Author: Douglas McLennan

Superheroes As Metaphor For Technology

Superman and his contemporaries launched a fascination with technological superism that continues today. Here were individuals whose bodies and their capacities were somehow warped through being exposed to technology (the Flash); augmented by technology (Batman); or transported from one environment to another by technology (Superman). There is an underlying narrative in all their stories that treats technology as a source of powers that would traditionally have been described as divine. But, like Prometheus’ theft of fire from the gods, this has often been seen as a double-edged desire, seductive yet dangerous for humans. – Aeon

How A D&D Tool Helped Organize Our World Views

The pleasure of filling out an alignment chart is similar to that of playing a simple brainteaser, or completing an elementary-school worksheet: You’re making judgment calls, sorting, putting objects into little boxes—and you end up with something neat and composed. It has the allure of surety. If we could decide, once and for all, what is the exact best way to live, maybe everything would fall into place. – The Atlantic

Surge In Sales Of Books About Plagues

Camus’s The Plague follows the inhabitants of Oran, an Algerian town that is sealed off by quarantine as it is ravaged by bubonic plague. Penguin is rushing through a reprint of its English translation to meet demand, but said on Thursday it had sold out of stock on Amazon. The publisher added that sales in the last week of February were up by 150% on the same period in 2019. – The Guardian

Can ANYthing Make LaGuardia More Tolerable? These Artists Will Try

Four internationally recognized artists — Jeppe Hein, Sabine Hornig, Laura Owens and Sarah Sze — have been commissioned by LaGuardia Gateway Partners, together with the New York-based nonprofit for public art, to execute large-scale projects integrated throughout the architecture of the arrivals and departures hall of the new Terminal B, expected to open later this year. The budget for the art program is close to $10 million. – The New York Times

Tavis Smiley Ordered To Pay $1.7 Million To PBS Over Morality Clause

Smiley, who was fired in 2017 amid sexual misconduct allegations, sued PBS contending he was dropped from the network as a result of racial bias and that he was wrongly terminated. Smiley was the only solo black host of a show on the broadcasting organization’s airwaves. Though he admitted that he had engaged in sexual relationships with employees, he insisted they were consensual. He sued for $1 million. – NPR

Why Are We Still Naming Buildings And Programs After Donors?

The dilemma these groups face is contractual, in two ways. First, there is the contract with the donor, which, if broken, may seem a betrayal to some, and a sign of institutional inconstancy to others. There may also be tangible legal issues involved. But there is a larger contract to be considered, too. Selling or otherwise offering naming rights makes it look as though the institution is mainly serving its wealthy donors, no matter how public-spirited the rest of its endeavors may be. – Washington Post

Miami’s Ultra Festival Canceled Over Virus Fears

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Commissioner Joe Carollo told reporters for the Miami Herald that the risks were too great for the festival, which draws 165,000 fans from around the world over three days to Miami’s Bayfront Park. The festival, technically just postponed, isn’t likely to be held until 2021, they said. A formal announcement from the festival is expected Friday. – Los Angeles Times