"Food for Thought: Challenging Big Food/Media’s Monopoly Over Our Media Culture." A.C.M.E. (2003)
Herron, Elise. "Electronics Show Revokes Award For Oregon State University-Designed Sex Toy For Women." Willamette Week (January 8, 2019) [“You cannot pretend to be unbiased if you allow a sex robot for men but not a vagina-focused robotic massager for blended orgasm.”]
Schor, Juliet B. "Born To Buy: The Commercialized Child And The New Consumer Culture." NPR (ND) ["The award-winning author of The Overworked American and The Overspent American examines advertising strategies that promote consumerism from the earliest ages, offering advice to parents and teachers on how to reverse the damaging effects of commercialism on developing children. 35,000 first printing."]
Subisatti, Andrea and Alexander West. "In Plain Sight: The Thing." Faculty of Horror #59 (February 25, 2018) ["John Carpenter’s terrifying cult classic stands the test of time in many regards – from the practical effects, to the performances to the storytelling, there’s little about the film that doesn’t work. Andrea and Alex tackle the film and its stances on leadership, paranoia, the notion of discovery, and more over a bottle of Jim Beam."]
Teruggi, Marco. "The Social Fabric of Chavismo." Verso (January 30, 2019) ["On January 23, Juan Guaidó, who had recently been installed as president of the country’s opposition-led National Assembly, declared himself interim president of Venezuela in an attempt to oust the incumbent, Nicolás Maduro. But with Venezuelan society deeply divided, and the military continuing to support Maduro, it isn't clear how Guaidó can succeed. In this article, Marco Teruggi, who has spent the last six years observing first-hand this complexity as a participant in Venezuela’s communal project, reflects on the opposition’s attempt to form a parallel government and their failure to grasp the social reality of the Chavista base."]
"Watch The Beatles Perform Their Famous Rooftop Concert: It Happened 50 Years Ago Today (January 30, 1969)." Open Culture (January 30, 2019)
Film 1 of the 2019 Paris (KY) Polar Vortex Film Festival:
MB - So many reasons this is now my favorite film of 2018: magnificently portrays the beautiful, verdant Oregon landscapes (if you live somewhere else, imagine the Portland park in the beginning located in the middle of your city) and brings to life the independent hardy/rugged people that live there; we all are searching for community, but some of us have been so damaged by events in our lives that it is almost impossible to accept human companionship; the unbearable weight of realizing you can't help a loved one that is suffering; finding your own way and place to belong in the midst of all this; dogs, they are great companions!; the tragedy of 17 yrs of ongoing global wars and the damaged soldiers that return; the good heart of social workers working within an absurd system (although as systems go this one was better than most); the unknowing cruelty of an unreflective (en)forced charity; realistic portrayal of wildcrafting and living-off-the-grid (the good and the bad).
Film 2 of the 2019 Paris (KY) Polar Vortex Film Festival:
MB - I'm a sucker for deep philosophical and aesthetic discussions; solitary (or with someone) walks through urban spaces; wrestling with and learning from (or not) affairs of the heart; deep platonic attachments to friends that burn as intensely, if not moreso, than one's sexual entanglements; living in the moment and feeling as if it all really means something; an education that actually changes you (will find out later whether it was for better or worse); debates about whether it is more important to remain true to your artistic goals, or to fight/agitate to change the world directly, or to make reams of money and live a life of comfort (I can see all three sides). If you are similarly inclined you will probably enjoy this film as much as I did:
3rd Film: 2019 Paris (KY) Polar Vortex Film Festival
MB - I thought I was going to have to travel to go see this because it wasn't going to come to the city I live in. The political documentary that explores and questions the meaning and history of the concept of democracy is so fraught with difficulties and has rarely produced quality films. This is the best one I have seen and would rank as one of my favorite documentaries of the 21st century. Looking forward to using this in my Peace and Conflict Studies courses and hopefully can get some collective viewings/discussions together. Citizens, activists, teachers, students, anyone - watch this asap and discuss it with others. This is a vital film for our time. Thank you Astra Taylor!
Streaming on Kanopy (check your public or college libraries for free access to this wonderful resource)
What is Democracy? (Trailer) from NFB/marketing on Vimeo.
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