Hosting the World Cup isn’t cheap. Neither is hosting the Olympics. Nations who host the World Cup and the Olympic Games often lose money. Despite revenue from tourism, the planning, stadium construction, logistics, and disruptions end up leaving the host nation not only without profit, but with new debt. So…

Gary Vaynerchuk (aka Gary Vee) knows something special. At the seat of his philosophy is a secret truth that animates his many businesses as a branding expert, social media guru, writer and entrepreneur. …

Thematic Analysis of August Wilson’s play, Fences August Wilson’s Fences is concerned with generations and the legacy that one generation passes on to the next. What is passed on is always important, but it’s not always good. It’s not always positive. But the play’s closing scene suggests that change is…

Another Country (1962) is James Baldwin’s third novel (and fifth published book). Many of its topics — race, racism, sexual fluidity — fit perfectly in today’s social and political discourse. And not just in terms of the choice of topics, but in Baldwin’s particular approach to them: a fully open…

Thoughts on The Changeling by Joy Williams What a strange book. The Changeling (1978) begins conventionally enough. The prose is clear and exciting. But the story begins to decompose as it goes on, becoming something other than a story. This quality is praised in the introduction included in the 40th…

Thoughts on NW by Zadie Smith While it is difficult not to read NW (2012) with Zadie Smith’s personal biography in mind, the novel is not centrally concerned with who she is as a person. At least not directly. Because NW is concerned primarily with a sense of the future…

Analyzing the History Channel’s hit show, ALONE Alone is a reality television survival show where contestants are sent to isolated locations in the wilderness to see who can last longest living alone, exposed to the elements and separated from society. It’s a show about strategy. It’s a show about the beauty and power of nature. It’s a…

The Social Commentary Embedded in ‘House Hunters’ (HGTV) The social commentary in House Hunters on HGTV is usually subtle, baked into the choices made before filming begins for each episode. …

Discussing The Karate Kid (1984) as a film about social class and class division in America The most obvious narrative arc in The Karate Kid is Daniel Russo’s growth from a novice martial arts student to a karate champion. …