We are a team of poets and artists who write and publish original stories anchored in traditional Christian symbolism.
176 Quest for the Chosen One
Based Con is coming up in a couple weeks, and the Professor wanted to brainstorm some ideas for one of the panels on which she is appearing, “The Case Against the Chosen One.” What’s all the fuss about “the chosen one” in fiction, and why do both authors and audiences find it so appealing? Is it some kind of hard and fast rule à la Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, that there must even be a Chosen One at the center of a story? The Professor sent KC off to find out. After pulling up a few examples from popular books and films over the last 50 years, it seemed difficult to argue against its apparent necessity. But is there something darker going on with these repetitive story elements? The Professor thinks so; KC isn’t so sure. Listen and tell us what you think in the comments. —Streamed August 28, 2026
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175 The Pursuit of Liberty
The Mosaic Ark was back this week to celebrate our 4th anniversary of streaming! On our last stream, we discussed the Declaration of Independence, and how its professed right of "the pursuit of happiness" was influenced by Alexander Pope’s “Essay on Man.” After that broadcast, KC asked the Professor how such a solid understanding of happiness had been turned on its head during the 20th century and changed to mean radical individualism and personal freedom above all else. “Oh, that’s John Stuart Mill,” she replied. “Here’s your new homework!” And thus ended KC’s happiness over our discussion of Pope, which was transformed into cynical frustration over Mill’s self-contradictory essay “On Liberty.” And if you listen to this stream, she’ll tell you how she really feels about Mill! And please leave us your opinions in the comments!