Posts by author
Pat Johnson
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Don’t Forget the “T”
Politicians have been coming out in droves recently in support of LGBT rights. But is the “T” in LGBT being fully represented? The New Yorker’s Emily Greenhouse doesn’t think so. In her article “Dropping the ‘T’: Trans Rights in the Marriage Era,”…
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An Ode to Roger Ebert
The New Yorker pays tribute to Roger Ebert in “Postscript: Roger Ebert, 1942-2013.” The article states: Ebert writes, in the introduction to his 2006 anthology of his work, “Awake in the Dark,” of seeing “three movies during a routine workday,” and,…
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The Black Panther Party: American Revolutionaries
The Black Panther Party’s controversial and revolutionary politics have been a topic of intrigue and debate since the party’s inception. Historians Joshua Bloom and Waldo E. Martin, Jr. attempt to clarify and demystify some of the myths of the Black…
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Neal Pollack’s Tumultuous Writing Career
In a recent AV Club interview, Neal Pollack discusses his tumultuous career as a writer and how he came to find a profitable niche in online self-publishing. Pollack states: Yeah. I’m grateful. I spent a lot of years wondering, “Why…
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Archer and a History of Underground Comix
In his “On Archer’s Underground Comix Roots,” Charles Bock discusses the history of adult Comix and how they laid the foundation for cartoons like The Simpsons and Archer. Bock claims: Comix. That sudden x. In 1958 the Motion Picture Association of America slapped Xs…
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Let’s Get Real
Philosophers have been debating the merits of authenticity since Plato. Steve Poole’s essay “Why are we so obsessed with the pursuit of authenticity?” explores the obsession with authenticity in contemporary culture and how it influences our perception of reality. Poole…
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Feminist Porn
There’s a great interview at Salon with Tristan Taormino, discussing her new book, The Feminist Porn Book: The Politics of Producing Pleasure. In the conversation, Taormino talks about everything from vulvas to “porn for women.” Taormino states: But, certainly, besides the process of…
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A McSweeney’s Update
If any Rails Developers out there are looking for part-time (possibility for full-time) work, our friends at McSweeney’s seek help updating and expanding the McSweeney’s iOS App, the Internet Tendency, and their online store. Also, check out McSweeney’s Garage Sale; they’re selling books…
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H.P. Lovecraft and the birth of “Blogging”
Just as H.P. Lovecraft valued the disposition of cats over dogs (see his essay “Cats and Dogs”), he championed the motives of “amateur” writers who wrote for the love of writing rather than commercial success. Lovecraft states: Our amateurs write purely…
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Sex in the CIA
Reuel Gerecht’s article “Spooky Sex: Inside the Randy Culture of the CIA” explores the history of sex in the CIA and why American culture is quick to condemn and punish the romantic infidelity of CIA officers. Before we down more…
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Upcoming Events featuring Jerry Stahl
Hey, Bay Area! Next week, Rumpus contributor Jerry Stahl is performing at two events you won’t want to miss. February 27th, 7 pm at Moe’s Books in Berkeley, Jerry will be reading from his new book, Bad Sex On Speed. He’ll be joined by Rich Ferguson…
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Want a free ticket to a private Beck Show?
Our friends at The Believer are giving away ten free tickets to “Beck’s Song Reader” at Sonos Studios next Thursday evening in Los Angeles. Check it out: The event isn’t open to the public, so if you want to come chill…