Tag Archives: culture

The “Quantum Imaginary”

Posted on June 2, 2014 by mikeplugh

The term “global imaginary” is associated with Global Studies scholar Manfred B. Steger, who describes the phenomenon in his 2009 book “The Rise of the Global Imaginary and the Persistence of Ideology”: Let me suggest that there is, indeed, something … Continue reading →

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Let Me Clear My Throat

Posted on May 30, 2014 by mikeplugh

Recently, I’ve had occasion to teach the first several chapters of Joshua Meyrowitz‘ 1985 book “No Sense of Place.” The premise of the book is that new media produce new situations, if I might take the liberty of boiling an … Continue reading →

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No really, the map is not the territory, people.

Posted on September 30, 2012 by mikeplugh

Disputes between nations over territory is nothing new. It’s the stuff of ancient wars, tribal conflicts, and modern diplomatic headaches. Kashmir is a high profile example, as is the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, to say nothing of Israel/Palestine. Part … Continue reading →

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Facebookus Interruptis

Posted on September 21, 2012 by mikeplugh

With a hat tip to my friend Alix Howard, news that a hostage taker in Pittsburgh has been “live-blogging” his own evolving situation has crossed my desk. My first thought was that we’re seeing a 2012 version of Dog Day … Continue reading →

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Didn’t See That Coming – Ichiro Edition

Posted on July 24, 2012 by mikeplugh

Over the last several years, my fascination with social media, including most of my foray into blogging and tweeting, has been related to the sports world and the notion of fandom in that sense. A lot of the lessons I’ve … Continue reading →

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West#FAILia

Posted on May 2, 2012 by mikeplugh

In the mid-17th century, a series of treaties were signed in Europe to end a raging era of internal conflict that included the Holy Roman Empire and various kingdoms across the continent. The general agreement has been called the Treaty … Continue reading →

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Parking and Japanese Time

Posted on April 28, 2012 by mikeplugh

Since I moved to Japan 8 years ago, several things have continued to elude me in terms of my own cultural behaviors and successful integration. One of those things is parking. “Parking,” you say? Yes, parking. It’s a seemingly innocuous … Continue reading →

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Bullshit and the Art of Crap Detection (Neil Postman)

Posted on April 18, 2012 by mikeplugh

This has been posted elsewhere in the Internet wilderness, but I think it’s substantially more important than most of the other bullshit out there that I’m reproducing it in full, rather than simply linking to it. Enjoy. “Bullshit and the … Continue reading →

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Speaker (Pelosi) Amplification

Posted on February 23, 2012 by mikeplugh

Rachel Maddow had a rather lengthy and in depth interview with House Democratic Majority Leader and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her last program. Maddow asked Representative Pelosi about the changes she’s seen in her 25 year tenure in Congress, … Continue reading →

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“Special”

Posted on February 10, 2012 by mikeplugh

My kids are sitting in front of the television right now watching the 1969 film “Frost the Snowman” narrated by Jimmy Durante. It’s part of a Christmas DVD box set with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and others. It’s not a … Continue reading →

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