#cultural-critique

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fromColossal
6 days ago

Cosemtics and Cosmos Blend in Circe Irasema's Wooden Sculptures

Painting for Circe Irasema is a question of time, influenced by the male gaze in art history.
Social justice
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 week ago

Summer of Our Discontent by Thomas Chatterton Williams review muddled take on race, politics and class

Thomas Chatterton Williams critiques both the Trumpian right and its leftwing critics, identifying himself as a freethinker while acknowledging his own liberal beliefs.
#gen-z
fromVulture
1 week ago

Ari Aster Explains the 'Very Strong Politics' of Eddington

Ari Aster's new film is a two-and-a-half-hour dark comedy depicting a politically fraught New Mexico town during COVID-19, igniting reactions at its Cannes premiere.
Film
fromSlate Magazine
1 week ago

Billy Joel Is One of History's Most Popular Musicians. So Why Do So Many of Us Hate Him?

The first music you hate is as significant as the first music you love.
fromJezebel
2 weeks ago

Lena Dunham Says She Saw MAGA's Rise Coming

"There were so many people who, when the voices of—whatever we want to call it—really alt-right, or MAGA, or conservative voices, Proud Boys or whatever started to rise, and people were like, 'I'm so shocked by the way people are talking.' I was like, 'I'm not,'" Dunham stated, reflecting on the early signs of a societal shift she observed during her show's run.
LGBT
fromJezebel
2 weeks ago

In Defense of Hugh Grant Falling Asleep at Wimbledon

Hugh Grant's mid-match nap during Wimbledon sparked debates about tennis culture and privilege.
fromVulture
3 weeks ago

Can the New York Times Turn Its Writers Into Video Stars?

Wesley Morris showcases a unique blend of cultural critique and personal reflection through his new podcast, Cannonball, tackling the impact of digital consumption on non-visual media.
Podcast
Social justice
fromThe Atlantic
4 weeks ago

Adults Have Always Wondered If the Kids Are Alright

Concerns about youth behaviors have persisted over the decades, often reflecting societal anxieties about changing norms.
Music
fromThe New Yorker
4 weeks ago

Lorde Strips Down to Start Over

Lorde blends demystification and mysticism in her music, challenging cultural narratives and exploring personal identity through her experiences.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Is it OK to read Infinite Jest in public? Why the internet hates performative reading'

Reading in public has become associated with performative behavior and personal branding, leading to ridicule rather than appreciation.
fromTruthout
1 month ago

Queer Appalachian Authors Are Challenging J.D. Vance's False Narratives

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in queer Appalachians sharing their stories through literature, challenging the stereotypes perpetuated by earlier narratives like Hillbilly Elegy.
LGBT
Books
fromSlate Magazine
1 month ago

What Do Americans Actually Want to Read? One Author Crunched the Numbers-and Wrote It.

Tom Comitta's 'People's Choice Literature' contrasts reader preferences in fiction through two opposite-themed novels.
fromInverse
1 month ago

Netflix Just Quietly Released The Most Exciting Fantasy Thriller Of The Year

Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans cleverly blend the thrilling aspects of K-pop fandom with supernatural elements, reflecting the excitement and challenges of idol culture.
Independent films
#television
#masculinity
fromColossal
1 month ago

Romeo Mivekannin's Cage-Like Sculptures of Museums Reframe the Colonial Past

Mivekannin's work highlights the colonialist practices and ethical dilemmas tied to ethnographic museums, calling for a reconsideration of their presents and pasts.
Arts
Arts
fromstupiddope.com
1 month ago

Barbara Kruger's Another day. Another night' to Command the Guggenheim Bilbao | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

Barbara Kruger’s exhibition at Guggenheim Bilbao challenges societal norms through bold visuals and language.
fromPsychology Today
1 month ago

Why Doing Nothing with Others Is the Best Thing We Can Do

Our culture teaches us to prioritize utility over humanity, making us overlook the unique worth and rich inner worlds of individuals.
Mindfulness
Women
fromBusiness Insider
1 month ago

Sabrina Carpenter is on her knees as a man holds her hair on her new album cover. It's got people talking.

