My head nodded knowingly, along many other part-time scribes, as I read Wil Wheaton’s piece last Fall about turning down Huffington Post’s offer to e-print a popular article of his in exchange for “exposure.” Wil Wheaton touches on what appears to be one of the most infuriating aspects of the modern economy (though I know examples of it have existed for ages): exposure is sufficient payment for creative work. Robert Bevan, from a post on…
Roger Corman, the indefatigable indie film icon, has apparently fallen afoul of financial shenanigans because of others’ mismanagement as detailed in this piece by Eriq Gardner in The Hollywood Reporter. I, for one, am looking forward to Death Race 2050.
It’s well known that the Internet has disrupted existing industries like a rampaging honey badger. It’s probably also obvious –upon reflection– that this easily extends into the realm of politics. A long-form article by Timothy B. Lee appearing on Vox.com delves into how this has factored into the current political season. No matter how you view some of the candidates, it’s interesting to see how this is shaking up the status quo — and also…
Jokes from my previous post about cheerleaders’ souls aside, it’s good to note that the debate about whether a business should seek profit to the exclusion of all else, or join it with purpose has raged for years, as explored in this article from Inc. by Bill Saporito. Personally, I like it when businesses are profit-minded, but purpose-driven. (At some point when I’m not feeling swamped with deadlines, I’ll elaborate on that phrase.)
I’m always interested in learning about a particular business industry’s ecosystem. How do some businesses become the major player? How do they fall? How do new companies displace them? So with that in mind, take a look at Leigh Buchanan’s piece in Inc. on Rebel Athletic and the surprisingly pitched battle in the cheerleader apparel industry. Put another way: Come for the glitter, stay for the reflections on what makes a “Challenger Brand.”
One of the reasons I love history is how often it proves the maxim “truth is stranger than fiction.” So here’s this week’s recommended reading from Cara Giaimo about how weathermen couldn’t talk about tornados. Mind blown (or perhaps whisked away to Oz).
I didn’t get to read this sprawling, thoughtful article by Adam Rogers that appeared in Wired until now. So, it’s possible that you’ve already read it. However, for those of you interested in the film industry, how this storytelling trend is impacting the industry (“…the auteur gives way to the team player”), or just Star Wars, give yourself an uninterrupted chunk of time to dive in. Even as we speak, multiple futures (and pasts) are being written
Moving from last week’s discussion of television to a discussion of film, this week’s recommended reading goes more to the previous week’s thoughts on fannish nostalgia. Ray Harryhausen appears to be one of those objects permanently stuck in the amber of my nostalgia. I go back and watch the films with some regularity. Lord knows many aren’t good… and yet Ray’s stop-action creatures remain extraordinary. They are alive and vital and imperfect in a way that awakens…
Interesting piece by Nathan Heller in The New Yorker about the past, present, and future of air travel. Hmm. Does my passport need to be renewed?
Last week, I made passing reference to Television’s “Golden Age,” an often-invoked, but still rather unofficial designation for the TV-viewing time we find ourselves in. Yes, I know some people still want to cling to the 50s being a golden age, but while my adoration for some skits of Your Show of Shows and episodes of I Love Lucy is second to none, please. TV is currently rocking. One of the side effects of this embarrassment…