I'm actually reading this interview now. I like Franzen's books, but I don't seek out too much information about authors (or musicians or actors I like), because it usually detracts from rather than enhances my impression of the work. But because this sparked debate, I'm checking it out... he says a bunch of…

Don't muddy the waters here... I assume Nicholas Sparks books do not get fawned over in the New York Times Book Review.

There are many, many instances in which humans masturbate or penetrate captive animals - either for breeding purposes or for the sexual relief of animals in heat that are not to be bred at that moment. They don't ask consent, but presumably the human doesn't get pleasure from the job. What do you think about that? I'm…

Is "guess she's back to the business of promoting music" snark or realism?

I kind of like that she called out the corner putting (you go Julianne!). Since there's three (or more) sides to every story, I think it can be simultaneously true that Haim probably thought this was a hoot and enjoyed it (and that it's a career move), Morris Day may impressed by them on their own merits (if he's seen…

Interesting.... to me personally because my nephew's Russian mother is obsessed with NOT playing in the dirt and refuses to vaccinate (which makes me terrified on his behalf, and brings the topic close to home for me). Not to suggest that this one individual's behavior says anything about Russians in general, but it…

He was a little too "pro-choice" for my taste. Sort of advocating for skepticism on vaccine safety as a healthy skepticism of the medical industry as a whole. I think there's plenty of room to criticize aspects of health care as industry and policy without introducing a "healthy" skepticism on a topic that goes way…

I feel like the more superficial topics are most worthy of armchair debate. Like, who am I to argue foreign policy? I think we all agree that ISIS (the militants, not the metal band) is disgusting, right?

In case you are being straight with this reply, I will explain to you straight that this was a comment made in jest. I am quite outraged on behalf of humanity that Taylor Swift has apparently applied for legal rights to this phrase (according to stories I read here, I have not done my homework... maybe it was an Onion…

obviously I'm putting all my mental efforts into the most important topics of our times!

These Sick Drapes

I've been thinking about Sam Smith since reading some articles about him... I like his voice and is songs a lot - who doesn't? I think he's more of an authentic creative contributor to his own work than a lot of pop artists, especially since he is in so many ways not the typical pop star - plain looking by comparison,…

For perspective, I think Kanye got robbed by cheeseball Macklemore last year. I think Kanye put out music that was not just big but also musically interesting and artistic and provocative. I would like to see music awarded that I would use such adjectives to describe. I also appreciate Kanye's willingness to spout off…

I feel like it is not a case of same old dopes, but it is easy to say it looks that way, especially if you pose it as a white dude vs black woman thing - like Beck and Beyonce are the only possible contenders? If the Grammys are supposed to be about artistry as opposed to entertainment, then the award went to the more…

I feel like this is one of those things that has become a cliche that falls apart upon deeper examination. Since anyone with a kitchen can make special guacamole using tools and abilities that are completely unrelated to the tools and abilities that would go into the important stuff in terms of safety and tech.…

I don't even want to have an opinion about Taylor vs Katy, because I think they are both so schlocktastic, but since Taylor's copyrighting of The English Language I'm passionately Team Katy. Every single human under the age of 50 (and maybe my 51 year old drummer too) has already said "this sick beat" in a spontaneous…

No, you're not warped, it's rather uggo. I'm just very pro-bland, at least professionally. I don't think oodles of personality or sex appeal does anything for the workplace!

I think there's a time and place for boring, modest dress. The time is every day and the place is called "jobs."

I hope someone more well liked than I gets you out of the greys. good one.

It's like one of those stupid cartoons about "what women say" vs "what women mean." Anyway, did she actually deliver freshmen women to party with him, or is that a smokescreen too? In my day, I mistook many of my interactions with men as "close friendships" when they were actually poorly boundaried relationships with…