In the news … January 2021
Commentary on news items and the news media itself.
Articles by Peter Strempel
A primer on liberal democracy
Liberal democracy is not anything anyone wants it to mean. It has long and profound traditions.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005): two very different films
This is Ridley Scott’s most significant film, deserving a re-evaluation after the disaster that was the studio edit.
Scott Morrison: the low road
Morrison represents the lowest road possible when it comes to leaders.
Typography reveals more than just words
The serif is a constant companion, a known quantity, a faithful servant of the words.
Fight Club (1999), 20 years later
Not the celebration of toxic masculinity and anarchic revolt often assumed.
How we trust ‘knowledge’
Personal experiences can lead us to invalidate even credible ‘knowledge’, and deference to other authorities can lead us to accept irrational ideas.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979)
Arguably the best television adaptation of a novel, still, after more than 40 years.
In the news … December 2020
Commentary on the news in December 2020.
Morrison created China trade war with ideology, ignorance, and incompetence
Right wing populist, nationalist jingoism doesn’t play with China, even if it is guilty of the same.