🌍 Culture Making

• 🎭One hand, one heart, two tongues

  A discussion on the bilingual revival of _West Side Story_ and its efforts to redress cultural biases.

• 🚑Baby on board

  A compelling exploration of how innovative engineering methods can overcome the challenges of delivering effective medical equipment in the developing world.

• 🏆Golden idol fails to deliver on promise, again

  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has secured a legal victory over the heirs of Mary Pickford regarding the sale of her Oscar statuette.

• 🎶Hymn 101, by Joe Pug

  One of my favorite songs from the past six months captures a unique vibe.

• 📜Texting in cuneiform

  Reflecting on the tactile experience of ancient cuneiform tablets, this piece explores their significance in understanding life in Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon.

• 😺The MagnifiCat (srsly)

  An exploration of the cultural implications of the LOLCat Bible Translation Project, considering its balance between humor and reverence.

• 🌀The stream-of-consciousness discipline

  An exploration of how modern technology influences writing, contrasting the unfiltered flow of Kerouac's prose with the editing capabilities of contemporary word processors.

• 🎨Franklin’s Footpath, by Gene Davis, 1972

  Celebrating the vibrant artistry of Gene Davis, known for his iconic striped color paintings.

• 🌳Nabokov on the translator’s art

  An exploration of the complexities of translation through Nabokov's vivid metaphor.

• 🕌A xerox on the face of eternity

  A reflection on the stories surrounding iconic structures like the Taj Mahal and their designers, alongside a contemporary debate about architectural copyright.

• 🎭Not as I do

  An examination of hypocrisy reveals its emotional grip, despite not invalidating the stance of the hypocrite.

• 🔄Accept, fuse, rehabilitate

  Quoting Walt Whitman.

• 🎨Ontbijtje, by Robert Amesbury

  I had the joy of witnessing Rob's artistic journey as he melds old Dutch traditions with contemporary visual culture.

• 🎥This old webcam

  Exploring how artisans can share their craft while attracting more work.

• ✍️Copies

  A celebration of beautifully handcrafted French signage, showcasing its unique charm and artistry.

• ⚖️The tiniest culture war

  An exploration of the polarized perceptions surrounding nanotechnology and its societal implications.

• 📚Bringing back the New Deal for writers

  The Federal Writers Project offers a fascinating glimpse into history, highlighting a call to revive such initiatives for modern journalists affected by economic downturns.

• 🧀Cheese and ashes

  Reflecting on a memorable cheese experience shared with a friend, especially highlighting Morbier's unique features and flavor.

• 🌀Spiritual Shopper

  Quoting Kathleen Norris on the mishmash of religious experiences devoid of depth and context.

• 📝Wallpaper

  A fascinating look at how a gas station in Adrian, Texas transformed restroom graffiti into a positive and creative community expression.

• 📚On the migration of books

  Orhan Pamuk reflects on the meaningful connection between his reading journey and his father's library, evoking thoughts on the books we cherish and share.

• 🎶The birthplace of the blues

  Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn collaborates with Malian bluesman Ali Fakra Toure in the vibrant setting of Timbuktu.

• 🏺Blogs as ‘Cabinets of Wonder’

  Exploring the concept of blogs as modern-day "cabinets of wonder," a fascinating comparison to Renaissance collections of curiosity.

• 👜Heaven on earth in plastic

  A curious find at a café connects the practical to the eternal.

• 🎭Network ≠ community

  Exploring the nuanced impact of recommender systems on cultural diversity and individual experiences.

• 📚If you offer it, they will come

  Reflecting on the resurgence of literary interest, John Parker examines the appeal of classic literature amidst modern cultural critiques.

• 🎨More stuff that’s good

  Quoting Ira Glass on the diversity of creative work.

• 🖨️The Ghost of a Printing Press, photo by Chris Norris

  Exploring the remnants of a once-magnificent printing press, Chris Norris captures a piece of history in this photograph.

• 🍽️A timeline of food

  A fascinating look at the timeline of food inventions and when certain dishes first came to be enjoyed.

• 🌿Spice souk, Deira Creek, Dubai

  I appreciate the ungrounded spices in this display, showcasing their natural form.

• 🎻We cannot know what to expect

  Michael Bérubé discusses the evolving expectations of children with Down syndrome in response to Peter Singer's views.

• 🌾Between common and professional

  An insightful exploration of the interplay between tradition and innovation in the shaping of North America's landscape by early European settlers.

• 🎭Follies

  Reflecting on the cultural impact of Florenz Ziegfeld and his legacy in entertainment.

• 🎨Remember (I was torn between), by Jay Kelly

  Southern California artist Jay Kelly creates uplifting and beautiful collages that meld various artistic styles into cohesive works.

• 🐔Chicken à la Queens

  A halal poultry store in Queens creates unexpected connections among diverse communities.

• 📅Church - for when you can’t buy booze

  This study explores the impact of blue laws on religious participation and behavior in society.

• 🎤Ella Fitzgerald, One Note Samba, 1969

  A friend asked me for a suitable Ella Fitzgerald recording for her wedding, leading me to choose her rendition of "Too Marvelous for Words."

• 🖌️William Blake, life mask

  Exploring the enduring legacy and artistry of William Blake through his life mask.

• 🎶Now That’s What I Call Not Music 1!

  A vivid account of the tumultuous reaction to the first public performance of the noise orchestra in Milan in 1914.

• 🎶Now That’s What I Call Not Music 3!

  William Carlos Williams reflects on George Antheil's "Ballet Mechanique" and its impact on experiencing the noise of life.

• 🥳Pillow Fight Buenos Aires

  A lively flash mob of teenagers gathers for an epic pillow fight in Parque Palermo, showcasing the joy of spontaneous community events.

• 🎶Now That’s What I Call Not Music 2!

  An exploration of audience reactions to Edgard Varèse's "Hyperprism" and the dichotomy between concept and substance in modern sound compositions.

• 🦃On Thanksgiving

  Sarah Vowell offers a humorous observation about the irony of Thanksgiving celebrations and American independence.

• 🦃Wild Turkey, by John James Audubon

  Audubon's art often required his subjects to be hunted first, illustrating a complex relationship between nature and preservation.

• 🦃Frank Zappa with his parents at home

  As Thanksgiving nears, we reflect on the home and the importance of those who inspire our creative journeys.

• 🎨The out-of-left-field kind of science

  Robert Tjian reflects on the importance of passion-driven science over large-scale projects in fostering transformative discoveries.

• 🎶“Gaviota,” performed Amália Rodrigues

  A lovely performance from the late diva of fado, Amália Rodrigues, showcasing the longing-infused essence of this Portuguese music style.

• 🌎Med students, majority culture, and alternative medicine

  Exploring the contrasting views of non-white medical students on alternative medicine reveals deeper cultural dynamics at play.

• 🌽¡Tamales oaxaqueños!

  You can hear it from blocks away, the unmistakable call of tamale vendors echoing through Mexico City.

• 🎨Cartonlandia, by Ana Serrano

  I adore the vibrant color and unique spatial qualities in the collage-like sculpture by Ana Serrano.