The CIA launched its Twitter account with self-mockery; the U.S. State Dept. vetted The Interview; Obama’s best promotion of the new healthcare law as with Zack Galafianikis, and he was funnier than the pro comedian at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner – on the night Navy SEALs got Osama Bin Laden, no less. “Comedy [has been] stolen from the professional jokesters by their traditional targets and became, unexpectedly, the new language of power, policy, and politics.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
‘Memetics’ – Towards A Theory Of Internet Memes
“In an age where politicians campaign through social media and viral marketers ponder the appeal of sneezing baby pandas, memes are more important than ever – however trivial they may seem. … What has happened to the idea of the meme, and what does that evolution reveal about its usefulness as a concept?”
Writing A Play In Which The Characters Can’t Speak
Bess Wohl’s Small Mouth Sounds takes place at a silent Buddhist retreat. “Aside from the unseen teacher, who lectures from offstage, its characters say almost nothing. Most of the play is written in the form of stage directions, and the audience bases many of its assumptions on nonverbal cues.”
The French Are Buying A Lot Of Books About Islam These Days
“Books on Islam are selling out in France after deadly extremist attacks in the capital raised uncomfortable questions about Europe’s fastest-growing religion.”
Miami City Ballet Gets Grants For U.S. Tour And New Balanchine Restaging
“[The company has] lined up $6.5 million in new support as it prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary next season with a national tour and a new production of George Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream with a dash of Florida flavor.”
Atticus Lish Wins PEN/Faulkner Award
In their citation, the judges wrote that Preparation for the Next Life “scours and illuminates the vast, traumatized America that lives, works and loves outside the castle gates. The result is an incantation, a song of ourselves, a shout.”
What’s This Week’s Tool For Boosting Your Kids’ Brain Development? Family Card Games
“Looking for a way to help your children take turns, follow rules, learn math and memory skills and face competition in a healthy way? How about a game of Crazy Eights?” (Naaah – bridge works much better.)
Ballet May Be The Next Corporate Superwoman’s Power Workout
“Classical ballet is coming to your workplace. The past couple of years has seen an influx of traditional ballet and ballet-based classes, squarely aimed at the busy office worker. It might not seem an obvious combination, but pure classical ballet technique is the ultimate antidote to a high pressured, stressful working environment.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs 04.07.15
Being the Boss
AJBlog: Field Notes Published 2015-04-07
The Collapsing Fortunes of the Club Deejay
AJBlog: CultureCrash Published 2015-04-07
Listening Tip: Mays, Stamm And The WDR In Cologne
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2015-04-07
Happy Birthday, Billie Holiday
AJBlog: CultureCrash Published 2015-04-07
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David Lynch Pulls Out Of “Twin Peaks” Revival
Explained the director in a Facebook post, “I left because not enough money was offered to do the script the way I felt it needed to be done.” The producing network, Showtime, still hopes to win Lynch back.