K. A. Wisniewski

This is a fine article. And there’s a number of other films that could also be mentioned here. What’s interesting is that while cinema often mocked the rich, lower classes during the 1930s were simultaneously re-enacting the rise to wealth in board games like Life and Monopoly.

For those interested, there’s an article on Chappelle’s appearances at Radio City in the upcoming New Yorker issue by Hilton Als titled “Who’s Your Daddy?: Dave Chappelle’s Comeback.”

Thanks for the comments. This very question is arguably what’s catapulted his celebrity status to the next level. It’s fascinating–and disturbing– how fans, critics, and the media can turn a simple vacation into such a circus. This is what needs to be evaluated in our culture. Are we so eager to “sell-out” at any cost? Are we so threatened by someone who is willing to walk away from such a big paycheck (no matter what the cost)? $40 million dollars was what he might have been paid, but what it would have cost him (and us all) is unknown.

I would suggest we let Chappelle speak for himself. Unfortunately, our culture forced him into the position to do so–he shouldn’t have to “answer” for anything. But watch the now-famous James Lipton/Actor’s Studio appearance. As Kasey says above: “Class.” Rarely do we see that level of wit and honesty from our celebrities.

Hopefully, we can move passed this moment and allow Chappelle to do what he does…

Thanks Helen and Jesse. A great read of the novel. I might second the idea of reading Brockden Brown alongside Melville’s Pierre or James’ Portrait of a Lady. I like bringing in The Shining as well–it also has the psychological element that many scholars interrogate in Brown’s work. I might argue that while Torrance is trapped in his predicament, Brown offers some solution through his interest in his ventriloquists’ impersonations and counterfeit voices. Much enjoyed reading this!

I agree with many of the comments above. This is a fascinating subject with a lot of possibilities. Perhaps a series of articles on the evolution of such medieval folkloric creatures and the ways in which they’ve been adapted or refashioned in contemporary culture. It’s interesting because I can’t think of occasion in which the unicorn is portrayed as anything except love and purity with magical, fertility, or healing powers (hence those ties to Christianity or nobility). Still, there is a wildness and certain dangerous aspect tied to this purity. I can’t help thinking of Ridley Scott’s famous use of the unicorn in Blade Runner (and later Legend). Thanks for the article! I hope to read more.

Thanks for this post. I appreciate these thoughts and am also curious about how 3D printing is often framed from an artistic or technological/scientific dimension. You hint at the end: “It seems that 3D printing is one of the only things that can bring artists, doctors, and businessmen together.” I agree that we are still in the earliest phase of 3D printing are are still unaware of its possibilities, but I am most intrigued by how such a tool will allow us to push boundaries of modes, media, genre, and disciplines. The question remains open: How will 3D printing be used or manipulated by writers and poets? How might it advance or threaten the literary world?