pop culture
The headline rundown: Modern popular culture topics in the realm of politics, legislation and activism.
When Fashion Makes a Statement... (And Why I Love It!)
In almost every facet of our pop culture today, blunt or not, you can find some sort of social commentary about what's going on in the world. Fashion is no different. Recently, the 13th annual "Fashion For Relief" charity show took place at the Cannes Film Festival. In honor of the show, I'd thought I reflect on some of my favorite moments in fashion that made powerful statements about the climate of today's culture on the runway.
Saint WritesPublished 6 years ago in The SwampThe Most British Day Ever Isn't British at All
"So what is there to be excited about?" I hear you murmur quietly to the friend next to you, nervous that if you get caught saying such things the Queen will have your head on a spike.
Most Ridiculous Things Melania Trump Has Ever Said
Donald Trump is not new to the world of controversy, fake news and White House media coverage. In fact, his name and face have most likely appeared in practically every daily newspaper, news telecast, and mobile video ever recorded since his 2017 inauguration. Much to his chagrin, when panning the camera from his overzealous self-proclaimed politics and ideas, one might eventually catch a glimpse of his wife Melania Trump, seen hovering by the corner, looking rather dolled up for an event unnecessarily sanctioned. Assessing President Trump's first year in office is no easy task, but if we take a quick and simple look at the ridiculous things Melania Trump has ever said, we may get a small glimpse into the ways his family operates. To start, I'll give you what I feel is her least ridiculous quote, spoken on the Today Show when asked what habit she wishes Trump would cease:
Donald GrayPublished 6 years ago in The SwampMusic, Movies, and Video Games
When something bad happens, we often tend to look towards the easiest target. Or as Occam’s razor says, “the simple solution is often the correct one.”
James HowellPublished 6 years ago in The SwampArt Analysis from an Art Student
When I reminisce about the years of 2008-2016, I realized that a lot of events happened. Movie stars, writers, artists came and went. I narrowed it down to events in my own life that happened. I graduated high school, I graduated my undergrad, and I became a graduate in that time. Romances for me were discovered and I lost many. I gained more strength in my artwork and my writing.
George Lucas Did Not Rape My Childhood, but His Sith Informed My Politics
Oprah Winfrey killed it on this year’s Golden Globe Awards. The ovation was staggering. Men and women both were crying. She addressed the #MeToo and #ItsTime movements, and minutes later was touted as our next U.S. President. Those on the other side of Oprah’s fence defiantly, and immediately, posted images of her and Harvey Weinstein—together and looking quite friendly—on social media.
Joel EisenbergPublished 6 years ago in The SwampEating Tide Pods
With the wonderful Tide Pod challenge amidst our school system and teens, where is the finger pointed? In the video above, lawmakers are calling for the design to be changed. But why? They claim these pods are appetizing to kids and this is the problem. Is it this really the issue, or is it a political ruse to appease the public?
Op-ed from an Avowed Anti-Trumper: If Those of Us on “The Left” Condone an Artistic Blacklist, Will Nazism Be Next? (Or, Why Conservatism in 2018 Hollywood Is the New “Gay.”)
The provocative headline is only partially clickbait. Softening it for effect or to make myself look better won’t happen. I want this one read, and read hard. I want the word “radioactive” associated with this story, and even with my name for the near-future, for boldly stating such “nonsense.” Why? Because I want you all to think, intently, where we’re headed.
Joel EisenbergPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp'The Playstation Dreamworld' by Alfie Bown
In his last book, The Playstation Dreamworld (Polity, 2017), Alfie Bown is not exclusively addressing video game players—whether full-time or simply occasional players—but everyone. He understands that video games can be the perfect tool to comprehend the digital media scenario in which we live. So, in the same way that American cinema from the 40s, 50s and 60s left a footprint in several generations' lives, regardless of whether one watched the movies or not, influencing their clothes, haircuts, the music that they listened to, and the way they walked or smoked, Bown's idea is that video games might be doing the same with this generation, regardless of whether we play video games or not. The digital revolution has arrived and former cultural backbones such as theatre, novel, radio, cinema, and television have been swept away or assimilated by the internet. Video games, however, which were also born before the internet, seem to be a means of expression, cultural asset, leisure activity or whatever you want to call them, which adapts and morphs with technology. Advances in computers allowed games to evolve and designs to become more real. The possibilities of games multiplied, as well as the available offer. The consoles, before the mobile phones, became small and portable and gave the option to play anywhere. The development and implementation of the internet make it possible to play online with people from all over the world, and virtual reality (VR) systems seem to be the last frontier between fiction and reality. In addition to this, with the shift of generations of players, video games have ceased to be a market for children, teenagers, or alternative cultures to occupy an important part of the adult leisure market.
Guillermo FernandezPublished 6 years ago in The SwampIs Peter Rabbit a Communist?
Is anyone surprised Armitage Hux does not like rabbits? During a lecture break, I watched the trailer for the new Peter Rabbit. Looking beyond the ridiculous concept, strange plot, exhausting amounts of cuts (can trailers please relax?), I saw ("The Light" by Hank Williams, a great song) something interesting.
The Decadent RoomiesPublished 6 years ago in The SwampImpactful Political Cartoons About Gun Control
There is a mass shooting virtually every few weeks. Hundreds of men, women, and children die because of gun violence, and still we have no solution. And while we sit around waiting for the next mass shooting to happen, these political cartoons about gun control depict the senselessness, sorrow, and stupidity surrounding the firearms debate.
Jody HopkinsPublished 6 years ago in The SwampIs It Iron Man's Fault That Donald Trump Is President?
America has done the unprecedented and elected a man to the highest position of political power who has no government or civil service experience. If you were to go to a doctor to perform some kind of invasive surgery, you’d want the best person for the job. At the very least, you’d want a surgeon. You’d want that guy or gal who’s spent ten years in med school, another five in residency, and another five performing a number of successful procedures. Even if that surgeon had a terrible bedside manner or acted as arrogant and douchey as Doctor Strange, that’s the person you would want fiddling around inside you when the anesthesia hits.
Isaac ShapiroPublished 6 years ago in The Swamp