The other night my roommate and I discussed ethnic slurs. He claimed that since people gave words their power, people could take it away. Using the “N” word, for instance,…
Different than fiction
After watching 12 Years a Slave, I’m sort of confused about how the public has responded. Lots of people are calling the film “torture porn.” Others concentrate on the film’s…
So Portland
A lot of bar encounters in this town inevitably turn to the subject of whence you came, where you’re going and how long you’ve been in Portland. If the person…
New marketing campaigns by Beyoncé and Netflix let the audience be the critic
Oh man, Beyoncé really did it this time. If you haven’t experienced her new self-titled album, the rock you’re living under must be warm and well-decorated. Beyoncé infuses experimental hip-pop,…
An alternative view on “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson’s suspension
Millions of hearts—though probably literally saved—broke when the Food Network let Paula Deen go for all those hateful words she spewed back in the day. It made sense. For over…
Instagrief: Advice for millenials on the pitfalls of Facebook and personal branding
Michael Cobb visited Portland State this past fall and read a paper about—among other things—self-presentation on social networks. Though Bill Maher called out the millennial kids for not losing it…
Golden Illusion
As sure as Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time, I am a fiend for award season. Despite all of my interest in artistic relativism, award season…
The Perspective Hierarchy
The criticisms of the HBO series Girls that really bother me aren’t the ones made by crass tweeters about Lena Dunham’s naked body. Internet message boards are full of belligerent…
A Simulacrum in a Pear Tree
“Christmas isn’t about presents,” never sat well with me. Even as a 7-year-old with dreams of PlayStations dancing in my head, I recognized that, sure, Christmas isn’t all about presents,…
Half the Quality, Twice the Price
When I’m done listening to the four or five tracks that actually deliver on Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience: Part 1, I move to Part 2 where there are four…
The Artistic Reinvention Problem
On the one hand, technology’s ability to simplify and speed up popular media distribution is good. Globalized media allows faster delivery and democratizes art. The easier it is to put…