winterSmith
Esmé Wonders How She’ll Die
Esmé Wonders How She’ll Die – for Lisa …perspective is a lie. If I know a pond is round then why should I draw it oval? I will draw it round because round is true. Why should my brush lie to you just because my eyes lie to me? – Terry Pratchett I shot the boy whose piano chanted in
Read moreNobel Committee gives Bob Dylan the wrong prize
Dylan is one of the greatest artists of his time. But his genius wasn’t about Literature. Part 1 of a series. The Nobel Committee today awarded American folk icon Bob Dylan its annual prize for Literature. Not surprisingly, reactions have been mixed. I’m a bit torn myself. There is no questioning at all the immensity of Dylan’s artistic accomplishments, and
Read moreDonald Trump is a referendum on your character
I’m not asking who you’re voting for. I’m asking what kind of human being you are. I’m sure you’ve read what Donald Trump said by now, but let’s watch the video and read the transcript just to make sure we’re all on the same page. I was considering titling this essay “Donald Trump is a referendum on our character.” But it isn’t
Read moreYour Friday after work playlist
Yabba dabbo do, bitches. It’s beer:thirty.
Read moreThe road less traveled
It's World Teachers Day: who changed your life?
It’s World Teachers Day. And I’m a little distressed by how little mention I have seen of it flying around on my Facebook feed. But then, what do I expect? Once upon a time we celebrated teachers for their wisdom and commitment to making their communities better places. Now, in addition, we celebrate them for their superhuman perseverance in the
Read moreChelsea Clinton and "anecdotal evidence"
The once and future first daughter’s bout of reefer madness notwithstanding, please remember: “anecdotal evidence” is another way of saying “no evidence”… Chelsea Clinton, who has been out on the stump a bit lately “helping” her mother’s campaign, recently dove face first into the muck by saying that pot can be fatal. “…we also have anecdotal evidence now from Colorado
Read moreIt's official: Tom Brady just isn't that good a quarterback
No, Pats fans, Tom Terrific doesn’t belong in the Hall of Fame. Not unless he’s sweeping up. For years we Denver Broncos fans, who feel like former superstar running back Terrell Davis belongs in the NFL Hall of Fame, have heard a variety of arguments against his candidacy. One that has always struck me goes like this. Yes, Davis gained
Read moreHappy Equinox: Highway 119, Gilpin County CO
Democracy in America: a bad idea
It’s now clear that democracy, as practiced in an anti-intellectual society like ours, doesn’t work. Let’s give elitism (properly understood) a try. Many of you probably read Andrew Sullivan’s New York Magazine piece back in April. If not, you should do so as soon as possible – it’s among the most important and insightful political essays we have seen in a generation and
Read moreMonorail to the Future: reasserting the American Dream for #HopeTuesday
With the 1962 World’s Fair, Seattle asserted itself as the city that invented the future. Seattle Center, home to the Space Needle, Key Arena, the Pacific Science Center and other Jetsonesque architectural wonders, gave us a stunning Mid-Century Modern vision of our presumed technotopian future. In 2000 the EMP Museum opened, inserting a postmodern generational overlay in the form of Frank Gehry’s gripping postmodern
Read moreMe, Albee and the Butterfly Effect: Scholars & Rogues Honors
An icon of the American theatre, Edward Albee, died this week. Scholars & Rogues honors him and notes the small ways that the influence of great artists can affect our lives for years to come. We read The Zoo Story in one of my classes at Wake Forest – maybe freshman or sophomore year. I absolutely loved it. I think Jerry
Read moreHappy Birthday to Jeffrey Dean Foster (Saturday Video Roundup)
We live in an era, sadly, where all too often our greatest talents never find the sort of broad audience their genius deserves. Once upon a time, back in the age of mass media and record labels committed to artist development, back before the Internet nichified music almost to death, back then Jeffrey Dean Foster would have been a massive star.
Read moreExamining a cynical, fake-patriotic Facebook meme
Instead of making yourself a tool for those whose agendas run counter to the best interests of the nation that flag represents, how about stepping back and asking who’s playing you, and why? This meme came across my Facebook feed earlier today. Obviously somebody has an issue with Colin Kaepernick (and other black athletes) protesting injustice in America by refusing
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