The New Gilded Age, the New Muckrakers

The New Gilded Age, the New Muckrakers

by | Feb 27, 2014 | Book Review, English, Politics

The parallels between the Gilded Age of the 19th century and the New Gilded Age of today are obvious. What is more subtle is the role of the press — then and now. I am optimistic that today’s new breed of philanthropy-backed, entrepreneurial journalists are the muckrakers of today’s new Gilded Age that will uncover the wrongs and advocate for necessary reforms.

Loud Gringos

by | Aug 21, 2012 | English

(I should mention, incidentally, that there is nothing louder than a group of gringos who, when convened in public, somehow feel the need to show off what a marvelous time they are having, with eruptions of offensively loud cackles. It’s their money, they can...
[Brazil] A Ministry of Culture for the 21st Century

[Brazil] A Ministry of Culture for the 21st Century

by | Nov 28, 2009 | English

What do ministers of culture do? This was the question asked by Slate political reporter Chris Beam back in 2007 when, in the same week, commandos raided the Iraqi culture minister’s house to arrest him for a 2005 assassination attempt on a fellow politician....
The Chapters of Cities

The Chapters of Cities

by | Jul 8, 2009 | English

This is an especially American perspective of looking at the development of cities, but I think that the same basic evolution is generally true for cities around the world, even if they haven’t yet reached some of the later chapters. Chapter 1: Make-shift Slums...

When Ideal Becomes Reality

by | Feb 7, 2009 | English

Am I the only one who watches what this guy does every day and says, holy shit, is this for real? That’s right baby, tell ’em what it is. “I mean, I get carried away.” Ha, I love it. [via Zadi]
On Storytelling, Poverty, and Conversation

On Storytelling, Poverty, and Conversation

by | Nov 22, 2008 | English

I have listened to this 13 minute segment of audio three different times now. Each time I hear something different – either a detail that I missed or a tone in her voice revealing the emotion that makes audio such a powerful medium....

Africa's Only McCain Supporter

by | Oct 12, 2008 | English

In the spirit of post-partisanship, here is a video of what very well might be Africa’s only McCain supporter. If I remember correctly, I think his name is “George Kennedy”. How amazing is that? He is a business reporter at the Daily Observer.