Mark T. Conard earned his Ph.D. in Philosophy from Temple University in Philadelphia, and is now Associate Professor of Philosophy at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. In addition to writing fiction, he’s the co-editor of The Simpsons and Philosophy (2001), and Woody Allen and Philosophy (2004), both published by Open Court Press; and is editor of The Philosophy of Film Noir (2006), The Philosophy of Neo-Noir (2006), The Philosophy of Martin Scorsese (2007), and The Philosophy of the Coen Brothers (2008), all published by The University Press of Kentucky. He listens to jazz, is known to drink bourbon, and enjoys fine cigars. He in fact does have a friend, believe it or not, and his favorite invaders of Rome are the Visigoths. In addition, he’s fond of loud, piercing noises, boating accidents, and non sequiturs.