Notablog

Rand Studies, Remembrance

RIP Stephen Cox, 1948-2024

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October 1, 2024

Late last month, I learned that my dear friend and longtime colleague, Stephen D. Cox, died on September 6, 2024. I knew Stephen for more than thirty years. A literary and cultural historian, Stephen was Professor of Literature and Director of the Humanities Program at the University of California, San…
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Film / TV / Theater Review, Remembrance

RIP, Maggie Smith

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September 27, 2024

From her Oscar-winning turn in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” to “Downton Abbey” and her wonderful presence in the Harry Potter franchise, she was one of the finest of her generation. RIP, Maggie Smith (1934-2024).
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Music

Song of the Day #2150

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September 21, 2024

Song of the Day: Cruel Summer features the words and music of Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, and the three founding members—Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, and Keren Woodword—of the group Bananarama that brought us this 1983 song. Though issued initially as a stand-alone single, the song was eventually included on the…
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Culture, Dialectics, Politics (Theory, History, Now), Rand Studies

Should Libertarians be Attempting to Influence Culture: A Discussion with Winton Bates and Chris Matthew Sciabarra (II)

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September 17, 2024

This discussion also appears on the Freedom and Flourishing blog of Winton Bates. As the graphic might suggest, the focus of the second edition of our collaborative efforts is Chris Matthew Sciabarra’s view of the role of culture in the relations of power in modern societies. However, before Chris presents…
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Film / TV / Theater Review, Music

Song of the Day #2149

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September 15, 2024

Song of the Day: Jim Henson Idea Man (“Thank You Jim”) [YouTube link], composed by David Fleming, is a poignant theme from this Emmy-winning 2024 documentary, directed by Ron Howard, which debuted on Disney Plus back in May. The film is a lovely tribute to a wonderful creator who brought…
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Culture, Music

Yacht Sandman?

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September 14, 2024

Way back on October 18, 2013, my Song of the Day was the classic “Enter Sandman” by Metallica, in tribute to the great Hall of Fame relief pitcher Mariano Rivera on the occasion of a Yankee Stadium Tribute Day. Since I never feature a song TWICE in “My Favorite Songs“,…
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Music, Remembrance

WTC Remembrance / Song of the Day #2148

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September 11, 2024

Song of the Day: I’ve Got a Crush on New York Town, words and music by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett, was recorded by Connie Francis for her 1964 album, “A New Kind of Connie“. New York is the town of my birth; I have lived here my entire…
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Film / TV / Theater Review, Remembrance

James Earl Jones, RIP

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September 9, 2024

The legendray James Earl Jones has died at the age of 93. Winner of a Tony, an Emmy, and a Golden Gobe, he also was feted with an honorary Oscar and induction into the Kennedy Center. From the menacing voice of Darth Vader to his many film and stage roles,…
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Dialectics, Politics (Theory, History, Now), Rand Studies

From Eclectics to Dialectics

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September 8, 2024

In the furtherance of my dialectical libertarian framework, I have drawn from many different thinkers and traditions. I have sometimes been asked if my approach was a form of eclecticism. To be an eclectic is often looked down upon because it suggests that a person has derived their viewpoint from…
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Music, Remembrance

Sergio Mendes, RIP

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September 7, 2024

I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Sergio Mendes, who died on Thursday at the age of 83. I was first exposed to his joyful music with Brasil 66 when I was a kid and have featured so many of their tracks through the years. He…
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