March 31, 2021
Malign Directive
Ryan’s Edits (previously) investigates the mysterious cases of Where Does Starfleet Get All Those Ancient Artifacts? and A Critical Analysis of Fashion in Star Trek.
More Fun Than Fun: How Do Insect Societies Deal With Infectious Diseases
...Colonies of social insects such as those of ants, bees, wasps and termites present parasites with a paradise of sorts: they contain densely packed individuals that are also rather genetically similar and hence of similar susceptibility. Not surprisingly, parasites are the scourge of insect societies. But insect societies have not only survived this scourge but are among the most evolutionarily successful and ecologically dominant members of Earth’s terrestrial fauna.More Fun Than Fun: How Do Insect Societies Deal With Infectious Diseases?
(Don't) stop your good time dancing
If you can only follow one music podcast focused mainly on early eighties electropop (and Sheffield based early eighties electropop in particular), follow Martyn Ware's. The co-founder of Heaven 17 and The Human League not only talks to old pals like Martin Fry or Midge Ure, but also musicans as different as Sandie Shaw and Elly Jackson.
Rep. Matt Gaetz & DOJ trafficking inquiry
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz faces investigation over relationship with teen girl (USA Today, March 31, 2021) Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., said he is under investigation for his sexual conduct after a report Tuesday that the Department of Justice is looking into whether he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, and he claimed the investigation is related to an effort to extort him. The New York Times reported that, according to three sources briefed on the issue, an inquiry seeks to uncover whether Gaetz violated sex trafficking laws by paying for a teen girl to travel with him. Charges have not been filed against the Florida congressman. [more inside]
The Curve on the Letter M Has Also Been Changed Slightly
“The designer told me it’s not just about a square becoming a circle. It’s about the brand having a massive change in its inner spirits and personality.” from Xiaomi Replaces Its Logo With A New One in Vice. [more inside]
Face it, nobody watched 'Mank'
Although the pandemic has left households paying for more streaming services than ever, the majority of the best picture nominees at the Oscars are unknown to entertainment consumers. According to a recent survey, the most known best picture nominee was “Judas and the Black Messiah,” the HBO Max drama about Black Panther Party leader Fred Hampton, with just over 46% awareness. Netflix’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” was second with 39% awareness, followed by Searchlight Pictures’ “Nomadland” with 35% awareness. [more inside]
"It is up to you to keep your potatoes out of my pig."
The Pig War of San Juan Island Posted at the American Camp trailhead, the following message: "The area is a reminder that senseless wars over insignificant causes do not need to happen." [more inside]
"to reshape our sense of ourselves and our societies across generations"
"The culture has given up on the novel as a central art in part because we’ve given up on metaphysical stakes: It has to matter to the universe, or it won’t long matter to us." says Joseph Bottum in a conversation with Phil Klay about whether the novel is in decline, on Pairagraph (a set of structured conversations). Klay replies: "as long as humans need not only a metaphysics but also a sense of belonging in structures larger than ourselves, whether those be communities or churches or nations, humans will seek out those art forms that help us to knit together our disparate, broken solitudes." Even if the topic doesn't particularly interest you, you may find Bottum's introduction funny; I laughed out loud.
“In internet terms, UbuWeb is antediluvian”
Your hat sucks is an essay by Gill Partington about the venerable web repository of avant-garde literature and art, UbuWeb, and its founder Kenneth Goldsmith. She discusses and expands on her essay in a wide-ranging podcast interview with Thomas Jones.
The Unshakable Allure of the Celebrity House Tour
From ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous’ to ‘Cribs’ to ‘Open Door,’ what’s behind closed gates never loses its appeal. [Vice] Bonus: 40 Things You Totally Forgot Happened on MTV's 'Cribs' [Cosmopolitan]
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