Sabrina Carpenter highlights increased scrutiny of female artists in today's music industry.
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Real Housewives is coming to London? I can't wait for the boozed-up shouting to begin | Emma Beddington

Real Housewives in London showcases glamorous middle-aged women but raises questions about its impact on perceptions of womanhood.
fromTheartnewspaper
1 month ago

An expert's guide to Postmodernism: five must-read books on the movement

Charles Jencks significantly shaped Postmodern architectural theory, marking a departure from Modernism through influential literature and the Cosmic House.
The Cosmic House exemplifies Postmodern design and continues to host relevant exhibitions that explore its themes.
Fashion & style
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

Chic' is dead, says Vogue. Is it time to revive jazzy', snazzy' and swish'? | Emma Beddington

The word 'chic' has lost its original meaning and essence due to overuse and misapplication.
There's a need for alternative descriptions to keep language fresh and expressive.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Why am I filled with nostalgia for a pre-internet age I never knew? | Isabel Brooks

Many young people feel nostalgia for a pre-internet world, believing it offered more authentic social interactions.
Social media fosters uniformity, leading to commodified friendships and a loss of unique self-expression.
Paris food
fromThe Atlantic
2 months ago

How to Look at Paul Gauguin

Paul Gauguin's legacy fluctuates between romanticized hero and controversial figure, reflecting more on public perception than on his actual life.
#higher-education
Higher education
fromNew York Post
4 months ago

The tide has turned against elite universities - and it's about time

Elite American universities have acted unethically and illegally, undermining their integrity and leading to a potential decline.
The rise of politically charged biases and segregation in elite universities over the decades has transformed their role in society.
Higher education
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

There's nothing elitist about college or university. We should reject that idea | Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti

The Trump administration's stance on higher education menaces funding and redefines its elitism narrative.
Higher education
fromNew York Post
4 months ago

The tide has turned against elite universities - and it's about time

Elite American universities have acted unethically and illegally, undermining their integrity and leading to a potential decline.
The rise of politically charged biases and segregation in elite universities over the decades has transformed their role in society.
fromPsychology Today
2 months ago

What Is Non-Conventionalism?

Conventions often dictate behavior, but many have no valid reasons for conformity, prompting non-conventionalism.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Paul Durcan obituary

Durcan's poetry is oblique, exhilarating, unsettling and diverting all at once, never hesitating to take off into a realm of the surreal.
Writing
fromenglish.elpais.com
2 months ago

Why it's better not to listen to Spotify playlists

Spotify's algorithms influence music choices, prioritizing profit and user behavior over personal preference.
fromThe Nation
2 months ago

Captured in the Rapture

Opposing the Israeli government is viewed by some as a stance against a major source of antisemitism worldwide, merging politics with deep-seated cultural narratives.
Right-wing politics
fromInsideHook
2 months ago

Please Don't Refer to Women as "Females"

Men often refer to women as 'females,' which many women find cringeworthy due to its impersonal and overly scientific nature, causing discomfort in gender context.
Women
Arts
fromTheartnewspaper
2 months ago

Are museums 'guilt tripping' their visitors? No, they aren't doing enough

Museum labels need to address political realities and colonial histories more rigorously.
fromwww.npr.org
2 months ago

17 new books our critics can't wait to read this summer

Bolin's collection examines millennial pop culture obsessions through a lens of (post)feminism, late capitalism, and technology, linking these themes to cultish thinking.
Books
fromVulture
2 months ago

We Need to Talk About Kevin (Spacey)

"The Better World Fund invited me to this dinner, reflecting just how split reality has become, as a recipient of a lifetime achievement award for Kevin Spacey was celebrated despite serious allegations against him."
Film
Arts
fromstupidDOPE | Est. 2008
2 months ago

Maurizio Cattelan Curates The Endless Sunday at Centre Pompidou-Metz's 15-Year Milestone | stupidDOPE | Est. 2008

Maurizio Cattelan's exhibition transforms the Centre Pompidou-Metz into a multi-sensory exploration of modernity and cultural critique.
The Endless Sunday spans the entire museum, using its spaces as platforms for dialogue between art and absurdity.
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Margaret Atwood's 10 best books ranked!

