Remembering history is crucial to understanding the present. Its lessons can be ignored or badly played, but a knowledge of history helps steer us away from exaggerated, immediate conclusions anchored in the flow of the quotidian. European integration provides a... Continue Reading →
A few film notes: “Amy,” a documentary on the singer Amy Winehouse (2015), Woody Allen, “Irrational man” (2015) —————————————————————————————- “Amy,” a 2015 Br. documentary (dir. Asif Kapadia), on the English pop/soul/jazz singer, Amy Winehouse (1983-2011). Amy Winehouse was an extraordinary... Continue Reading →
The self-labeled Islamic State has always been a mystery to Americans. The group has built itself into a vicious warfighting machine, but from the beginning, the joy its fighters take in beheading hostages, prisoners, and captured civilians has been incomprehensible.... Continue Reading →
I knew vaguely of Oliver Sacks’ books beginning 20-30 years ago but didn’t get seriously interested in reading him until recently. A few months ago I wrote about the eminent, much-admired clinical neurologist regarding his much-noticed New York Times op-ed... Continue Reading →
The feeling is growing in the international commentariat that the Islamic State may win: That the group will continue to gain territory in Syria and Iraq and will consolidate a permanent government, a state ensconced in the Islamic caliphate its... Continue Reading →
There is a larger context that must be considered if we are to understand the struggle with the Islamic State for control of Ramadi. That context is geographical in part and involves the group's control over Fallujah and Mosul, its... Continue Reading →
America's global influence is in decline; so say numerous politicians, policy intellectuals, and academics. But there are two kinds of decline - absolute and relative. The former stems from a loss of strength, while the latter accomodates the rise of... Continue Reading →
On Monday, April 27, the Brooklyn Nets played the Atlanta Hawks in an NBA basketball first-round playoff game at the Barclays Center, which is located at the monstrous Atlantic Avenue intersection of subway lines in Brooklyn and the former Atlantic... Continue Reading →
Film critique: “Ex machine,” or Real Boy meets Singularity Girl In my continuing effort to be up-to-date with the culture I went to see the new movie, “Ex machina.” Loyal readers will remember the distinction between a movie and a... Continue Reading →
Tiersky's Viewpoint 