By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Wed May 18, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
“Where White Man Went Wrong” [picture]
You have probably already seen this, but if not, please enjoy. [The Galactic Empire Times]
Bagels vs. Donuts [comic]
Apparently Purchase College in New York allowed it students to name a newly built dormitory. Would you like to know what they ended up with? Sure you would. [Purchase.edu]
Our own Recovering Politician could make good use of an invention such as this! (Potentially funnier if you have seen him whip out his iPad in person) [picture]
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Wed May 18, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET After last year’s season of flops, network TV channels plan to strive for fresh, original programming. If they’re realize serious about shows with dinosaurs, fairy tale creatures and large-scale Broadway musical numbers, maybe they’re not kidding. [NY Times]
One of the world’s most controversial industries, coal mining, is trying to become popular with a new demographic: children. [Time]
The touching story of a gripping photo that came to represent the Freedom Riders and the civil rights movement: [CNN]
A Long Beach College professor reports that drinking beer and philosophy may go hand in hand. [Huffington Post]
Slate looks at the declining state of one of America’s fattiest fast food chains, Sbarro. Will baked ziti and pizza the size of your head still have a future in American shopping malls? [Slate]
By Robert Kahne, RP Staff, on Wed May 18, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Sports are having all kinds of trouble in 2011. You may have heard The NFL is enduring a lockout, that the NBA has one looming. Baseball, however, seems to be the only sport continuing without some sort of labor debacle–despite the fact that the current collective bargaining agreement (the rules which players and owners agree to) expires in December. Yes, it seems that baseball will continue, even though the Major Leagues face their own crises.
Although the NBA had a shortened season in 1998-99, the most devastating work stoppage in America’s big 3 sports was the 1994 MLB strike. (The worst strike of all would be the 2004-05 NHL strike, but that’s a story for another time). The 1994 baseball season ended abruptly in August that year, and no post-season was held. People were pissed. After the strike ended, attendance and TV ratings plummeted. Baseball was in shambles. Not until Sammy Sosa, Ken Griffey Jr, and Mark McGuire’s home run races of the late 90s did baseball really recover. Of course, that solution only created more problems.
All of this is to say that baseball, more than any other sport, realizes the perils of cancelling games, and it makes sense that they are doing what it takes to keep baseball being played. While football owners seem content to cancel one or even two seasons of football, baseball owners know what happens if that occurs–and its not good. Hopefully football and basketball won’t have to learn these lessons the hard way.
Not to say that baseball doesn’t have its own problems. It does–and they are significant. First of all, people aren’t coming to see baseball at the same rate as they have been. Whether it is the weather, or the quality of ball being played, or just the behavior of the fans in the stands, people aren’t showing up–and baseball’s leaders don’t seem to care. This, in my opinion, is a mistake. This is a problem that is going to have to be addressed–Barry Bonds isn’t walking through that door (because he’s headed to prison). Furthermore, baseball has two ownership crises with some of its marquee franchises–the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although these problems are sure to be solved, they point to some unhealthiness in the league, for sure.
No matter what the problems with baseball, the sport is resilient and defies expectations. For instance, although it is the only major American sport without a salary cap, it has crowned nine different champions in ten different years–giving it sport’s greatest parity. And although attendance appears to be waning, baseball still draws more fans than the NFL, NHL, and NBA do combined. And even though MLB has some seriously draconian video policies, it’s online subscription model is fantastic (seriously, it’s great. I have MLB.tv, and I love it). So, while other sports are headed for some real labor struggles this year, baseball steers clear. Which gives it plenty of time and effort to spend dealing with its other, equally significant, problems.
By RP Staff, on Tue May 17, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET It’s not too often that the RP has a piece about table tennis in the Politics of Swing. But here’s an interesting piece about the dominance of China in the sport, and the consequences for Chinese players that have moved abroad and want to play for their adopted countries. Apparently, the International Table Tennis Federation has made it difficult for Chinese émigrés to do so because of the fear that it will “hinder . . . the development of local talent.” This must be a problem peculiar to the table tennis universe. [ New York Times]
The French Open begins (en fin!) today. Who will be the champion at Roland Garros this year? Nadal? Djokovic? Federer? Qui sait? Here’s a look at the All-Time Top 25 Men’s French Open Players throughout the years. [The Bleacher Report]
Is there something in the Guinness in Northern Ireland? Several weeks ago, Rory McIlroy suffered a very public implosion in Augusta after leading the Masters for two days. This past weekend, fellow Irishman (and RP favorite) Graeme “G-Mac” McDowell had a monumental meltdown at the Players Championship at Sawgrass. McDowell explained what happened to [The Guardian].
