archive

When ideas have sex

From the Department of State's eJournal USA, a special issue on 21st-century agriculture. The cult of the truly bad film: "Best Worst Movie" celebrates the awesome wretchedness of Troll 2 and the superfans who (unironically) love it. Obama has embraced a decidedly utilitarian, and decidedly nerdy style — where did the cool guy go? When ideas have sex: How free exchange between people increases prosperity and trust. And the enlightened tyrants will lead us: Is freedom getting in the way of progress? From Marx & Philosophy Review of Books, a review of Ethical Marxism: The Categorical Imperative of Liberation by Bill Martin; a review of Rescuing Justice and Equality and Why Not Socialism? by G.A. Cohen; and a review of Jurgen Habermas's Between Naturalism and Religion: Philosophical Essays. A review of Obesity: The Biography by Sander L Gilman. Wilson's War: In search for the human connection — or the witty hauteur of a cynical wiseass. Is "Buy Christian" the new "Buy American"? Democracy in danger: Thais once marched for the right to vote, but greater political freedom has led to bitter divisions between the middle classes and the poor — it’s the same story in much of the developing world. Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway on their book Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on Issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming. Is Lady Gaga (the self-proclaimed “fame monster” so well known for her enticing pop music, outrageous fashion, and elaborately-staged spectacles) involved in a pseudo-religious conspiracy of global moment? Live Your Age: David Mekelburg on generational freedom and its subsequent tensions. Liz Brown reviews Role Models by John Waters. Are stars made or are they born? Doesn't matter — reality television killed them off.