Arts & Entertainment

YANG | The Romance of Substack and the Illusion of Meritocracy

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Against this backdrop of the illusion of meritocracy, contrary to what Best said in the interview, I argue that Substack does not free journalists from the need to game the social media algorithms. Instead, Substack primarily serves those who have already successfully “gamed” the algorithms — those that have already been rewarded with attention, fame and popularity on existing social media platforms, particularly Twitter.

Arts & Entertainment

Mortal Kombat Gets the “R” It Deserves

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This is not the first, or even the second, Mortal Kombat film. Over two decades ago, two separate live action Mortal Kombat films were released. The second was a major critical and commercial flop (leading to a twenty-four year pause before they tried again), but the first was an unexpected success. 1995’s Mortal Kombat is still widely embraced by fans and has solidified itself as an essential nineties-cheese cult classic. However, despite how fun the original Mortal Kombat was and still is, it lacked the defining aspect that, to many fans, defines Mortal Kombat: gore.

Arts & Entertainment

Susan Choi MFA ’95 Reads ‘Flashlight’ for Zalaznick Reading Series

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Although the internal narration at first feels cool and detached, Choi skillfully weaves undertones of tension into Louisa’s thoughts and feelings. We are subtly — yet repeatedly — reminded that she is a child who, at ten years old, already bears an intense distrust and contempt towards the adults around her. The story’s ending leaves the reader feeling both hopeful and doubtful about whether healing is possible — and if it is, what form it will take.

Arts & Entertainment

Questioning Power: An Interview with Gloria Oladipo ’21

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Gloria Oladipo ’21: “I think people should care about The Good Victim because I would hope that people are interested in diving into these questions of sexual assault and sexual violence, especially on a campus like our own. I think that people should show up to support a majority Black cast, and an all-Black creative team. I think that people should want to engage in art that’s challenging.”

Arts & Entertainment

PONTIN | ‘In Fair Verona’

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“Romeo and Juliet” is a story that feels universal. I feel it would be an oversight, however, to designate it purely as a love story. It is an account of deep-rooted tension, of superfluous strife and of needless violence, with love riding along in a sidecar.