Trance – Trance Blackman

Creative Stewardship: Who Really Owns a Story’s Legacy?

Creative Stewardship: Who Really Owns a Story’s Legacy?

Stargate, Star Trek, and The Future of Beloved Fictional Universes

04 November 2026 ~ 32 minute read

There’s something to be said for a good science-fiction series that leaves you wanting to explore the universe rather than escape it. The kind that gives you memorable characters, interesting ideas, a little humor, and the occasional reminder that humanity might yet amount to something. Stargate and Star Trek, particularly their earlier incarnations, managed to capture something of that spirit. And perhaps that’s why their absence, and the rather curious treatment of their respective legacies, is worth discussing. There’s plenty of room for new stories, new talent, and new directions. What seems to be in shorter supply is the creative stewardship, imagination, and willingness to build upon what came before.

The Creative Force and Its Captors

Journal Entries

The Creative Force and Its Captors

On Demons, Egregores, and the Human Condition

02 November 2026 ~ 16 minute read

We inherit more than the circumstances of our lives. We inherit ways of seeing, interpreting, and making sense of the world, along with the fears, beliefs, and assumptions that shape our understanding of what is possible. Much of what we take for reality may be something we’ve learned to accept long before we’ve developed the means to question it. And perhaps some of the most important questions we can ask concern not only the nature of the world around us, but the nature of our own participation in creating and sustaining it.

Lux Colloquii

You Cannot Redistribute Wisdom: The Human Problems Behind Economic Inequality

Wealth, Philanthropy, and Institutional Power

01 November 2026 ~ 25 minute read

There’s no shortage of people willing to tell us what’s wrong with the world, who’s responsible, and what should be done about it. Economic inequality, wealth accumulation, philanthropy, and the familiar refrain that we should simply tax the rich are recurring subjects, often presented with a degree of moral certainty that leaves little room for meaningful examination. But beneath these arguments are some rather fundamental questions about human nature, personal responsibility, individual freedom, and the institutions we trust to manage our affairs. Perhaps it’s time we looked beyond the slogans and considered what we’re actually trying to accomplish.

The Loss of Something Essential

Journal Entries

The Loss of Something Essential

On Craft, Culture, and the Stories We Keep

31 October 2026 ~ 7 minute read

Every generation leaves something behind, not only in the work it produces, but in the standards it establishes, the stories it tells, and the expectations it passes on. Perhaps part of what we’re witnessing now is the gradual disappearance of a particular kind of craftsmanship, once understood and appreciated as an essential part of the creative process. And perhaps the more troubling question isn’t simply what we’re losing, but whether we’ve even noticed what has taken its place.

What We Leave Behind

Journal Entries

What We Leave Behind

A Tribute to Patrick Stewart

30 October 2026 ~ 5 minute read

Some performers leave a mark that extends well beyond the screen. For me, Patrick Stewart was one of them. Through his portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard, he gave us something to aspire to, a character whose humanity, intellect, integrity, and quiet strength left an impression that endured long after the television was turned off. A few personal reflections on the man, the captain, and the legacy he leaves behind.

Author: Trance

Creative Stewardship: Who Really Owns a Story’s Legacy?

The Creative Force and Its Captors

You Cannot Redistribute Wisdom: The Human Problems Behind Economic Inequality

The Loss of Something Essential

What We Leave Behind