Tag: culture

July 19, 2018

I Lost My Library Card Just in Time for Culture Pass

Several weeks ago I lost my library card. At one point it was in my wallet and then it was gone. I have no leads on its whereabouts. Presumably, it could be anywhere along the east coast, following I-95 from D.C. to New York City. Blown away on an illiterate wind. Realistically, it’s probably stuck in some sidewalk crack or floating in a puddle under the subway tracks.

I know that if somebody has found it, they haven’t used it. Online, I see that I have no new checkouts aside from the two books I took off the shelves almost sixteen weeks ago and keep renewing with the hope that I will find the time to sit down and read them. What kind of monster would checkout books on somebody else’s library card?

The reason I haven’t gotten a replacement library card is twofold. First, I think I owe the library a fifty cent late fee, which I am loathe to pay. And second, I don’t want to wither under the scorn of the librarian who has to jump through the bureaucratic hoops to get me my (hopefully complimentary) replacement card. Which is a shame because you can now use a New York Public Library card to get into museums and other cultural destinations for free!

As a transplant from Washington, D.C. to New York City, I have been spoiled by the Smithsonian Institute and its dedication to intellectually enriching Washingtonians for free with tax dollars from the rest of the country. It was minor culture shock to see admission prices at the doors to many New York based museums, which is why I am glad I can visit some of these places without spending any money. My inner cheapskate penny pinches for joy.

The list of included institutions is pretty expansive, including the likes of the Whitney, the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), and the Museum of Modern Art (Moma) to lesser known spots like the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art on Staten Island. Time for a Himalayan exhibition!

Feature Image Via The New York Public Library

May 29, 2018

The Author Who Holds the World Record for Most Publications Is Not Who You Think It Is

The most published author of all time has officially been declared by The Guinness Book of World Records (and, surprisingly, it’s not the king of fiction himself, Stephen King) as none other than the founder of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard.

Take a second to breathe that in; it’s shocking, alarming, and even a little unsettling, I know.

Over the past few years a plethora of Scientology documentaries have been released on HBO, Netflix, Amazon, hulu, and more, making L. Ron Hubbard a bit of a household name.

But, if you happen to be unfamiliar with Hubbard, or Scientology in general, here are some of the basic things you should know:

L. Ron Hubbard was born on March 13, 1911 in Tilden, Nebraska. He spent much of the first part of his life working as a fiction writer, gaining notoriety for his science fiction and fantasy short story contributions to pulp fiction magazines in the 1930’s. He also had works published under romance, adventure, western, mystery, aviation, and mystery, and even wrote the screenplay for the Columbia Pictures feature film, The Secret of Treasure Island.

In 1950, Hubbard went on to publish a series of “psychological self-help” books entitled Dianetics. Dianetics is a system of levels to work your way through that are stated to help remove psychosomatic disorders by eliminating dangerous or harmful images from your mind— the process involves sitting in a room with an “auditor” who interrogates you, forcing you to reveal your innermost thoughts, past traumas, and any secrets you may have so that you may erase that part of your mind and reach contentment, awareness, and sanity. Dianetics would become the foundation of the creation of Scientology.

In May of 1952, Hubbard finally launched his, now infamous, cult-like religious system, Scientology. Scientology is stated to be a system of graded courses and levels to work through with the goal of self-awareness, spiritual fulfillment, and super powers beyond that of any normal, everyday human. The entire process of working through the levels typically takes decades and costs around $500,000 (graduation from the program alone is $100,000, and additional $100,000 fees are given to anyone who speaks publicly about the practices). Once you’ve reached the final level, you are said to gain magical abilities such as telekinesis, immunity from all illnesses, superior senses, and mind control. (No scientologists to date have reported ever witnessing someone reach this final, mystical level and gain said powers.)

By the time Hubbard opened The Church of Scientology on February 19th, 1954, he already had a steady following of loyal and believing scientologists ready and willing to join.

And, by the time the 1960s rolled around, Hubbard had found himself the leader of a worldwide movement containing thousands upon thousands of members (some celebrity members have included and continue to include Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Moss, Kirstie Alley, Laura Prepon, and John Travolta).

As the years went on and more was revealed about Scientology and what was really going on within The Church, investigations were launched against Hubbard, forcing him to spend his remaining decades living in hiding.

L. Ron Hubbard suffered a stroke and passed away on February 24th, 1986, leaving behind a powerful, sinister legacy of systems still in place today (The Church of Scientology is stated as currently having around 25,000 members, with numbers in a steady decline).

Even in death Hubbard is still managing to make headlines; since his passing he has been awarded three separate records through The Guinness Book of World Records, and still holds the titles today:

1. Most Published Works by an Author: 1,084 publications

2. Most Languages Translated to by an Author: 71 languages

3. Most Audiobooks Recorded by an Author: 184 audiobooks

The strangest thing about all of this is that Hubbard feels like some sort of evil super-villain we can’t defeat; Scientology has caused a lot of pain for a lot of people and, though it’s numbers are decreasing, there are still many people following it today. The Church has a scary amount of power, making it extremely dangerous and nearly impossible for members to ever leave; and it’s all thanks to L. Ron Hubbard, the man who turned simple science fiction stories into an infectious, disease-like-religion that seemingly can’t be stopped.

But, if we can’t tear Scientology down in it’s entirety, the least we should be able to do is beat Hubbard’s World Records and get him off the list.

So, get to writing, we’ve got publications to stack!

