The very beginnings of the discipline are tied up with religion, particularly attempts to validate the Bible. Today, there are students who neither know nor care much about the Bible and aren’t willing to take its importance as a given. How will that change the field?
Author: Matthew Westphal
The Mass Panic Over The ‘War Of The Worlds’ Radio Broadcast? It’s A Myth
“The idea that hysteria swept America on October 30, 1938, when a 62-minute radio dramatisation of The War of the Worlds [was broadcast], remained unchallenged for nearly eight decades.” But it didn’t happen. (Well, not in the U.S.) Here’s (some of) the truth about that night.
Book Of Kells Merch Is Coming, Despite Opposition From – Wait For It – Burger King
Trinity College Dublin needs funds for the upkeep of the famous illuminated manuscript and the other items in its rare book collections. So they applied for a worldwide trademark – only to get objections from a fast-food giant.
The Art Of Humorous Nonfiction: A Beer In Brooklyn With The King Of The A-Heds
“As a staff reporter at The Wall Street Journal, [Barry] Newman developed a niche as the ‘King of the A-Hed,’ the front page, below-the-fold feature story that had become one of journalism’s more peculiar corners since its inception in the 1940s. On a front page filled with the dryness of the bond market, the gravity of war casualties or the enduring egotism of Wall Street, the A-Hed was an homage to the ridiculousness of the world, a favorite among readers, reporters and editors, its existence constantly under threat.”
The Grand Empress Of Cabaret In Philly Is A Six-Foot-Two Drag Queen Who Founded One Of The City’s Top Theater Companies
“This year marks 10 years since Pig Iron Theatre Company cofounder Dito van Reigersberg donned a wig and an evening gown, put a clever spin on the name of his legendary former teacher at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, and strutted onstage at L’Etage.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 08.17.15
Monday Recommendation: Music Of Gary McFarland
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2015-08-17
From Florida with Skill and Devotion
AJBlog: Dancebeat Published 2015-08-17
Happy birthday to jazz pianist Bill Evans
AJBlog: CultureCrash Published 2015-08-17
Time Capsule: Algren, Burroughs, Mailer, et al . . .
AJBlog: Straight|Up Published 2015-08-17
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History Has No Place: Pico Iyer On Japan’s Unsentimental Attitude Toward Its Modernist Architecture
“The answer is simple: The Japanese are different from you and me. They don’t confuse books with their covers. … The motto guiding Japan’s way of being might be: New is the new old. For proof, you need only look at three recent high-profile and much-debated demolition jobs in Tokyo.”
Ann McGovern, Author Of ‘Stone Soup’ And Other Children’s Books, Dead At 85
“For decades, Ms. McGovern’s books were mainstays of public libraries, classroom book nooks, bedroom shelves and children’s treasure piles.”
‘Sesame Street’ Goes To HBO And Makes Clear Why We Should Fund The Arts
The new agreement “simultaneously demonstrates, once again, that the show is a valuable commodity, and makes one of the best, most underlooked arguments for public arts funding. It’s not … about whether art exists or not. It’s about whether people who don’t live in areas with museums, or who can’t afford cable, much less premium cable subscriptions, have access to arts and culture.”
Rupert Pennefather Leaves Royal Ballet, Effective Immediately
Neither the company nor Pennefather gave any reason for the departure. He had danced with the company for 16 years and was named a principal in 2008.