesting article over on medievalnews.blogspot.ca titled "Learning about the Middle Ages can't get you a job (so says The National Post)." See more here!

Inspiring Students to Build Robots

There is a new video on the JPLnews YouTube channel titled "Inspiring Students to Build Robots" that is just what one might expect, some encouraging words from Bobak Ferdowsi, Curiosity flight director, to students on building robots. Enjoy!

Project Guttenberg,org A lot of old texts that have fallen into

 A lot of old texts that have fallen into public domain can be found at ProjectGuttenberg,org so go check them out and bookmark that treasure trove of writing!

Seth Abramson Reviews Hobbit Reviewers

Earlier this month, in the Huff Post Books section, there was a very good point made by poet Seth Abramson regarding the various reviews circulating about Peter Jackson's treatment of The Hobbit.  In it, he says,

All of this may seem like hapless nerd-kvetching, but consider: Would a film critic reviewing a Jane Austen adaptation be forgiven for exhibiting little knowledge of (and little willingness to embrace) the film's source material? How about Tolstoy? The reviews of The Hobbit don't just indulge, they indeed rely upon both the critics' and readers' ignorance of Tolkien's tale

Read the whole article here!

Photo from here.

Another, Bigger, D&D Family Tree

Back in October I pointed out a D&D Family Tree presented by Nerd is the word.  Well since then, Jason Paul McCartan has created yet another one but this one is bigger and far more expensive than the last.  Check it out on Dropbox as a PDF here! (Link died.  Post a comment if you find a new one!)

NYU Game Center MFA in Game Design

The graduate school at NYU has a 2-year Game Center MFA for those aspiring game designers.  Read more here!