So it begins...
Day one in Helheim
As we step into the reality of Donald Trump’s second presidency—this time as a convicted felon and adjudicated rapist—I’ve decided it’s finally time to launch my Substack. It’s been on my to-do list for ages, but as a card-carrying member of the ADHD club, I’m all too familiar with how the road to Helheim is paved with good intentions.
Welcome to Helheim. The name comes from the Norse realm of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. If you’re wondering, yes, it’s the etymological ancestor of the English word “Hell,” but Norse Helheim isn’t a fiery pit of torment—it’s more like Limbo. Fitting, really, given the liminal state of the United States these days.
It was either Helheim or The Maquis for the name, but naming my blog after the French Resistance felt a little on the nose. Besides, Norse mythology has a certain grim poetry that seems just right for this moment in history.
So here we are. This will be a space to explore the politics of our strange times, the lessons of history, the pitfalls and promise of technology, and maybe even what it means to embody non-toxic masculinity in a world that desperately needs it. We’re on the highway to Helheim.