This is the online home of Maggie Serota for generalized self-absorption, talking about herself, her friends and crying out for help. Compelling.
I’m still getting some love in my home town.
Michael Alan Goldberg gave me a nice little shout out in the Philadelphia Weekly blog when he reprinted part of my A.V. Club interview with Kurt Vile.
Mad men and women: New York office workers, interviewed by NBC outside 30 Rockefeller Plaza on November 22, 1963, one hour after JFK’s death, blame right-wingers who had been whipping up hatred against the President.
I’ve changed music four or five times. What have you done of any importance other than be white?
Miles Davis’ reply to a Washington society lady seated next to him at a White House reception who had asked him what he had done to be invited. (via napoleonsbattleplan)
eliz:
god bless the Indian summer
Deliciously spiteful feud between Judd Apatow and the writer for That ‘70’s Show. Courtsey of Lindsay who has a write up on the Paul F. Tompkins v Improv Everywhere today.
Lesson: comedy is not to be taken lightly.
But really, the word douche is just like the story the Times did on it, and the generalized sources—the “some people” who “may be offended” by it— they used. It’s empty. It means nothing. It’s a completely subjective assessment of somebody who does something you don’t like. I know people who use the word “douchebag” when referring to other people; I’m willing to bet those same people use the word “douchebag” to refer to the people referring to them. And I’m most disappointed when people I know who use the word could find something more concise, or shocking, or linguistically artful to go with. It’s sold at the Wal-Mart of pejoratives. It’s cheap, it’s made en masse, and there’s nothing but bad preservatives in the ingredients. Let’s all—The New York Times, Bloggers, TV Writers, Those Who Use The Word “Douchebag,” Those Who You Would Call A “Douche,” Bar Patrons, Sports Fans, English Professors, Joe Dolce—become better communicators, and find something better than the word “douche” and its mediocre suffix “bag” to go with.
Foster, calling on all of us to use words better. (via maura)
(via juliasegal)
“I’ve always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer,” Will said. “I really don’t feel that there’s currently liberty and justice for all.”
After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down. The class had a substitute teacher that week, a retired educator from the district, who knew Will’s mother and grandmother. Though the substitute tried to make him stand up, he respectfully refused. He did it again the next day, and the next day.Making the mother-fucking NOISE.
