Articles by Nick Martens

Watterson’s World: The Authoritative “Calvin and Hobbes”

Nick Martens digs into Bill Watterson’s writing to find the motivation behind the artist’s uncompromising stance on merchandizing his creation.

Watterson’s World: What is Hobbes?

Nick Martens kicks off a new series about Calvin and Hobbes with a history of his obsession and an ontological inquiry into the nature of a certain stuffed tiger.

The End is Nigh

Nick Martens looks at an uninspired way to end a story, and hopes that the finale of Battlestar Galactica avoids it.

Stranger Than Non-Fiction

Citing examples in television and literature, Nick Martens discusses how fictitious elements can supplement the truth in non-fiction.

Dear Wednesday, From Monday

Pre-election Nick Martens addresses a letter to post-election Nick Martens.

PANIC!

Pundit Nick Martens contemplates the classic power of the big, banner headline.

In Memoriam: Muxtape

Nick Martens looks back on the little playlist-sharing website that could.

Reinventing “Reinventing Comics”

Nick Martens revisits Scott McCloud’s comic about comics, and compares it to the artist’s recent work for Google.

On Modernist Podcasting

Nick Martens employs rigorous aesthetic philosophy to figure out what makes a great podcast.

The Problem with Biking in America

Having seen the light while studying abroad in Amsterdam, Nick Martens contrasts that bicycle Nirvana with the American cycling cesspool.

On Steve Jobs, and His Temperament

Apple, Inc. CEO Steve Jobs has been known for two things: turtlenecks and tantrums. Nick Martens examines the idiosyncratic mind behind Apple and how the company’s recent missteps reveal truth behind its leader.

A Timeline of Obsolescence

Americans are afraid that their jobs are endangered by foreign competition, but in reality, the threat is not Chinese people, but robots! In the interest of choosing a suitable career path, Nick Martens outlines when and how the best human jobs will be taken over by machines.