“One of the top story lines of the 2008 campaign has been a possible surge of fake voters. But as we concern ourselves with voter fraud, let us not forget our country’s long history of fake presidential candidates.”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Rand Corp. Study Links Sex On TV With Teen Pregnancy
“[R]esearchers at the Rand Corporation say they have documented for the first time how such exposure can influence teen pregnancy rates. They found that teens exposed to the most sexual content on TV were twice as likely as teens watching less of this material to become pregnant before they reach age 20.”
Does Political Humor Change The Political Climate?
“Much of today’s political humor requires a smart and savvy audience that keeps up with current events — if only in order to mock it. … But has any of this smart political humor had an impact on the candidates, the election or our politics? It may be safe to argue that comedy changes the national mood, but can it change the national political climate in more fundamental ways?”
A Mostly Dismal, Briefly Record-Setting Sotheby’s Evening
“Sotheby’s failed to sell a third of the lots at its Impressionist and modern art auction last night in New York, the latest sign that worldwide financial distress is undermining demand for trophy paintings and sculpture.”
Terkel Was An Artist Of Oral Histories
“I used to feel sheepish describing Studs Terkel as one of my favourite American writers, right up there with Roth and Doctorow, Updike and DeLillo. Yes, OK, his oral histories (Working, Race, Coming of Age) ranked alongside the most compelling and illuminating books produced about the American experience – but how much of this was down to the author? … How stupid I was. The genius of Studs Terkel is in his discretion.”
An Atheist Ponders The Link Between Art And Religion
“God does not exist. However, I think human cultural history to date would have been poorer without the illusions of religion. In a completely rational world would art exist? Maybe, but only as a sort of post-Duchampian ironic plaything. Great art feeds on the same sources as god-bothering.”
Whether Obama Or McCain, What Will It Mean For The Arts?
“Liberals may or may not see their dreams come true tomorrow, but whether Obama or McCain is elected the 44th President of the United States, we might wonder what will unfold in the arts in the coming years. Won’t many writers and artists lose their muse – along with their enemy – when Bush disappears?”
Hello, Sotheby’s? I’d Like To Borrow Against My Painting.
“One art-world business is booming: collectors looking to borrow against works they own, especially before the fall sales threaten to lower values. ‘We’ve been contacted by lots of people who are feeling some sort of margin call,’ says Sotheby’s CEO, Bill Ruprecht. Other lenders have virtually stopped lending against art recently, but Ruprecht says Sotheby’s is still ‘very comfortable’ doing so.”
Musicians Embrace Obama; McCain Embraces Their Music
“If John McCain wins this election, it won’t have been thanks to the music community. With less than 24 hours to go until Election Day, recording artists continue to urge people to vote — and, overwhelmingly, to vote for Barack Obama. … Meanwhile, artists who have complained about McCain using their music at his appearances include Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Heart, and members of Van Halen.”
Arts Bigwigs Helped Obama Craft Culture Plank
“Senator Barack Obama … is the first White House contender to include a far-reaching arts plank in his platform. The proposals range from increased support for arts education and the National Endowment for the Arts, to changing the federal tax code for artists.” Margo Lion, Michael Chabon, Hal Prince, Eugenia and Pinchas Zukerman, and Agnes Gund were among those who pitched in on the plank.