Abstract Essay, now in its fifth season, features acclaimed author Jack McMahon, discussing his thought-provoking book Atrophy and Asymptotes in an inspiring and insightful episode.

Abstract Essay

Atrophy and Asymptotes: A Father's Ravings on the Decay of American Values and Authoritarian Drift

A collection of deeply personal essays and letters from a father to his daughter, written during the chaotic times of her childhood with the intent to be read when she is an adult capable of understanding the man behind "Dad". This emotional time capsule captures the father's inner struggle: the need to protect his daughter's innocence while dealing with the consequences of his rage, cynicism and isolation that flows from what he sees as his duty as a citizen to fix this broken world. This work serves as a political commentary on the corruption of our day and the inevitable death of American values. Each chapter is a brutal social critique tackling all of our failures as citizens and parents that we don't dare admit: authoritarian overreach during the Covid era, generational theft via the Federal Reserve and Social Security, an ever decreasing idea of Free Speech, moral hypocrisies of political violence and death itself. Capping each chapter is a direct letter to the author's daughter guiding her towards moral action and apologizing to the one person he finds deserving of mercy. The voice of the author is intentionally confrontational - a healthy mix of emotional vulgarity, soulful self reflection and relentless logic in the quest for an honest representation of reality. While exposing the common debates of today, he takes each opposition claim to their logical conclusion using radical imagery and analogies that will raise your blood pressure as he raises his daughter in his last ditch effort to say something true.

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