links for 2009-07-13

"[L]etâs take a look at some of the great maps of fantasy literature. This is by no means a complete list of the great ones, or even the most well known. Rather, itâs a list of maps that Iâve pored over for hours during my childhood, and ultimately, have inspired me to imagine my own fantastic worlds."

"It struck me, while reading this book, that the root problem here is no fundamental flaw in the American character, but a capitalist system that squeezes out spaces for things that are not expected to sell widely for the lowest costs to produce."