Atwood's sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, titled The Testaments, coincides with the success of the show's adaptation and the political climate under Trump.
Women in technology
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Robert De Niro attacks Trump in Cannes speech: This isn't just America's problem'

In my country, we are fighting like hell for the democracy we once took for granted. That affects all of us here, because art is the crucible that brings people together.
Paris food
Black Lives Matter
fromThe Root
2 months ago

Black Woman Who Claims She's the Times Square Statue Now Has a Puzzling Request

A 12-foot statue of a Black woman in Times Square sparks varied reactions, emphasizing both representation and differing opinions on its portrayal.
Film
fromwww.theguardian.com
2 months ago

Crash at 20: is it the worst best picture winner of all time?

"Crash" remains a controversial Best Picture winner, often criticized for its execution despite its ambition to address complex themes like racism.
fromThe Atlantic
2 months ago

Is Popular Culture Really in Terminal Decline?

There's a growing perception that we are in a cultural dark age, impacting arts and societal well-being.
Arts
fromwww.npr.org
2 months ago

'Wait Wait' for May 3, 2025: With Not My Job guest Natasha Rothwell

The show features a humorous blend of current events and cultural critiques led by Peter Sagal with a talented ensemble.
fromSlate Magazine
2 months ago

Are Those Movies in Which Ben Affleck Plays an Autistic Killer Offensive ... or Just Kind of Great?

Autistic representation in media is often cliched and fails to capture the true experience, while some portrayals successfully embrace the differences as strengths.
Arts
fromArtforum
3 months ago

Immoral Authority

Western perspectives on Middle Eastern reforms deserve critical engagement amid contrasting global political climates.
fromIndependent
3 months ago

Catherine Prasifka: Forget the fad diets, protein popcorn and religious training regimens - your body is not a machine to be hacked

The latest season of Netflix's Black Mirror features an episode where users can optimise their lives through an app, impacting their self-perception profoundly.
Digital life
Cars
fromHigh Country News
3 months ago

The Cybertruck is all tricks and no truck, a musky Tesla fail - High Country News

The Cybertruck is criticized not only for its design but also for its inadequate functionality as a truck.
Artificial intelligence
fromWIRED
3 months ago

An Acclaimed Book About Digital Manipulation Was Actually Written by AI

The book explores the nature of truth and reality in the digital age through the lens of a fictional author.
US politics
fromwww.nytimes.com
3 months ago

Opinion | All Good Things Come to an End. What About Bad Things?

The long-running conversation series between Bret Stephens and Gail Collins concluded, reflecting on their engaging dialogue style and political commentary.
fromBuzzFeed
3 months ago

Non-Americans Are Sharing Their Brutally Honest Thoughts About The US Right Now, And It's MESSY

The author perceives a complacency in American political polarization that risks ignoring significant threats.
Arts
fromtime.com
3 months ago

Gilmore Girls' Creator's Ballet Epic Etoile Is Comfort TV for a World on Fire

Etoile highlights the struggle of the arts in modern society through the lens of ballet.
fromAdvocate.com
3 months ago

Why the White House wanting women to have more kids will lead to outlawing same-sex relations

The Trump administration's push for women to have more children represents a dangerous infringement on bodily autonomy, reflecting broader authoritarian trends.
Women in technology
fromFuturism
3 months ago

Katy Perry's Camp Demanding Apology From Wendy's for Shading Her Pointless Rocket Launch

The evolution of space travel reflects a significant shift from collective achievements to exclusive trips by the wealthy.
fromBuzzFeed
3 months ago

Millennials Revealed What They Wish Gen Z'ers Would Stop Doing, And It Might Be Hard To Hear

For the Gen Z men: Stop listening to conservative podcasters like Andrew Tate... it will end up with many of you being angry and lonely because you don't hold yourselves accountable for your actions.
Parenting
fromwww.nytimes.com
3 months ago

For This Artist, Doomscrolling Isn't a Bad Thing

Jon Rafman's exhibition critiques digital culture's absurdity through immersive art and AI-generated content.
NYC music
fromKqed
3 months ago

