Tony Schwartz: An Ad Man’s Artistic Legacy
Tony Schwartz, ad man and urban folklorist's artistic legacy from his compilation of audio archive sounds that connected everyday life with the wider world.
The Re-Release of a Classic
A new American edition of Ronald Blythe's Akenfield reminds us why it became one of the founding texts of oral history.
Renegade and Folk Hero: The Lasting Appeal of George Costanza
Seinfeld's George Costanza holds a strange place in culture. He's loved, but unlovable. At the heart of that contradiction is his status as folk hero.
Frank Sinatra’s Radical Past
On the occaision of Frank Sinatra's centennial, we look into his radical past.
Tasty! The Story of MSG
MSG, the Japanese flavor enhancer, has grown into an international sensation. But its history is also fraught with tension.
The Class Perceptions of Christmas Decorations in Great Britain
In the U.K., Christmas decorations are often associated with the lower-class, and such visibility has been scorned and criticized.
Cultural Capital
Sociologist Pierre Bourdieu's 1970s concept of cultural capital has been co-opted by economics, racial studies, and education.
It Turns Out Ordinary Life is Full of Poetry (Metaphorically Speaking)
The metaphor isn't just a literary device; it informs our conceptual understanding of language and the world.