The Morning News

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Currently: solving the world’s ills, over drinks
Today’s Feature: “Ladies First” by Eric Feezell
Digest: “Video Digest” by Meave Gallagher
DIGEST: A roundup of books, mp3s, and videos every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

Friday, September 1, 2006

Video DIGEST

Sarah Hepola has written about film for The New York Times, Slate, and Nerve. Her favorite movie is Magnolia. Please don’t try to argue her out of it. Have a video you think she should see?

My new obsession is VideoJug, a compendium of how-to videos on everything from “How to Cook a Chicken Curry in 10 Minutes” to “How to Tie a Bowtie”. Each installment is narrated by some British person in a manner so soothing and convincing they could coax me through my first disembowelment. So far, my favorite episode is “How to Eat Sushi,” which has already taught me that, contrary to rumor, chopsticks are not used to air-drum the intro to Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” at the beginning of every meal.




As we all know, online video is a powerful resource for sharing information. (And sleepy kittens!) This week, we look at some other videos to see what we can learn. First up: How to guarantee yourself a spot on Starmania, the Austrian version of American Idol. Also file under: How to wow the in-laws, for sure.




Next, we learn how to imitate a dozen actors with effortless brio. Also: How to make The Actors’ Studio bearable. Oh, Kevin Spacey, come back to us.




How to blow the whistle on your employer? Look no further than Michael De Kort, a (now former) engineer for Lockheed Martin, who posted a video on YouTube three weeks ago accusing the defense contractor of security flaws in a fleet of Coast Guard boats. According to a Wall Street Journal story, Homeland Security is already on it. Cross-reference under: How to get fired.




And finally, just in time for fashion week: How to have a punk-rock fashion show in 1970s Canada. Hint: Double up on safety pins and mesh.

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RECENTLY IN DIGEST

» Video Digest, March 28, 2008
In light of Spitzer’s boondoggle, Meave Gallagher takes a look at other politicians behaving badly, particularly a wealth of juicy mayoral scandals around the U.S.: Kilpatrick, Newsom, Villaraigosa, Cianci, and Barry.
» Mp3 Digest, March 26, 2008
In the first of a series of musical biographies, Erik Bryan traces the many career arcs throughout the ubiquitous Steve Winwood’s 50-year career.
» Book Digest, March 24, 2008
Robert Birnbaum on: Pop Art Is; The Ghost Soldiers; Long Life Cool White; Understanding America; W.H. Auden: Prose, Volume III: 1949-1955; 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War; Lawrence Weiner: As Far as the Eye Can See; Foyle’s Philavery; Where to Invade Next; Free Lunch; Shakespeare’s Wife; Old War; Rediscovering Jacob Riis; Hollywood Crows; The Execution of Willie Francis.

DIGEST ARCHIVES

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TODAY’S FEATURE

Ladies First

Experts answer what they know. The Non-Expert answers anything. This week ERIC FEEZELL solves the origins of “Mrs.,” and presents a new nomenclature to fill the gender gap, once and for all.

PURE GIBBERISH

My Father Speaks Another Language

Sarah Hepola listens, her mother translates.

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DIGEST

Video Digest

May 16 | The government is watching you right now. Don’t believe it? Meave Gallagher has the video to p…

» Mp3 Digest, May 14
» Book Digest, May 12