Mexican Band's California Shows in Jeopardy After U.S. Revokes Visas Over Narco Imagery | KQED

The U.S. visa for Los Alegres del Barranco was revoked due to their performance linked to a drug kingpin, reflecting the tension between music and narrative.
Mental health
fromConsequence
3 months ago

Reggie Watts on Coachella: "There's no real sense of love coming from the festival"

Reggie Watts critiques Coachella for its impersonal experience and lack of genuine connection.
He advocates for supporting independent festivals that prioritize community and care.
NYC music
fromwww.npr.org
3 months ago

Francis Davis, a figurehead of jazz criticism, has died

Francis Davis, influential jazz critic, passed away at 78, leaving a significant legacy in music journalism and cultural critique.
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 months ago

The Blue Origin flight symbolized the utter defeat of American feminism | Moira Donegan

"The flight, which was promoted for months in advance, was touted as a triumph of feminism, a win for science and an embrace of the kind of expansive, curious human spirit of striving and possibility that once animated both."
Women in technology
Women in technology
fromSlate Magazine
3 months ago

We All Knew the Katy Perry-Lauren Sanchez Space Flight Would Be Stupid. But Not This Stupid.

The all-female space trip featuring Katy Perry epitomizes a disconnect from reality and a tasteless display of celebrity culture.
Perry's concert promotion in space symbolizes a confusing mix of entertainment and extravagance.
fromwww.amny.com
3 months ago

Review | John Proctor is the Villain: Salem's hero gets #MeToo'd | amNewYork

The play 'John Proctor is the Villain' reexamines Arthur Miller's 'The Crucible' through a contemporary feminist lens, highlighting young women's struggles with power and identity.
Media industry
fromNew York Post
3 months ago

'The White Lotus,' 'Severance' and 'The Handmaid's Tale' show what happens when brand collabs go wrong

Brand tie-ins can miss the mark by failing to capture nuanced themes of the source material, leading to superficial associations.
fromThe Atlantic
3 months ago

How R. Crumb Tapped Into America's Screwy Id

R. Crumb's provocative artwork reveals deeper societal themes and personal kinks, challenging viewers to confront their own desires.
fromJuxtapoz
3 months ago

Juxtapoz Magazine - Sarah Miska Highlights a "Twist to strengthen" with Carla Edwards

The exhibition 'Twist to strengthen' features a unique blend of Miska's paintings and Edwards' fabric and rope sculptures, showcasing incisive cultural critique.
Arts
fromIndependent
3 months ago

The White Lotus review: season three finale delivers happy endings, sad endings and a whopper twist

The finale of The White Lotus season three balanced slow pacing with satisfying conclusions and rich thematic exploration of wealth and morality.
fromwww.nytimes.com
3 months ago

John Peck, Underground Cartoonist Known as The Mad Peck, Dies at 82

Mr. Peck was not as well known or acclaimed as underground cartoonists like Robert Crumb or Art Spiegelman. That was perhaps in part because his interests were so broad.
Humor
Writing
fromOregon ArtsWatch * Arts & Culture News
3 months ago

Portland essayist William Deresiewicz talks good news, bad news, and the effect of solitude * Oregon ArtsWatch

William Deresiewicz critiques the institutionalization of art education, asserting that the necessity for MFAs is a relatively recent phenomenon.
fromwww.theguardian.com
3 months ago

Matadors and madness: the poses of a visionary in pictures

The title, perhaps a nod to Scottish psychiatrist, RD Laing's 1960 classic exploration of madness, The Divided Self, is an example of a work staged in a public space.
London politics
fromArtforum
3 months ago

MACHINE YEARNING

Albert Eckhout’s paintings, reminiscent of paradise through cultural context, underscore the colonial extraction linked to the imagery of bananas, serving as a metaphor for cultivated plenty.
Artificial intelligence
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

Yes, Helen Mirren, James Bond is profoundly sexist. But more than a telling off, he needs a face-off

Casting a woman as James Bond is superficial; Bond's character reflects a legacy of profound sexism.
fromwww.npr.org
4 months ago

