I am finding more and more of my thinking gets worked out in notebooks and journals. Recently having access to a scanner, I thought I’d share some pages. Continue reading “Workbooks”
The Handbook of Sociology Theory and Philosophy of the Social Sciences
The Handbook of Sociology Theory (Springer) is a monster. Editor Jonathan Turner jokingly calls it an “arm book” instead of a “handbook,” and at 745 pages, it’s really no joke. Instead of compiling a compendium of old, dusty standards, Turner gathered the newest, most-viable theories in sociology, “with an eye to capturing the diversity of theoretical activity.” So, you won’t find your classic Durkheim and Weber in here, but you will find a broad range of cutting-edge research that’s likely to be relevant for years to come. Continue reading “The Handbook of Sociology Theory and Philosophy of the Social Sciences”
Sticker Nation by Srini Kumar
I don’t know how most people feel about stickers, but they make me get all smiley. Sticker Nation (Disinformation) contains over 400 stickers emblazoned with subversive themes. Classic slogans like “Let the good times roll,” “Express yourself,” and “Power to the people” are peppered amongst “I just changed the world,” “Listen to Marshall McLuhan,” “Eat more veggies,” and “Talk nerdy to me.” My personal favorite is “When I hit the drum, you shake the booty,” but it’s difficult to have a favorite when there are so many good ones in here. Continue reading “Sticker Nation by Srini Kumar”
Eugene Thacker: Whole Earth DNA
If, as Martin Heidegger wrote and Michael Heim clarified, philosophy is to stay one step ahead of science, then art is to stay one step ahead of philosophy. Art has the most freedom as a form of exploration, as a method by which to find the limits of a domain of research. That said, Eugene Thacker doesn’t necessarily consider himself an artist, but, as he told Josephine Bosma in an interview for Net-time, “I have always been interested in approaching things from a theoretical viewpoint, as well as exploring the same issues in, for want of a better term, an artistic domain. Sometimes getting different results, sometimes seeing what you can learn from doing those kind of activities.” Continue reading “Eugene Thacker: Whole Earth DNA”
The Essential Frankfurt School Reader
The Frankfurt School has been somewhat of a mystery to me. Mentioned in nearly half the books I read, their thought is synonymous with critical theory. I’ve gotten a lot of secondhand exposure to the school, and I’ve read a fair amount of Horkheimer, Adorno, Benjamin, and Marcuse, but I’ve never felt a full grasp of the movement. Well, The Essential Frankfurt School Reader (Continuum) is here to fix that. It fills the holes and explicates the missing pieces. Continue reading “The Essential Frankfurt School Reader”
Flatland Footage, 2001
I was taking a break from web work in Kirkland, Washington, and my coworker Ben Damron spotted me outside goofing around on my bike. He grabbed his camera and filmed me fumbling about. So, here’s footage of me riding some mediocre flatland from the summer of 2001. Continue reading “Flatland Footage, 2001”
Cage Kennylz: G.R.O.W.N.A.S.S.M.A.N.
Being active in Hip-hop, which is typically thought of as strictly a “youth culture,” doesn’t age well. Growing up is weird enough as it is, but trying to grow up, stay fly, stay true, and stay striving is downright daunting.
Well, Cage Kennylz has grown up in this culture, and unlike those who look silly rocking the mic into their thirties, Cage is growing up and pulling Hip-hop up with him. Continue reading “Cage Kennylz: G.R.O.W.N.A.S.S.M.A.N.”
Almost Full
Maybe just a little bit
May be just enough
I’m usually reveling in possibilities that don’t last
But today I was firmly stuck in the past
Knowing and not knowing both yield the same emotion:
A shuddering ambivalence that oscillates between
Wanting to die
And wanting to kill
It’s like rain you can hear falling
But can’t feel on your skin
A thirst you drink to death
But can’t get your fill
You drink like you’re driving
And you drive like you’re drunk
Another steering-wheel sing-along
With the body in the trunk
Maybe just a little bit
May be just enough
Brake-light hesitation
and gunpoint inspiration
Maybe just a little bit
May be just enough
Old School
I recently found this old article from the “Athens News Courier” in Athens, Alabama circa June, 1982 (I wonder if my hair will still do that). Funny stuff. Continue reading “Old School”
A Million Little Realities
So, the latest Oprah Book Club phenom has come under fire as a fraud. The Smoking Gun has called out many factual discrepancies in James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces. Now, I haven’t read the book or the accusations — nor do I plan to — so, if you’re looking for commentary on that, you’ll have to look elsewhere. The whole to do has gotten me thinking about language and reality, so I’m just using the controversy as an occasion to talk about words. Continue reading “A Million Little Realities”