If there is an American fiction writer better able to surprise us with an ending than T.C. Boyle, I can’t imagine who it might be. Boyle is that rare talent whose work is realistic enough to grip the imagination, creating the possibility of happiness or disaster, and build up real speed towards the finale, allowingContinue reading “The Surprise Endings of T.C. Boyle”
Category Archives: culture
Why We Need More Climate Change Fiction
"’Thou Shalt Not’ might reach the head, but it takes ‘Once upon a time" to reach the heart." –Philip Pullman in the Atlantic
Into the Wild: Looking Beyond the Obvious
When the news broke fifteen years ago about an idealistic young man who starved to death in Alaska, I reacted badly. Plenty of folks, myself included, go alone into the wild and emerge unscathed; in fact, restored to Muirean health and sanity. The national fascination with Chris McCandless’s sad end seemed morbid to me —Continue reading “Into the Wild: Looking Beyond the Obvious”
Why Radiohead Is Giving Away Their Record
Somebody–the ever-thoughtful Ann Powers at the Los Angeles Times–finally gets to the heart of the reason why Radiohead is selling their new record for whatever price you’re willing to pay. It’s about the album. They want you to appreciate the record as a whole. They think rock music is about art and exploration, not justContinue reading “Why Radiohead Is Giving Away Their Record”
A Short but Unfair Review of “The 11th Hour”
If there is one thing the imminent end of the world should not be, it’s boring. I’m sorry, but as much as I admire producer Leonardo DiCaprio for his acting and his long-standing commitment to environmental causes, this is a godawful piece of film. "The 11th Hour" knows a lot about science and the earth,Continue reading “A Short but Unfair Review of “The 11th Hour””
Why Addicts Make the Best Rock Stars
Seriously, think about it: Why is it that hard drug addicts (including Jerry Garcia, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Ray Charles, and countless, countless others) seem to make the best rock stars? I once talked to a brain scientist who actually had an answer to this question. She probably wouldn’t want to be named, but arguedContinue reading “Why Addicts Make the Best Rock Stars”
Rock’s Everyman: Jeff Tweedy
Jeff Tweedy, who leads the evolving band known as Wilco, doesn’t look much like a rock star. He doesn’t dye his hair, grow it long or shave it off. He doesn’t flaunt tattoos, squeeze into tight pants or stomp around in boots. He wears jeans and a T-shirt, stares unhappily at cameras and in generalContinue reading “Rock’s Everyman: Jeff Tweedy”
“Storm World” — Understanding Hurricanes Today
On his site, science writer Chris Mooney recently posted a fascinating pair of graphs, courtesy of collaborator Matt Nisbet, which chart public interest in global warming. As the years march by, the charts show what happens when scientific reports are released, when politics intervene — and when hurricanes strike, as measured by coverage at theContinue reading ““Storm World” — Understanding Hurricanes Today”
Just Lookin’
Don’t often talk about the movies in this space, despite my love for them, but for Barbara Stanwyck, born one hundred years ago today, we must make an exception. And must link to a superb essay by Anthony Lane, that ran earlier this year in The New Yorker. He includes a snatch of dialogue fromContinue reading “Just Lookin’”
The 2007 Ojai Music Festival
A preview. I liked the way pianist Amy Williams described this year’s music director and principal soloist, Pierre-Laurent Aimard: “He’s a god. He’s one of those extraordinary musicians whose playing is near-perfect or perfect. I always try to hear his concerts whenever I can, and I’m always surprised and fed musically by what he does.”Continue reading “The 2007 Ojai Music Festival”
Kit Stolz 