Have you ever been stabbed in the back? No, I haven’t had someone put a knife in my spine either, but having a friend betray you at the last moment is devastating. Nation-states try to prevent this sort of betrayal by creating treaties. They do act similarly to the ones you crafted when you realized […]

Government agencies are still not beyond the use of covert espionage. There was a recent New York Times report that uncovered details of more than a dozen United States spies working in China who died or were captured between 2010 and 2012. It wasn't that long ago when the US was in trouble with a […]

Everyday we are bombarded with advertisements about one brand of soap or car insurance being the best offer on the market. We hear encouraging things from politicians about their policies. We work at places that tell us why "Jen" got a big gold star for being employee of the month. When we sit down at […]

Do You Feel Lucky, Cyberpunk? Cyber security is something that most people (and until recently many businesses) take for granted. You throw up your firewall, install Norton, and call it good. You’re safe, right? After all, it’s just some hooligan in their mom’s basement trying to get your credit card to buy a new Xbox. […]

Censorship has long been used by powerful forces to control and further their own goals. We so often are wary of devious autocrats, greedy religions, or parents ashamed that you call yourself a writer in front of family. Shouldn’t I be able to promote my erotic Lassie fan-fiction in peace and not have to buy […]

Voting Matters A vote is a powerful thing. It doesn’t matter the number of people voting. What matters is representation. The idea that your voice in concert with your fellow citizens creates change shape the modern world. By your vote or by a representative, history shows the idea of having representation and choice is powerful […]

Power to the Polis I watched the best player at the table crumble. Yes, I did want to stomp his face in for taking me out first in the prior week’s commander pod, but it was much more than that. He was the clear enemy to me and the people to my left and right. […]

Anarchy isn’t just for the punks doing blow in the stalls at concerts. Every Johnny, Timmy, and Sue must know the powder keg of societal non-conformity. Your friends at the game table should feel the anarchy seep into their minds. Break the system. Destroy order by any means necessary. Previously I discussed how to overcome […]

In politics, everything is a weapon to be used against you. Each picture unravels your personality, each statement twisted to abomination, and each decision you make could be your last. In Magic: The Gathering, each card you draw brings you closer to the bottom, each attacking creature leaves you vulnerable, and each spell could be […]

Commander is magic’s dark alleyway. It can be filled with the dangerous and unexpected or it is the long boring way to get to the same place. There is no reason to let your games become boring. You can always be unexpected and dangerous. In a game of no-holds-barred, multifaceted politics, be the maniacal dictator. […]