By Robert Kahne, RP Staff, on Tue May 17, 2011 at 1:00 PM ET
The film world has gathered in France for the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. Lots of good stuff is going on there–here is a pretty good run-down of everything that has happened so far. [Guardian]
Where were you in 2004? I was in high school, being awkward. So was Napoleon Dynamite, who became hero to millions of awkward high school boys like me everywhere. Nowadays, Fox has decided to make an animated TV show based on Napoleon Dynamite–featuring the entire original cast. Cool idea, or too dated? [/Film]
Thor–which I liked pretty well–managed to beat out the newcomer Bridesmaid–which I loved–in the box office this week. If you haven’t seen either, I recommend both. [Film Junk]
Speaking of Thor, the guy who plays him (Chris Hemsworth) has been confirmed as the title character from Snow White and the Huntsmen. This film follows the story of the Huntsman after he decides to defy the evil witch and not kill Snow White. He will be acting alongside Charlize Theron and Kristin Stewart. I don’t know how I feel about this film, but I like Hemsworth. [The Movie Blog]
Netflix has revolutionized the way that I watch movies. I don’t know about you, but the ability to watch tons of great films on my television on demand has made my life a lot easier. It’s about to get a lot more awesome, as Netflix and Miramax have agreed to a deal to stream a large portion of Miramax’s library. Miramax is, for my money, the best independent film distributor, with films like Pulp Fiction, The Queen, and Good Will Hunting. [WSJ]
Finally, this probably ought to go under The Politics of Humor, but I’m stealing it because I love it. The Ambiguously Gay Duo, the long-dormant SNL sketch, made a glorious return last weekend with Jon Hamm, Jimmy Fallon, Steven Colbert, Steve Carrell, and Ed Helms. There is probably a lesson here that relates to the RP’s latest post about gay marriage, but I’m just going to laugh, because this sketch is hilarious. [Hulu]
By Stephanie Doctrow, RP Staff, on Tue May 17, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET Read this before you watch the next episode of 60 Minutes. Steve Kroft discusses why he broke major journalism rules when interviewing President Obama about Osama bin Laden’s death. [Poynter Institute]
Just how effective is it to look at President Obama compared to his predecessors? [NY Times]
Another crazy use for Twitter: assembling a government? The five parties in Northern Ireland’s government took turns Friday picking the government departments they want to lead and announced their decisions via social media. [Associated Press]
Yes, Disney just trademarked “Seal Team 6.” Expect to see an action movie soon? [Time]
In case you missed it: Saturday Night Live makes fun of Wolf Blitzer and President Obama at the same time. [Hulu]
By Kristen Hamilton, RP Staff, on Tue May 17, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
In honor of the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, I present to you the latest red carpet fashion. Enjoy! [Vogue]
Is Gap becoming the new eBay? [SHEfinds]
Fashion that will make your mouth water: the latest collections by Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, and Louis Vuitton debuted at Paris Fashion Week. Check it out: [WWD]
Two Gossip Girls are leaving the show? You might not think that this affects the fashion world, but oh, it most certainly does! [Just Jared]
If you smoke, you might want to start saving your cigarette butts. Why? Because you can make a dress out of them, duh! Check it out: [AFP]
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Mon May 16, 2011 at 3:00 PM ET
Google is trying to introduce driver-less cars to the roads of Nevada. A very cool story and something that is definitely worth keeping an eye on. [Physorg.com]
HDMI cables. They are required for any high-definition equipment you have these days. I’m not sure if you have noticed, but some retailers carry ridiculously expensive cables (if that doesn’t make you cringe please re-evaluate your life). Do not be fooled, the cheapest cable (this one is $2) you can find will do the same job the expensive ones will. [PC Mag]
Is it time to break up the “Communications Trust” the same way Standard Oil was broken up at the turn of the 20th century? Some have begun to organize the movement and make an effort to the landscape that is largely controlled by AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner. What do you think? Let me know in the comments below. [Alternet]
Playstation Network is finally back online after only 26 incapacitated from a hacker attack. Playstation is offering a “Welcome Back” package for its users that includes some bonuses and free play time on select titles. It will be very interesting to see what Sony’s long term PR stance will be on this incident. [ars technica]
By Sandra Moon, RP Staff, on Mon May 16, 2011 at 1:30 PM ET
Mark your calendars, according to Harold Camping of Family Radio, a Christian network worth more than $100 million, this Saturday, May 21, 2011 is Judgment Day. [NPR]
“Our milk doesn’t expire until May 22”–one of the 21 reasons why this Saturday is not going to be the end of the world. [Huffpost Comedy]
Complaining and being angry at God may be a sign of a deep faith. [Kansas City Star]
Illinois considers endorsing a character education program based on a code of conduct created by the founder of Scientology. [Chicago Tribune]
The Presbyterian Church (USA) joins the growing list of mainline Protestant denominations to approve the ordination of GLBT clergy. [NY Times]
By Grant Smith, RP Staff, on Mon May 16, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
It’s starting to get ugly: the Facebook vs. Google battle takes a nasty turn. [CNN Money]
You say you want a revolution?: Google unveils the first “chrome books” for the market. [International Business Times]
We have seen the future! And…it is, here? Web 2.0 finally comes of age…we think? [Philadelphia Enquirer]
The best Apps of the week. Find them here. [Gizmodo]
Be the first of your co-workers to find the best of web for the week. Find it all here. [Web100]
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