| Students know more politics than pop culture
(U-WIRE) MEDFORD, Mass. - According to a recent study by Tufts University political science professor Kent Portney, Tufts students may be leaving US Weekly at the newsstands and picking up The New York Times instead. The study, which was released in Feburary, found that students are more likely to be knowledgeable about the 2008 presidential race or Social Security reform than Britney Spears' latest marital difficulties.
Entitled "National Survey of Civic and Political Engagement of Young People," the study came to some surprising conclusions.
Not only are young people much more politically informed, the study found, but they know more about relevant politics than they do about popular culture.
"I was very surprised," Portney said. "I expected that students would be not very knowledgeable [about politics], and that they would know a lot more about pop culture."
The study was originally suggested by Tisch College Dean Rob Hollister and donor Jonathan Tisch as a way to measure the effectiveness of Tufts programs designed to increase civic engagement and awareness.
Why are all these bands touring again?
Was that a queasy feeling you had recently, when you authorized payment on a $300 ticket for this summer's Police reunion concert? What about that weird web of logic that made $249 for a three-day pass to the Coachella Festival next weekend seem an allowable expense, because you'd be seeing Rage Against the Machine, the radical-leftist punk-funk band that wrote timely songs challenging the domination of real-life power structures until 2000, when it ceased to exist? .
Historian talks anti-imperialism
Cultural historian Jackson Lears explained the importance of America's anti-imperialist tradition Thursday night at the Silver Center in a lecture titled "The Anti-Imperial Tradition," sponsored by Steinhardt's Department of Culture and Communication Studies.
Lears is this year's visiting scholar for the Phyllis and Gerald LeBoff Distinguished Visiting Scholar Program, which brings "the world's most prominent scholars, writers and creative thinkers" to Steinhardt, according to the department's website.
He spoke about America's long tradition of anti-imperialist thought and about the relevance of this mind-set to contemporary foreign policy. He called for the creation of a a "useable past" that would create a solid doctrine of anti-imperialism.
"It may be invented," said Lears, who teaches a Steinhardt seminar called "Fictions of Modernity." "But it would emphasize restraint, war as the last option and concrete, particular thought as opposed to sweeping, abstract universalisms."
He spoke for about an hour, locking eyes with various people in the audience while criticizing "neo-conservative pundits and apologists for empire," like New York Times columnist David Brooks.
Religious Literacy
By that time, we were all so tired and thought well, we've seen the Basilica, maybe we'll cut the second tour short or cancel. We met up with Father Jonathan, explained about the morning tour, and told him he didn't have to take so much time with us. Father Jonathan started the tour ... but this time, it was different. He began with the spiritual meaning of every part of St. Peter's Square and the Basilica. The statues of Peter and Paul flanking the church had now become the two pillars of Christianity, one holding "the keys to the Kingdom," the other grasping the spear of martyrdom. The statue of Jesus gracing the center roof now became the voice of "and I will draw all men unto me." I was in awe and humbled. Our fatigue disappeared. We didn't want the tour to end.
Your Views: More on the US gun control debate
There has been considerable invective visited upon New Zealanders by American folk on this forum. Less than 10 per cent of Americans have passports.The majority of New Zealanders have travelled. We have a different perspective on world affairs because we are a small nation - and therefore tend look constantly beyond our own borders. What is out there is not pretty. Nor is a lot of what happens here. Insecurity and a questioning disposition tend to result in a more balanced world view. I am pleased that most of the world don't appear to know much about us including our location. Tragedy is part and parcel of everyone's life. It is not exclusive to Americans. This event was a tragedy - but has been blown totally out of perspective. For example more than 30,000 people in third world countries die from rabies every year vs one every two years in the USA.
Mafia Blues
You dont listen to the president? Were gonna mop the floor with the whole f***in world. The whole worlds gonna be under our control. So what are you worked up about?
Christopher Moltisanti of The Sopranos
Everything comes to an end.
These words, delivered by an irate Edie Falco, are used in the promo death knell for one of the most critically acclaimed and beloved television series of all time, HBOs The Sopranos. The fictional story of a likeable, northern New Jersey crime family ends this spring with the final nine episodes of season six beginning April 8.
What will happen to mob boss Tony Soprano and his family? How about his colorful henchmen, despicable for their brutal violence and racism one moment, and lovable for their humor, resourcefulness and camaraderie the next? Surely, bets are already being placed on who will end up in prison and who will have to go (in the Mafia sense).
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