Welcome to Tracing Woodgrains, the chronicle of a former Mormon’s chaotic pursuit of order in a world gone mad.
If you’ve heard of me, it’s most likely for one of these reasons:
I am the editorial assistant over at Blocked & Reported, or, as I like to call myself, a Podcaster’s Apprentice.
I am a long-time participant in, and occasional moderator of, reddit communities /r/theschism, /r/TheMotte (now themotte.org), and /r/mormon.
I have occasionally written popular articles on internet nonsense, notably on the bizarre rise and fall of reddit’s /r/antiwork and the Texas Abortion Bounty Hunter and transparenttranskid hoax communities.
I co-wrote an adversarial collaboration on whether the education system education adequately serves advanced students for Slate Star Codex.
In my essays, I wander towards whatever happens to catch my interest. Usually, that means a focus on learning and the strength of narratives and deliberate restrictions, reflections on culture war and internet nonsense, and attempts to present both the beauty and harm of Mormonism to a secular audience.
