These are thoughts, the artwork, the news stories, the tools, the food, the conversations, and whatever else we just can’t get out of our heads this month.
1. The Magazine: She Shreds
I love everything about their point-of-view. She Shreds is a print and online publication dedicated to women guitarists and bassists. They’re based here in Portland, and I think they’re doing an amazing job expanding narratives and confronting stereotypes around the people that play, make, and listen to music.
From their statement of purpose: “We strive to change the way women guitarists and bassists are depicted and presented in the music industry and popular culture by creating a platform where people can listen, see and experience what it means to be a woman who shreds. Our goal is to transcend boundaries like gender and genre—supporting radicalism, respect and revolution.”
I believe in giving setting the stage to allow the marginalized, segregated, and under-represented communities, and She Shreds is doing that work, amazingly, in the world of music. They have ManMade’s full support, and I recommend checking them out on their web site and Instagram.
2. The Song: Lucy Dacus – “Night Shift”
Do me a favor. Queue this up. Close your eyes. And just listen for 6:29.
(Warning: unless you’re a robot, you’ll be moved.)
3. The Thinkpiece: “The Men Who Eat Like Boys”
C. Brian Smith explores picky eaters, and why some men never outgrow the kids menu.
4. The Video: “From Dream to Reality” by Max Joseph
I admit it: I’m a total sucker for this stuff.
5. The Applied Philosophy: “How Schopenhauer’s thought can illuminate a midlife crisis”
Dr. Kieran Setiya thinks through what we can do to make meaning with the help of a 19th-century pessimist.
6. The TV Show: Babylon Berlin
I’m in. I’m still not totally sure I know what’s happening, but I’m 100% in.
7. The Book Review: “The Forgotten Everyday Origins of ‘Craft’”
The Atlantic takes a look at the new book on traditional European craftwork…err, craeft. Summary paragraph:
This, in a nutshell, is what’s at the heart of Craeft: It’s vignette after charming vignette of ancient processes, described in exuberant detail as Langlands travels through Spain, France, England, Scotland, and Iceland. Readers get a richly atmospheric peek into “craefts” like the thatching of roofs, the spinning of wool, and the tanning of hides.
Cool. On my reserves list at the library.
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