Writer and "gentleman miscellanist" Ben Schott turned to the linguistic flexibility of German to create his own glossary of new words for very specific modern states.
Chattering Class
Peter Hook on Experiencing ‘Unknown Pleasures’
Peter Hook played bass in the seminal post-punk band Joy Division. His new memoir “Unknown Pleasures: Inside Joy Division” sheds some light on the experience.
David Denby Wants to Be a Zombie – in a Good Way
"New Yorker" film critic David Denby reminds us of the power of the movies.
Johnny Carson, Off the Air
Henry Bushkin was a confidant, lawyer, and friend to Johnny Carson - and the Carson that Bushkin knew was very different from the "Tonight Show" host's jolly public persona.
Massimo Vignelli on Design & Civility
The man who designed the New York subway map and brought the Helvetica font to the USA talks about what a designer does, why he's not an artist, and how his work civilized Americans.
The Deadliest Day on ‘The Summit’ of K2
For every four people who have reached the summit of K2, one has died in the attempt. Eleven climbers died on a single day in 2008. A new documentary explores the beauty, danger, and obsession of The Savage Mountain.
Good Ol’ Freda Witnessed Musical History from Within
Freda Kelly was the personal secretary to The Beatles for the band's entire career. She was a first-hand witness to musical history - but has waited half a century to share what she'd seen.
The Rise and Fall of the VHS
VHS cassettes inspire a certain nostalgia for big boxes and low-res images - but they're also the only archive of many recordings made during the technology's dominance.
Baz Luhrmann Follows Tradition by Going Modern
Baz Luhrmann was perfecting the soundtrack of his life years before he created the acclaimed soundtracks for his movies. We talked to him about the role of music in film, and about his Bowie-influenced eclecticism.
Writer Mary Roach Sheds Light on the Hidden World of Digestion
Writer Mary Roach has made an art of science evangelism: her books “Bonk” (about sex) and “Stiff” (cadavers) both became bestsellers. Mary’s latest effort is “Gulp: Adventures of the Alimentary Canal,” which shines a light on the dark spaces where we process food. Mary schools Brendan in several of its fascinating factoids…including saliva-salves, blushing stomachs, […]