From Esprit, an essay on the presence of African literature and the evolution of literary criticism, publishing, and readership. The Caribbean Review of Books is a delight to the book-hungry mind (and more). Arise, Sir Salman: Rushdie's knighthood reignites "Salmanophobia" at home and abroad. Tender is the knighthood: Salman Rushdie could have been an icon for the best kind of literary globalisation; instead he has become a global Guy Fawkes. Angels in the Mud: Writers and poets are flocking to New Orleans in droves, drawing inspiration — and the usual assortment of unique characters — from Katrina's sad aftermath. Whose life is it anyway? In a reckless moment the poet throws his life on to a scrapheap. He feels no better and tries to retrieve it. But it’s been stolen.
From Think Tank, an interview with Wiley Hausam, executive Director of the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts at New York University, and Judy Kaye, on the American Musical (and part 2). Can the masses appreciate modern art? The Documenta art extravaganza in Kassel is betting they can. For the first time ever, organizers are doing everything they can to help locals to understand the art — and art-lovers to understand the locals. L'Art Pour L'Art: Art makes a lie out of the expression the sky is the limit. One hot seat: On the centenary of Charles Eames's birth, a tribute to his revolutionary chair, which helped launch the notion of democratic design. When Dave Marcucci decided to turn his lawn into a public square, people thought he was crazy. Now, though, everyone wants a seat.
From The New Criterion, an essay on David Halberstam and the media's ethos of irresponsibility. Like a Feral Beast: Tony Blair on how today's media are too concerned with "impact" (and a response by Daniel Henninger of The Wall Street Journal). Big Media vs. the grassroots: OJR talks to two experts about the role of government in ensuring equal access to the marketplace of ideas. Internet repression is eroding freedom of expression online as more governments block sites and arrest bloggers, Amnesty International warns. See no evil? There's an inverse correlation between the regulation of speech and the freedom of a society. Trying to filter the internet is ridiculous and dangerous. An article on YouTube and the battle of Technology vs. Censorship.
From Technology Review, Second Earth: The World Wide Web will soon be absorbed into the World Wide Sim: an environment combining elements of Second Life and Google Earth. The Power of Poo-Poo: How a 30-second video clip about chapped lips propelled a local man to Internet stardom and taught the world to love Poo-Poo. A review of The Cult of the Amateur: How Today's Internet Is Killing Our Culture by Andrew Keen (and more). Mass Culture 2.0: Prominent librarian Michael Gorman utters dire warnings about new media. Scott McLemee hits the books. From Wired, an article on Narcissistic Blog Disorder and other conditions of online kookery.
