Critic, Critique Thyself by A.O. Scott I think A.O. Scott is a good film critic. I also think he’s great at writing about being a film critic. Upon the announcement that he’s stepping down from the co-lead position assessing the … Continue reading Outside Reading — The Balcony Is Closed edition
It’s Not About Hypocrisy by Laura Wagner Reminding me of my favorite McSweeney’s article, Laura Wagner writes about the the proud left-wing elation in response to Jon Stewart’s recent interview with a Republican lawmaker from Oklahoma. A clip made the … Continue reading Outside Reading — Cognitive Dissonance edition
As Dollar Stores Proliferate, Some Communities Say No by Michael Corkery Reporting for The New York Times, Michael Corkery writes about local governments rejecting the incursion of predatory discount shops that underpay employees and strategically drain the local economy, by … Continue reading Outside Reading — Bottom Dollar
The Undoing of Affirmative Action by Emily Bazelon Writing for The New York Times Magazine, Emily Bazelon reports on the 1978 case Regents of the University of California v. Bakke as a precursor to the anticipation continuance of right-wing wet … Continue reading Outside Reading — Precedents edition
the only good coffee is bad coffee by Helena Fitzgerald Although I am also a devotee of brews of high quality, my belief system is also aligned with the gospel truth about the considerable pleasures of bad coffee detailed by … Continue reading Outside Reading — Night Coffee edition
The Grammys Are Built on a Delusion by Spencer Kornhaber It’s been ages since I cared about the selections made for the Grammy Awards (my obsessive tendencies are directed at a different showbiz trophy), but even I can acknowledge that … Continue reading Outside Reading — Tarnished edition
For the First Time Ever, I’m Optimistic About Women in the Movie World by Manohla Dargis Writing for The New York Times, Manohla Dargis surveys the state of the entertainment industry’s openness to women filmmakers and, for maybe the first … Continue reading Outside Reading — Women Helming
When Public Money Becomes Private by Lyz Lenz Writing in her own newsletter, Men Yell at Me, Lyz Lenz details how the longstanding right-wing crusade to divert public education funds towards charter schools has other private institutions does irreparable damage … Continue reading Outside Reading — Be Cruel to Your School
Gaining Accolades While Covering War Victims in Burkina Faso by Clair MacDougall In the regular Saturday Profile section of The New York Times, Clair MacDougall spotlight another journalist. Mariam Ouédraogo has earned several awards, including recently one the most prestigious, … Continue reading Outside Reading — The Truth Is Coming edition
I’m a Scientist Who Spoke Up About Climate Change. My Employer Fired Me. by Rose Abramoff Writing for The New York Times, Rose Abramoff recounts her experience engaging in wholly understandable — if deliberately disruptive — activism informed by her … Continue reading Outside Reading — Hostile Climate edition
Coffee for Two 