April 24, 2022
Ursula Bellugi, Pioneer in the World of Sign Language, Dies at 91
A pioneer in the study of the biological foundations of language who was among the first to demonstrate that sign language was just as complex, abstract and systematic as spoken language Dr. Bellugi and Dr. Klima, who died in 2008, demonstrated conclusively that the world’s signed languages — of which there are more than 100 — were actual languages in their own right, not just translations of spoken languages.
Non-paywalled [more inside]
A Return to Possibility
While reading Hal Erickson's entertainingly-written encyclopedia of television cartoon shows, I discovered an entry about a show I'd never heard of, the 1992-1993 single-season American-South-Korean series Twinkle the Dream Being, co-created by the people behind Denver the Last Dinosaur and Widget the World Watcher. Looking it up, I discovered that the entire series, save a few clips, was considered lost until two months ago, when the whole thing was uploaded to YouTube.
Don't forget the other Big Dig
For sheer bravado in engineering, Boston’s central artery project has no precedent. Or does it? Let’s turn back the clock about 200 years before the Big Dig . . .
Gen Z’s war on modern-day work
"American workers across various ages, industries, and income brackets have experienced heightened levels of fatigue, burnout, and general dissatisfaction toward their jobs since the pandemic’s start. The difference is, more young people are airing these indignations and jaded attitudes on the internet, often to viral acclaim." (previously) [more inside]
Unclear and Present Danger
It happens. You want to rewatch Star Trek VI—the one that is a metaphor for the end of the Cold War—but you’re worried you might miss some of the contemporary political references. In fact, you’re probably feeling there’s no point unless there were some way to connect it to the whole genre of political and military thrillers of the 90s.
Fortunately, there’s the Unclear and Present Danger podcast. America’s foremost cereal reviewer (and NYT columnist) Jamelle Bouie joins John Ganz to talk about how America (and Hollywood) saw itself as the USSR collapsed. [more inside]
The cool, clear eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth
Orrin Grant Hatch (March 22, 1934 – April 23, 2022)
Orrin Hatch, the longest-serving Republican senator in U.S. history, dies at 88 [Deseret News ]
“He was a tough partisan, a solid conservative, but he could make strategic alliances to get legislation passed,” former Senate historian Donald Ritchie said in an interview. “No one questioned his ideology, so he could deal. People on his side of the aisle trusted him, and people on the other side respected him.” [Washington Post] [more inside]
“He was a tough partisan, a solid conservative, but he could make strategic alliances to get legislation passed,” former Senate historian Donald Ritchie said in an interview. “No one questioned his ideology, so he could deal. People on his side of the aisle trusted him, and people on the other side respected him.” [Washington Post] [more inside]
Wachowski auction for trans youth
The Wachowski sisters are auctioning off a vast amount of stuff to benefit trans youth. Items include the speeder from Cloud Atlas, the lightning gun from The Matrix, and a bunch of guns from Jupiter Ascending, as well as a bunch of things that probably won't cost a berjillion bucks.
How the Sausage McMuffin Gets Made
The Utah Democratic Party votes to endorse independent candidate Evan McMullin over their own candidate, Kael Weston (statement), in his race against Senator Mike Lee.
Through The Looking Glass
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