The Writers' Strike: A New Development

The Los Angeles Times discusses an interesting development in the Writers Guild of America strike here. Matthew Yglesias offers this analysis: "The TV and movie studios business models are fundamentally all about controlling the channels of distribution -- the very thing the rise of the internet disrupts. But they still have a massive leg-up in the new medium simply because of all the embedded human capital in the form of relationships with the talent.

"They seem to have decided, however, that the dawning of the digital age is mostly a good time to try to claw back compensation from their workforce rather than a time when good relations with their workforce are becoming more important than ever in a world where control of the distribution channels is becoming less and less important."

IQ Tests

Once in a while, racism infects our public discourse, as it unfortunately seems to be doing again. Malcolm Gladwell discusses here what IQ tests measure and don't measure.

The (dying Art of) the American Essay

Cristina Nehring discusses here what's wrong with the American essay--and maybe it's why I prefer passionately misguided essays to the more righteous but laid-back variety.

Why I Haven't Been Watching the Presidential Debates

Why haven't I been watching the candidates for president in any of their debates? Nicholas von Hoffman (on the most recent Democratic debate) and Steve Benen (on last night's Republican debate) explain why: I'd probably lose all faith in American "democracy."

Who anointed these media gasbags to be the interlocutors? And since when did people wanting to ask questions have to be properly "vetted"--why isn't being an American citizen enough?

Foolish questions, I know.

Let Leftovers Be Leftovers

Some good post-Thanksgiving advice.