Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

The Paranoid Style in American Politics: A Recurring Phenomenon

2025-08-08

This essay examines the recurring "paranoid style" in American politics, characterized by heated exaggeration, suspicion, and conspiratorial fantasy. Tracing its manifestations from late 18th-century anxieties about the Bavarian Illuminati to anti-Masonry, anti-Catholicism, and McCarthyism, the author argues this style isn't limited to the extreme right but is linked to movements of discontent. The essay delves into the psychological and social roots of this style, highlighting how paranoid thinking interprets history as the result of individual will and projects both ideal and unacceptable aspects of the self onto the enemy.

(harpers.org)

Misc political psychology conspiracy theories

Deep Time vs. Shallow Time: Butterflies, Geology, and the Climate Crisis

2025-07-28

This essay explores the tension between deep geological time and the fleeting span of human history. Using the drastic decline in butterfly populations as a case study, the author juxtaposes millions of years of geological evolution with the rapid impact of climate change in recent decades. The author traces Darwin and Lyell's understanding of deep time and how they attempted to scientifically comprehend and quantify deep time scales. The essay concludes with a call to recognize humanity's impact on Earth and take action to address the climate crisis, making informed choices based on the understanding of deep time and shallow time's relationship.

(harpers.org)

Tech deep time

A Twain Revival? 175 Years of Harper's and the Enduring Legacy of Huckleberry Finn

2025-06-04

Is a Mark Twain revival underway in the 175th-anniversary year of Harper’s Magazine, a publication that consistently featured Twain’s work? Percival Everett's National Book Award-winning novel, *James*, reimagines *Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* from Jim's perspective, while Shelley Fisher Fishkin's new book on Jim adds to the renewed interest. Conan O'Brien's Mark Twain Prize acceptance speech subtly criticized the political climate. Ron Chernow's new Twain biography further fuels this resurgence. The author reflects on their personal, complex relationship with Twain's work, exploring the meaning of this revival and the ongoing search for hidden meanings within Twain's writing. Ultimately, the essay argues that Everett's *James* successfully adds Jim's inner life, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale.

(harpers.org)

Misc Mark Twain Literary Revival American Literature

The Death and Undying Life of Letters: A Century of Dialogue on Words and Emotion

2024-12-25

In "Voices from the Dead Letter Office," Cynthia Ozick explores the death and enduring legacy of letters with a unique perspective. From the passionate correspondence between Lord Byron and Lady Caroline Lamb to Ozick's own playful epistolary pursuit of philosopher Sidney Morgenbesser under the guise of Lady Caroline, the essay reveals the multifaceted nature of letters. Letters serve as vehicles for romance, inspiration for literary creations, and genuine confessions of personal emotions. Ozick traces the significant role of letters in literary history, highlighting how classics like *Frankenstein* and *Pride and Prejudice* utilize epistolary structures. She examines the evolution of letters across different eras, from traditional handwritten letters to emails and social media, emphasizing that while the form changes, the emotions and values they carry persist. Ozick concludes with a poignant reflection on letters, expressing nostalgia for past emotions and eras while contemplating the future of human communication.

(harpers.org)

Misc letters emotion

Spotify's Ghost Artists: The Algorithm's Dark Secret

2024-12-19

This article exposes Spotify's 'Perfect Fit Content' (PFC) program, which secretly fills its playlists with low-cost 'ghost artists' to reduce royalty payouts. These ghost artists, mass-produced by production companies, lack artistic merit but dominate popular playlists, squeezing out independent musicians. This practice has angered artists and industry insiders, raising concerns about the devaluation of music and the future of streaming. It reveals streaming services' disregard for artistic integrity and musician rights in their pursuit of profit maximization.

(harpers.org)

Tech streaming ghost artists