FanFare

The story of the first people who invented democracy, and what it did to them. [more inside]
posted by pwnguin on Nov 14, 2024 - 1 comment

We celebrate Bernie's victory in the Iowa Caucus. [more inside]
posted by JimBennett on Feb 5, 2020 - 5 comments

Ember recaps things so far as only Ember can, which brings us to now: "a crisis comes to a head when the true power behind the troubles comes to party. Battles are won and wars are lost, as Q and the others must protect their kingdom. Alice makes a startling revelation and things may never be the same." Now, let's debate the merits of an open, informed democracy versus an authoritarian monarchy! [Season Finale; Season 3 due out in 2018]
posted by filthy light thief on Apr 20, 2017 - 17 comments

Ember recaps things so far as only Ember can, which brings us to now: "a crisis comes to a head when the true power behind the troubles comes to party. Battles are won and wars are lost, as Q and the others must protect their kingdom. Alice makes a startling revelation and things may never be the same." Your books mean nothing here! [Season Finale; Season 3 due out in 2018]
posted by filthy light thief on Apr 20, 2017 - 5 comments

I am toying with this idea, in part because of chainsofreedom's new fictional "in these trying times" club and Miko's excellent recent ask. Except these days, most of what I read is nonfiction. Anyone up for a nonfiction #resisting club tackling useful works to know about? I'm thinking a mix of history, maybe some political thought, maybe some sociology kinds of things. Suggestions inside the cut. [more inside]
posted by sciatrix on Feb 7, 2017 - 12 comments

There’s a rat looking at us and a hawk flying overhead as Ask Ken and Robin fields a Michael Shreeves question on making familiars narratively satisfying. Our lead time prevents the Politics Hut from engaging in prognostication, so instead we step back to look at ways of understanding this most chaotic and suspenseful of US primary seasons. [more inside]
posted by graymouser on Feb 19, 2016 - 4 comments

This week: An extra-long episode of Last Week Tonight. Iranian nuclear talks, with John Kerry, the Beau Rivage Hotel and the Inglorius Fonkers. Real democracy makes inroads in Nigeria. President Obama goes to Utah, but hasn't been to South Dakota, so LTW produced a tourism video featuring "hobo George R.R. Martin." Main story: Government surveillance (YouTube 33m), plus interview with Edward Snowden. (Oliver: "HO-LEY SHIT. HE ACTUALLY CAME. EDWARD FUCKING SNOWDEN!") MeFi [more inside]
posted by JHarris on Apr 6, 2015 - 15 comments

In which a golden boy political pollster discovers the harsh realities of campaigning in a digital dystopia, Harold reminisces about the Machine's formative years, Reese goes to anger management, and Root finally meets her adversary's avatar.
posted by homunculus on Oct 21, 2014 - 16 comments