If you want to outlaw a book, simply make it seem shameful to read. That’s the logic of Princeton philosophy professor Kwame Anthony Appiah’s new book, The Honor Code: How Moral Revolutions Happen. Appiah argues that a culture’s sense of honor galvanizes moral revolutions. The British slave trade, the Chinese tradition of foot binding, the…
Saying ‘I Do’ in Eye Shadow?
You know what really says “I will love you for the rest of my life”? Blush, foundation, and just a hint of eyeliner. At least that’s what awesome-weddings.com would have us believe. An online wedding resource center, Awesome Weddings writes authoritative articles on what brides and grooms should do to prepare for their weddings. Now…
The Good King of Comedy: Our Tribute to Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis’s brother used to strip him down and drag him across the lawn, holding him by his ankles so passing cars could see his naked, pubescent body. But Zach didn’t mind. It’s this kind of nonchalance toward trauma that sculpted the good man I think should be the new king of comedy. Galifianakis is…
Punk'd (with Car Bombs)
A new show on Iraq’s Al-Baghdadiya TV welds the zaniness of Punk’d with the soberness of counter-insurgency, and viewers can’t get enough. On the show (called Khali en Buca, which is Arabic for “Let’s Steal It”), prominent Iraqi celebrities—TV personalities, soccer stars, singers—are invited to the Al-Baghdadiya studio. Before they enter, security forces examine their cars at…
Circle Time for Vietnam Vets
Turns out circle time might benefit war veterans more than toddlers. In an article in The New Old Age blog of The New York Times, Paula Span reports that the new men’s group at the Riverdale Senior Services Center has spawned vast improvements in the members’ happiness, camaraderie, and sense of purpose. The center used…
Is a Fertility Clinic a Good Place for Porn?
Presumably, the August centerfold photo of Hustler has made a lot of men happy. But should it help give birth to children? A British think tank thinks not. 202health.org, a grassroots health and technology organization, has lashed out against British fertility clinics for offering porn to their clients. Their latest report states that, for one…
Mom, I got an A (and $237)!
Gambling site allows college students to bet on their grades.
There Goes the Neighborhood
Zak Jason reviews Arcade Fire’s new album, The Suburbs, and finds beauty amidst the sprawl.
10 Film Characters That Will Make You a Better Man
Need some help on your quest to be good? Zak Jason shows you how to Tivo your way to manhood.