Category Archives: ARTICLES

Zazen and the Art of Vanessa Veselka

Ever since H.G. Wells published his speculative sci-fi telegram The Shape of Things to Come in 1933, numerous artists have adapted his title to suit their own prophecies. Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come demanded that the genre evolve or face irrelevance. Swedish band Refused did the same for underground rock with The Shape of Punk to Come. Ornette and Refused don’t sound particularly alike, but they both purported that music, and art in general, loses all power and urgency once it has become fashionable, marketable, a commodity of mass culture. They were onto something––––after all, this is a world in which Che Guevara t-shirts are sold at shopping malls.

Terrence Malick and the Making of America

Now that Terrence Malick’s The Tree of Life––––a film that earned both heckling and the Palme d’Or at Cannes this year––––is almost out of theaters and more firmly a part of the controversial auteur’s cannon, I feel prompted to reexamine Malick’s career and his ideas about American life.

CYBERCULTURE > Sonar: Tech-enabled Telepathy

Start-up social networks of any sort easily fall prey to a huge hurdle. Without a strong, active userbase, all the clever design and clear UI in the world can’t make a social product a success. If a user posts a question, shares a photo, or interacts with the product in whatever way the designers intended, and he doesn’t make a social connection, there’s no network.

Home Cooking from the World

Dining out can be a great way to experience cultures and having a good time, but bringing the flavors home can be a great experience that will impress your friends and family and save you money. When it comes to creating dishes from different regions it is important to plan ahead and look at the ingredients and methods used by the region.

Samba San Diego Style: A Hot Brazilian Night

Freelance writer, Patricia McMillian, enjoyed the 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Mardi Gras Carnival on March 5th, 2011. Read her article and find out why you should enjoy the festivities next time around!