Featured Image Via The Los Angeles Times

April 20, 2018

5 Books to Celebrate 4/20

As a token of our appreciation for our wonderful readers, we wanted to give you some spaced out books to read this holiday season regardless of if you partake in the festivities. These books will fire up your creativity and spark that epiphany some of the more bookish smokers are looking for. Enjoy responsibly.

1. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson

^{Image Via idwpublishing.com}

Hear me out. This drug induced trip will mix fact and fiction and soon you’ll be as gonzo as Dr. Gonzo himself. This book gives an alternative lifestyle of people trying to live their American Dream. Who knows, you may find yourself along the way.

“We’d be fools not to ride this strange torpedo all the way out to the end.”

2. Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Ricardo Cortés

Although some of you may want to go on a creative journey, some of y’all would rather spend your time indica-couch. For these dreamers, a nice picture book would do just the trick. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that it’s funny. We recommend the dramatic reading by none other than Samuel L. Jackson himself.

3. The Scratch & Sniff Book of Weed by Seth Matlins, Eve Epstein, illustrated by Ann Pickard

^{Image Via Konbini.com}

For those of you who are looking for a learning experience, you can go from not knowing the difference between Grape Ape and Purple Haze, to being able to identify a strain by smell alone. Get Canna-busy with this masterpiece!

4. Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter

^{Image Via Amazon}

This crazy surrealist 80s novel will take you on a trip with Sophie Fevvers, a winged woman who soars away from her life to joins the traveling circus. Carter plays with the classic fairy tale genre to create a postfeminist work of magical realism. Oof. That’s quite a lot to ingest! But I guarantee you won’t regret this kooky adventure. I recommend you get lost in the craziness.

5. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

^{Image Via poets.org}

I just read this for class and let me tell you that Whitman was definitely on something when he wrote it. His unhinged poetry embodies freedom, just like his whacky use of the “I,” transcending, person, and body, and place. Side note isn’t he handsome?

I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you,
And you must not be abased to the other.
Loafe with me on the grass

He’s literally talking about hanging out with his soul on the grass. It doesn’t get much more trippy than that!

A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands;
How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more than he.

Featured Image Via Drewgossip.com

April 10, 2018

10 George Orwell Quotes That’ll Make You Question Everything

It was a bright day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.

When George Orwell published his iconic novel 1984, also known as Nineteen Eighty-Four, he used that opening line to invite readers to question everything. Question the existence of life. Question the gaze put upon them at any waking moment. Question the normalcy of a potentially fictional reality. Orwell’s dystopian novel blurred the lines between fiction and reality.

A cultural phenomenon since its release in 1949, the cultural impact and relevance of 1984 has only grown as time’s gone on. In the wake of recent political upheaval and social turmoil occurring around the globe, particularly in the United States, the novel has become a best-seller once again. These quotes will show you why. Here are 10 Orwell quotes from 1984 that will have you questioning everything.

_{Image courtesy of ‘Lesley Barnes’}

1. “Perhaps a lunatic was simply a minority of one.”

2. “Reality exists in the human mind, and nowhere else.”

3. “But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.”

4. “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”

5. “Until they became conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious.”

_{Image Courtesy of ‘Wake Up World’}

6. “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”

7. “The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”

8. “Being in a minority, even in a minority of one, did not make you mad. There was truth and there was untruth, and if you clung to the truth even against the whole world, you were not mad.”

9. “We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it.”

10. “Big Brother is Watching You.”

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Feature Image Courtesy of ‘Her Campus’.

March 30, 2018

This New Beyoncé Book Has Us Getting in Formation for Feminism

Almost the entire world is familiar with pop culture and music phenomenon Beyoncé. Her name alone makes one of think of over-the-top performances, a powerhouse presence, and, of course, feminism and representation through the roof. At least, this is what Professor Omise’eke Natasha Tinsley from the University of Texas wants us to think.

_{Image Via The Daily Texan}

Tinsley recently authored Beyoncé in Formation: Remixing Black Feminism, digging deep to draw an analysis and find symbolism within the singer’s groundbreaking and award-winning album. There’s a variety of lenses to look through when it comes to cultural ties to black women, especially their sexuality and gender in today’s day and age. Songs from the album like “Daddy Lessons”, “Formation”, and “Don’t Hurt Yourself” build the foundation for Tinsley’s book, as do Beyoncé’s own life experiences and the activists and artists who she says shaped her massive career.

However, this isn’t Tinsley’s first Beyoncé related work. Her first step towards creating Beyoncé in Formation came when she created a class for students called “Beyoncé Feminism, Rihanna Womanism.” Ever since, she her path towards Queen B has created a powerful following:

Every year, lines of black women and queers approach me on the first day to express excitement that they’re in a class that takes Beyoncé seriously– that someone is reflecting back that the lyrics they sing, the songs they dance to, their shirts that proclaim ‘I Slay’ just might be the meaningful sources of empowerment they always felt them to be… Greeting this receiving line of feminist Beyoncé fans, I see clearly: I’m one of thousands of black people living in the South looking to Beyoncé as a gilded mirror, an artist with the capacity to bounce light off our visions for next-millennium feminism… This small offering is made in the hope that what starts in our black woman-loving, lemonade-making, hater-twirling Texas can change the world.

To us, this is pretty bitchin’ and we think it could definitely be one of the beautiful hurricanes to stir up what’s been stagnant for so long. Check out the the cover below, pre-order the book before November 1st, and check out an excerpt courtesy of Entertainment Weekly.

Now let’s get in formation, people!

_{Image Via Entertainment Weekly}

Feature Image Via Tubefilter.