After two decades of publishing websites, I've seen the internet change countless times. Lately, though, the rise of AI-powered search has left me wondering whether independent bloggers are entering a new era. This isn't an article with all the answers. It's an honest look at the questions I've been asking about traffic, search, and what the future may hold for those of us who still love to write.
Sandbox World
Batman saves Gotham at night, but Bruce Wayne helps it survive by day. Explore the hidden economy that keeps Gotham standing.
A simple AI voice demonstration sparks a deeper look at science fiction, human connection, and how artificial intelligence is quietly changing everyday life.
A remarkable Montreal encounter between Nick Auf der Maur and Jack Kerouac reveals how genius, identity and reality collide behind literary legend.
A chance discovery on TCM led me to Last Summer (1969), a haunting coming-of-age drama restored by Warner Archive after decades of obscurity.
How Hergé, George Pal, and Robert A. Heinlein helped inspire the Space Age by turning science fiction into believable science years before Apollo 11.
Peter Sellers' early British films shaped one of cinema's greatest actors and why The Peter Sellers Collection is the perfect place to rediscover his genius.
Why does The Catcher in the Rye still spark debate after 75 years? Explore how J.D. Salinger's classic became a cultural myth that grew beyond the novel itself.
Cars have become far more than transportation. Explore how the automobile evolved into our second home and digital living room through history and culture.
Why do our cars feel like a second home? Explore the hidden emotional lives we live behind the wheel and how the automobile became one of our most personal spaces.
Melissa Auf der Maur's My '90s Rock Photographs explores the last great analog decade while celebrating the Montreal music scene that shaped her remarkable career.
Robert Sikoryak's Declaration / Emancipation Illustrated reviewed, exploring how parody, comic history, and art transform America's founding documents.
Betty Boop turns 95 while remaining one of animation's biggest icons. Explore her flapper roots, censorship battles, lasting influence, and enduring legacy.
My cat's obsession with YouTube bird videos made me realize that every cat sees a television a little differently. Simon's Cat captured that perfectly, and it also reminded me why modern TVs deserve a little extra protection.
A three-part Sandbox World series exploring the practical questions comic books never stop to ask. Instead of focusing on Batman's gadgets and villains, this series examines the business, economics, and ordinary people who quietly make Gotham work.
Star Trek celebrates its 60th anniversary with a premium Blu-ray collector's edition. Does it boldly go where fans hoped, or is it simply a beautiful repackage?
The Lachine Canal isn't just a beautiful place to watch The Third Man. It may be Montreal's own film noir district, where history and cinema collide.
Question Mark and the Mysterians changed garage rock with "96 Tears." Explore their remarkable story, lasting influence, and emotional reunion celebration.
Ever wonder why comic book villains love green and purple? A conversation with my daughter uncovered the surprising history, psychology, and hidden language behind comics' most famous colors.
A lifelong North American sports fan unexpectedly falls down a rabbit hole exploring Norway's Viking Row, runic jerseys, Led Zeppelin, and the surprising ways history and pop culture collide.
Can a famous last name guarantee success? Explore the truth behind Hollywood's nepo babies, family legacies, public expectations, and lasting careers.
Everyone knows Frank Sinatra's "Strangers in the Night." Almost nobody knows it began in a forgotten James Garner spy movie. Here's the incredible story behind one of music's greatest hits.
Winning may earn the spotlight, but losing often creates the stories we remember forever. From sports to Hollywood, here's why defeat may be life's greatest teacher.
Ten years ago, Pokémon GO did something few video games have ever accomplished. It got millions of people off the couch and out into their neighborhoods, creating one of the biggest shared pop culture moments of the decade.