Tag Archives: Umberto Eco

why fiction fascinates us so

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

Our perceptual relationship with the world works because we trust prior stories. We could not fully perceive a tree if we did not know (because others have told us) that it is the product of a long growth process and … Continue reading →

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Morality tales and semiotics in space

Posted on February 5, 2024 by Brian D. Butler

Lately, I have been binge watching a fascinating alternate history sci-fi TV series on the space race. If you get the chance, check out For All Mankind . The first season takes a bit long in establishing the characters and premise, … Continue reading →

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La Biblioteca del Mondo

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Umberto Eco: A Library of the World is a wonderful new documentary about the bestselling Italian author with perhaps the greatest intellectual appetite of any writer of his time. Directed by Davide Ferrario, the documentary will launch in the U.S. beginning … Continue reading →

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How is a book like a spoon ?

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I was recently asked by a TBTP subscriber why I never posted any stories about e-books or e-readers. My flippant response was to share the quote (above) from the late, great author/philosopher/bibliophile Umberto Eco from his book This Is Not the … Continue reading →

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Rules For Writers

Posted on June 21, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

A few years before his death at age 84, the beloved novelist, critic, essayist, raconteur, and academic Umberto Eco left us a tongue in cheek list of rules for writers. Those of us with any literary aspirations would do well … Continue reading →

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