Hemispheric Disturbances: On Michael Gazzaniga Hemispheric Disturbances: On Michael Gazzaniga
If our brains act according to the causal laws governing all matter, in what sense can we be said to be free?
Nov 16, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Cathy Gere
Starting out in Seattle: On Jonathan Raban Starting out in Seattle: On Jonathan Raban
Jonathan Raban has made a persona out of the self that feels nowhere at home.
Nov 16, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Vivian Gornick
The Pundits Contemplate Herman Cain The Pundits Contemplate Herman Cain
I We’ve spent a month of this campaign In trying daily to explain The steady rise of Herman Cain. Through willingness to risk a strain In every muscle of the brain, We’ve laid out all we think germane To help the public ascertain Why Cain consistently can gain (Despite, some charge, a moral stain) Support that doesn’t seem to wane, No matter how we all complain That thinking voters might ordain For Cain a four-year White House reign Is truly—to be blunt—insane. II So far, our work has been in vain.
Nov 10, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
Confessions of an Unrepentant Exile Confessions of an Unrepentant Exile
Returning to Chile decades after Allende’s death, I was no longer a soldier of the revolution. What changed?
Nov 9, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Ariel Dorfman
Shelf Life Shelf Life
Rita Dove's Penguin Anthology of 20th Century Poetry.
Nov 2, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Jeremy Bass
American Idol: On Nietzsche in America American Idol: On Nietzsche in America
Why early twentieth-century Americans—from anarchists to Baptist ministers—fell for the philosophy of Nietzsche.
Nov 1, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Ross Posnock
Mu-Mu ♥ Condi Mu-Mu ♥ Condi
Muammar el-Qaddafi had an “eerie fascination” with Condoleezza Rice and kept a scrapbook on her.—News reports Though always with that nurse (the sexy blonde) he Apparently had quite a crush on Condi. So if you called her cold, then you forgot At least one guy sincerely found her hot.
Oct 26, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
This Is Just to Say: On William Carlos Williams This Is Just to Say: On William Carlos Williams
A new biography shortchanges the poetic achievement of William Carlos Williams.
Oct 26, 2011 / Books & the Arts / James Longenbach
An Inaugural Address for Herman Cain An Inaugural Address for Herman Cain
In April, we’ll all be in clover— All spending bucks we’ve got left over, With 9-9-9. To working folks we’ll bring enjoyment, ’Cause we’ll have nearly full employment, With 9-9-9. Our air will be pristine and clear, And terrorists will disappear, With 9-9-9. And scientists will find the answer That gives the world a cure for cancer, With 9-9-9. We’ll all achieve what we endeavor, And all of us will live forever, With 9-9-9. A country that now seems depressed and limp’ll Be great again if we just keep things simple.
Oct 19, 2011 / Column / Calvin Trillin
In the Clear: On Scientology In the Clear: On Scientology
The body of the church of Scientology is not well. Will its main legacy be its contribution to US tax law?
Oct 18, 2011 / Books & the Arts / Mark Oppenheimer