Dear Sir or Madam: We hope you will both enjoy and be edified by Andrew Ross's latest salvo against censorship, worker abuse, and debt peonage in the Gulf. "Degrees of Danger: In the United Arab Emirates" explores the sorry side effects of construction projects headed up by New York University, the Guggenheim, the Louvre, and others. Following bad press, fair labor standards were belatedly and reluctantly established, but, as Ross reveals, "implementation and enforcement was another matter." Meanwhile, on the Baffler blog, L.A. Kauffman wrote a piece about what she's seen at the recent protests over the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and how they differ - visually and strategically - from any other protests she's been a part of in the past thirty years. WNYC later interviewed Kauffman about her piece and the "powerful political theater" she's been seeing; you can listen to that interview here. Finally, if you are in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area next Thursday, Dec. 18th, and if would like to enjoy some sparkling conversation and sparkling beverages, please join us at our Anti-Holiday Party. No gadgets will be for sale here, and no gift-wrapping elves, but Astra Taylor and Joanne McNeil will be, to discuss their piece "The Dads of Tech." Find out more here. Sincerely, The Baffler |