A hit list of stuff on the interwebs holding my attention for the time being:
These guys from McNally Jackson Booksellers go-in about Frazen’s Freedom. If you’re in the literary/publishing world, you may be over hearing about it. But this exchange is hilarious and insightful.
In another -freude, TAP’s Jamelle Bouie has made war with Kos in his review of American Taliban. It sort of seems like a generational battle baby boomers versus the next generation (X and millenials), but maybe not. But I think it’s healthy to agree to disagree here. I also believe in precision in language. I gotta side with Team Bouie on this one. I see no good in conflating political realities of the Taliban and authoritarianism with our version of democracy. I don’t feel that in the language of drawing parallels between the two regimes serves any useful purpose except promoting a limited point of view of Islam as well as accepting the terms of the conservative movement’s framing and shaping of domestic policy through the prism of a clash of civilizations. I respect a lot of things from Daily Kos and certainly Digby (reading them both as far back as 2003/4). Yet, I have to wonder how much rhetoric inflames the progressive/left base to move towards meaningful action? I want to regain balance too as evidenced by my obsession with our American narrative, but I don’t think using the opponents’ language in persuading the left, center or independents will do a greater good.
Another book I’ll likely read before I read American Taliban or Freedom, is this chronicling of the Great Migration.
Also, speaking of Labor Day, did you know Tony Blair has a controversial memoir out? In all the freudes, I nearly missed this sideshow. (Yet another book to add to the list before I’ll read Freedom or American Taliban.)
I love mixtapes. And podcasts. The Fader’s latest podcast of fine music folk featured in their latest issue. I’m rather fond of this single:
Spike Lee’s Annual Michael Jackson Birthday Party in Prospect Park also sponsored a mixtape. Get it. You know you want to.
J.W. Basillo’s Busted Mouth Podcast features ‘real talk’ with writers/poets/spoken word artists/publishers. Basillo’s based out of Chicago and is a natural radio host. The current episode features poets Jamal May, Duncan Shields, Jeanann Verlee and Adam Falkner. It’s also available on iTunes
Other hits:
