Critical Agents Critical Agents
How J. Edgar Hoover’s paranoid view of literature led him to target African-American writers.
May 6, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Peter C. Baker
Demon Demon
“Good news,” said the doctor, “it’s a demon.” I asked for its name: was it No One? Was it Superego? He said it wasn’t those but he couldn’t guess the name. “Who knows,” he said, “It mightn’t even be a demon. It’s what we call a ‘diagnosis by elimination.’” Explaining he couldn’t operate, the doctor said let’s go ahead and medicate the hell out of it, make it sleepy. I named him “Demon” after his identity. I put him to sleep twice a day, one short one long; three times a week he did sport; he grew to six foot two; I said he was good; I went to the door of his room and left food.
May 6, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Kathryn Maris
Financial Pop Financial Pop
Money is sitting around in its sweatpants listlessly spooning peanut butter out of a jar.
May 6, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Joshua Clover
How Long Can Genius Last? How Long Can Genius Last?
In this week’s Altercation Eric honors artists and writers whose careers have stood the test of time.
May 5, 2015 / Blog / Eric Alterman
Why Did These Activists Shut Down the Guggenheim? Why Did These Activists Shut Down the Guggenheim?
The May Day occupation is part of an escalating campaign to get the Guggenheim to end the exploitation of migrant workers at the museum's Abu Dhabi site.
May 4, 2015 / Blog / Michelle Chen
A Flute in Palestine: Making Art in an Apartheid State A Flute in Palestine: Making Art in an Apartheid State
In this increasingly confined land, art is a vital escape—if you can get the instruments past the checkpoint.
Apr 30, 2015 / Sandy Tolan
‘Now Political Prisoners Are Dead Black Kids’: Playwright Lemon Andersen Connects the Dots Between Attica and Police Violence ‘Now Political Prisoners Are Dead Black Kids’: Playwright Lemon Andersen Connects the Dots Between Attica and Police Violence
Andersen first heard about the Attica uprising during a stint on Rikers Island. His new play brings the rebellion to life at the Public Theater.
Apr 29, 2015 / Steve Colman
Power and Piety Power and Piety
Is the promotion of violence inherent to any religion?
Apr 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / David Nirenberg
His Own Çukurova His Own Çukurova
Orhan Pamuk might be Turkey’s most-talked-about author, but Yaşar Kemal remains its most loved.
Apr 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Piotr Zalewski
Notes on Kampf Notes on Kampf
Is the well-being of the cultural middle class the key to American creativity?
Apr 29, 2015 / Books & the Arts / Eugenia Williamson