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Culture Archive

Archives for December 2014

Culture
Lyndon Johnson’s aides are mad that MLK is the hero of SelmaLyndon Johnson’s aides are mad that MLK is the hero of Selma
Culture

At last a movie about race that doesn’t have a white hero.

By Matthew Yglesias
Culture
The Interview made over 5 times as much online as it did in theatersThe Interview made over 5 times as much online as it did in theaters
Culture

It pulled in $15 million over the long weekend, according to Sony.

By Emily St. James
Technology
Court Allows Aereo to Auction TV Streaming Technology AssetsCourt Allows Aereo to Auction TV Streaming Technology Assets
Technology

Under the agreement, Aereo will allow the broadcasters -- including CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox -- to attend the auction of the assets.

By Reuters
Culture
The Interview wants to be a brutal satire of North Korea and the media. Don’t fall for it.The Interview wants to be a brutal satire of North Korea and the media. Don’t fall for it.
Culture

The movie is ultimately a celebration of American ignorance of other countries.

By Emily St. James
Science
Meet the anti-Dr. Oz: Ben GoldacreMeet the anti-Dr. Oz: Ben Goldacre
Science

A Q&A with the physician and science writer on his new book.

By Julia Belluz
Culture
The Interview made $1 million on Christmas DayThe Interview made $1 million on Christmas Day
Culture

That’s simultaneously a pretty good number and a bit of a disappointment.

By Emily St. James
Culture
The year in music, according to 26 award categories we made upThe year in music, according to 26 award categories we made up
Culture

These 26 songs aren’t necessarily 2014’s best. But they’re among its most memorable, and each filled a highly specific niche.

By Kelsey McKinney
Technology
How David McCandless makes beautiful visualizations that go viral over and overHow David McCandless makes beautiful visualizations that go viral over and over
Technology

The secrets behind some of the web’s most popular charts and graphs

By Joseph Stromberg
Culture
Here are 9 movies to stream when you’re sick of talking to your familyHere are 9 movies to stream when you’re sick of talking to your family
Culture

The perfect film for your surprisingly cool younger cousin, your grandparents, and that one relative who’s way too smart.

By Emily St. James
Science
How astronauts celebrate Christmas in spaceHow astronauts celebrate Christmas in space
Science

Tiny, upside-down trees and thermostabilized turkey

By Joseph Stromberg
Movies
This six-second clip shows how awful The Interview truly isThis six-second clip shows how awful The Interview truly is
Movies

For some reason, in the film Kim Jong Un insists that he “has a butthole.”

By Max Fisher
North Korea
Watching The Interview is a propaganda victory for Kim Jong UnWatching The Interview is a propaganda victory for Kim Jong Un
North Korea

Portraying the movie as an act of defiance against Kim Jong Un buys into his propaganda and helps him stay in power.

By Max Fisher
Almanac
This Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heartThis Christmas letter that J.R.R. Tolkien sent his children will warm your heart
Almanac

“It all happened like this: one very windy day last November my hood blew off and went and stuck on the top of the North Pole.”

By Brandon Ambrosino
Almanac
Caganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explainedCaganer — the strangest, most scatological part of Catalan nativity scenes — explained
Almanac

Defecation in the nativity scene doesn’t mock Christianity — it helps explain it.

By Brandon Ambrosino
Marriage Equality
How to go the movies with your family and avoid seeing awkward sex scenes togetherHow to go the movies with your family and avoid seeing awkward sex scenes together
Marriage Equality

What you and your parents need to know before seeing Foxcatcher

By Alex Abad-Santos