Can't-miss interviews: The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, John Green, Amanda Knox

Jeffrey Goldberg released Signal chat transcripts to emphasize transparency on military decisions, details controversial reactions to Meghan Markle's new show.
France news
fromwww.independent.co.uk
4 months ago

Depardieu on trial, and so is France: a cultural reckoning in the #MeToo era

Gerard Depardieu's sexual assault trial reflects broader issues of accountability for male artists in France's cultural landscape.
fromStreetsblog
4 months ago

Does the Media Help Create the Traffic Violence Crisis? - Streetsblog USA

Levin discusses how car ads glamorize reckless driving, presenting it as thrilling rather than dangerous, which contributes to a culture of indifference towards road safety.
Media industry
Humor
fromVulture
4 months ago

The Hypocrisy-Joke Trap

Bill Burr's humor effectively highlights societal hypocrisies, but some jokes may lean too heavily on sincere observations rather than traditional punchlines.
Women
fromThe Nation
4 months ago

Roxane Gay on What Feminism Can Do in This Moment

Roxane Gay emphasizes the need for a dynamic feminist canon that adapts and evolves over time.
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

A scholar and a hater: new podcast focuses on historical figures that suck

Critical discourse about disliked historical figures can enrich understanding of history.
fromPolygon
4 months ago

Suzanne Collins wants to use Hunger Games to fix our media literacy problem

The ability to identify manipulation, consider multiple perspectives, and detect biases and falsehoods is in crisis, which is a much bigger societal problem.
Media industry
fromKqed
4 months ago

'Snow White' Is No Poisoned Apple, But It Doesn't Whistle | KQED

Live-action remakes of Disney classics face challenges in updating narratives while addressing modern sensitivities and criticisms.
fromwww.nytimes.com
4 months ago

How Moneyball' and Sugar' Altered the Baseball Movie

Moneyball and Sugar challenge traditional baseball narratives by focusing on failure and community rather than glorifying victory and nostalgia.
#antisemitism
fromwww.nytimes.com
4 months ago
Left-wing politics

Opinion | Chuck Schumer Isn't Jewish Like the Pope Isn't Catholic

Chuck Schumer's book addresses the rise of antisemitism in America, emphasizing the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and outright antisemitism.
fromThe Nation
4 months ago
Right-wing politics

Trump's Mob-Boss Offer to Us Jews: Accept "Protection"-or Else

The distinction Trump makes between 'good' and 'bad' Jews poses a dangerous narrative echoing historical antisemitism.
Left-wing politics
fromwww.nytimes.com
4 months ago

Opinion | Chuck Schumer Isn't Jewish Like the Pope Isn't Catholic

Chuck Schumer's book addresses the rise of antisemitism in America, emphasizing the distinction between legitimate criticism of Israel and outright antisemitism.
Right-wing politics
fromThe Nation
4 months ago

Trump's Mob-Boss Offer to Us Jews: Accept "Protection"-or Else

The distinction Trump makes between 'good' and 'bad' Jews poses a dangerous narrative echoing historical antisemitism.
fromwww.theguardian.com
4 months ago

Will Freya find a lovely birthday gift for mummy?': why the Sylvanian Families movie is the anti-Barbie

Toy movies now need to provide deeper societal commentary instead of just entertainment.
Audience desires pure representation of Sylvanian Families, without social critique.
fromNew York Post
4 months ago

Let's appreciate Ireland this St. Patrick's Day - a nation far friendlier than France

Everything around me is honoring St. Patrick's Day. Even my favorite cantaloupe's turned green.
Paris food
fromenglish.elpais.com
4 months ago

Pankaj Mishra, essayist: Trump and Putin are two gangsters coming to a deal among themselves'

Pankaj Mishra discusses his new book, The World After Gaza, emphasizing the cultural implications of Gaza's destruction amidst global crises.
Everyday cooking
fromIndependent
4 months ago

Mary Kenny: Don't let Meghan and the domestic goddesses drag women back to the kitchen sink

Housework is seen as oppressive by feminists, contrasting with modern portrayals of domesticity.
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