Ideas & Insights
The Blog
Essays on philosophy, history, psychology, technology, and the curious intersections between them.
How I Built My Author Website with Manus AI (No Developer Required)
C.V. Wooster shares how he used Manus AI to build a custom author website with a blog, newsletter, affiliate links, and AdSense — without writing a single line of code.
What Is the Trolley Problem? The Moral Dilemma That Has Haunted Philosophers for Decades
A runaway trolley. Five lives. One lever. The Trolley Problem is the most famous thought experiment in moral philosophy — and it reveals something uncomfortable about how we actually make ethical decisions.
What Is the Chinese Room Argument? Searle, AI, and the Question of Understanding
John Searle's Chinese Room Argument is one of philosophy's most powerful and contested thought experiments. What does it tell us about AI, consciousness, and what it means to understand — and why does it matter more than ever in 2026?
How I Research a Book
A practical account of how C.V. Wooster researches nonfiction books: primary and secondary sources, the Scrivener research folder, note-taking methods, and how to know when you have researched enough.
How I Outline a Book
A practical look at how C.V. Wooster outlines books: the difference between plotters and pantsers, how Scrivener's corkboard changes the outlining process, and what a working outline actually looks like.
What Is the Ship of Theseus Paradox?
The Ship of Theseus is a 2,000-year-old thought experiment about identity and change. Here is what it means, why it still matters, and what it teaches us about who we are.
My Self-Publishing Toolkit
A personal walkthrough of the self-publishing tools C.V. Wooster uses for every book: Scrivener for drafting, Vellum for formatting, Draft2Digital for distribution, and the three writing craft books that shaped the work.
Vellum Review: The Book Formatting Software Serious Authors Actually Use
A hands-on Vellum review for authors: what it does, what it costs, and why it produces the most beautiful ebook and print interiors available.
Moral Philosophy Thought Experiments & Everyday Decisions
Explore how moral philosophy thought experiments can profoundly influence and clarify our everyday decisions. Discover practical applications for ethical reasoning.
Bird by Bird — Anne Lamott
The most honest book about writing I've ever read. Lamott doesn't pretend the process is glamorous — she just shows you how to get through it, one small piece at a time.
"Bird by Bird" is required reading for anyone who wants to write anything. Funny, wise, and deeply practical.