Preach It: Camp Haters

"Meanwhile, I hated the trappings of camp: lakes, bugs, meeting at the flagpole in the morning in hooded sweatshirts–all of it. The great outdoors was hugely distasteful to me, as was the philosophy of bunk pride, or teamwork, or whatever it's called when groups of young people thrive on camaraderie and go without television."


The Awl: Notes on 'Camp MTV'

Preach It: Bob McDonnell's Damage Control

I've reached the dangerous point in reading Ta-Nehisi Coates' blog where he articulates things so neatly I no longer see the use of trying to articulate them to myself.  Probably not good in the long run, but that doesn't make him any less right in my opinion.

Ta-Nehisi Coates: Proud of Being Wise

Preach It: Put your hand down

This is about public lectures, but also describes any undergraduate level international relations course.  Of course he left out the type that's prefaced with "When I was abroad..."

Marginal Revolution: Why do people ask questions at public events?

Preach It: Entitlement avenger

This NYU student's laptop must be smoking because this is a BURN.

Preach It: A.O. Scott on movie Boston accents

"As someone who was born — or should I say bahn? — in the great Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I appreciate the special music of New England speech as much as anyone, but honestly, guys, give it a rest. If I had a dollar for every dropped “r” in “Edge of Darkness,” I could finance a sequel."


Having heard the genuine article firsthand for the past 25 years, I feel his pain (not saying anything about Julianne Moore in 30Rock, they're both too great under other circumstances). Movie versions of the tangy tones of my native Greater New York Area are also pretty painful.


NYTimes: Edge of Darkness review