How America Lost Its Mind

How America Lost Its Mind PDF Author: Thomas E. Patterson
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 0806165685
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 227

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Book Description
Americans are losing touch with reality. On virtually every issue, from climate change to immigration, tens of millions of Americans have opinions and beliefs wildly at odds with fact, rendering them unable to think sensibly about politics. In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson explains the rise of a world of “alternative facts” and the slow-motion cultural and political calamity unfolding around us. We don’t have to search far for the forces that are misleading us and tearing us apart: politicians for whom division is a strategy; talk show hosts who have made an industry of outrage; news outlets that wield conflict as a marketing tool; and partisan organizations and foreign agents who spew disinformation to advance a cause, make a buck, or simply amuse themselves. The consequences are severe. How America Lost Its Mind maps a political landscape convulsed with distrust, gridlock, brinksmanship, petty feuding, and deceptive messaging. As dire as this picture is, and as unlikely as immediate relief might be, Patterson sees a way forward and underscores its urgency. A call to action, his book encourages us to wrest institutional power from ideologues and disruptors and entrust it to sensible citizens and leaders, to restore our commitment to mutual tolerance and restraint, to cleanse the Internet of fake news and disinformation, and to demand a steady supply of trustworthy and relevant information from our news sources. As philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote decades ago, the rise of demagogues is abetted by “people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.” In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson makes a passionate case for fully and fiercely engaging on the side of truth and mutual respect in our present arms race between fact and fake, unity and division, civility and incivility.

How America Lost Its Mind

How America Lost Its Mind PDF Author: Thomas E. Patterson
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press
ISBN: 0806165685
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 227

Get Book Here

Book Description
Americans are losing touch with reality. On virtually every issue, from climate change to immigration, tens of millions of Americans have opinions and beliefs wildly at odds with fact, rendering them unable to think sensibly about politics. In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson explains the rise of a world of “alternative facts” and the slow-motion cultural and political calamity unfolding around us. We don’t have to search far for the forces that are misleading us and tearing us apart: politicians for whom division is a strategy; talk show hosts who have made an industry of outrage; news outlets that wield conflict as a marketing tool; and partisan organizations and foreign agents who spew disinformation to advance a cause, make a buck, or simply amuse themselves. The consequences are severe. How America Lost Its Mind maps a political landscape convulsed with distrust, gridlock, brinksmanship, petty feuding, and deceptive messaging. As dire as this picture is, and as unlikely as immediate relief might be, Patterson sees a way forward and underscores its urgency. A call to action, his book encourages us to wrest institutional power from ideologues and disruptors and entrust it to sensible citizens and leaders, to restore our commitment to mutual tolerance and restraint, to cleanse the Internet of fake news and disinformation, and to demand a steady supply of trustworthy and relevant information from our news sources. As philosopher Hannah Arendt wrote decades ago, the rise of demagogues is abetted by “people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.” In How America Lost Its Mind, Thomas E. Patterson makes a passionate case for fully and fiercely engaging on the side of truth and mutual respect in our present arms race between fact and fake, unity and division, civility and incivility.

A History of Movie Ratings

A History of Movie Ratings PDF Author: Chris Hicks
Publisher: Abrams
ISBN: 193962911X
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 102

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Book Description
The wire-thin line that separates movies rated PG and R has been crossed over so many times in both directions that industry observers are questioning whether the rating system carries any validity at all. Just where did this system come from? And who's been trusted with dishing out the ratings anyway? As a movie reviewer for more than thirty years, author Chris Hicks knows a thing or two about Hollywood. His masterful synopsis of CARA, the MPAA, and the mess we're in today will make you think twice before you take a film rating at face value.

Dietrich & Riefenstahl: Hollywood, Berlin, and a Century in Two Lives

Dietrich & Riefenstahl: Hollywood, Berlin, and a Century in Two Lives PDF Author: Karin Wieland
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
ISBN: 1631490966
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 478

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Book Description
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award (Biography) Named of the Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post and the Boston Globe Magisterial in scope, this dual biography examines two complex lives that began alike but ended on opposite sides of the century’s greatest conflict. Marlene Dietrich and Leni Riefenstahl, born less than a year apart, lived so close to each other that Riefenstahl could see into Dietrich’s Berlin apartment. Coming of age at the dawn of the Weimar Republic, both sought fame in Germany’s burgeoning motion picture industry. While Dietrich’s depiction of Lola-Lola in The Blue Angel catapulted her to Hollywood stardom, Riefenstahl—who missed out on the part—insinuated herself into Hitler’s inner circle to direct groundbreaking if infamous Nazi propaganda films, like Triumph of the Will. Dietrich, who toured tirelessly with the USO, could never truly go home again; Riefenstahl could never shake her Nazi past. Acclaimed German historian Karin Wieland examines these lives within the vicious crosscurrents of a turbulent century, evoking piercing insights into "the modern era’s most difficult questions, about illusion and mass intoxication, art and truth, courage and capitulation" (New Yorker).

Exiles in Hollywood

Exiles in Hollywood PDF Author: Gene D. Phillips
Publisher: Lehigh University Press
ISBN: 9780934223492
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 640

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Book Description
The book deals with five European film directors who were forced to remain in exile in the wake of the rise of Hitler and who subsequently enriched the American motion picture industry with a reservoir of new talent that had been nurtured in Europe. The directors treated are Fritz Lang, William Wyler, Otto Preminger, Fred Zinnemann, and Billy Wilder.

Pregnancy in Literature and Film

Pregnancy in Literature and Film PDF Author: Parley Ann Boswell
Publisher: McFarland
ISBN: 0786473665
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 247

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Book Description
This exploration of the ways in which pregnancy affects narrative begins with two canonical American texts, Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter (1848) and Harriet Jacobs's Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl (1861). Relying on such diverse works as Frankenstein, Peyton Place, Beloved, and I Love Lucy, the book chronicles how pregnancy evolves from a conventional plot device into a mature narrative form. Especially in the 20th and 21st centuries, the pregnancy narrative in fiction and film acts as a lightning rod with the power to electrify all genres of fiction and film, from early melodrama (Way Down East) to noir (Leave Her to Heaven); from horror (Rosemary's Baby) to science fiction and dystopia (Alien, The Handmaid's Tale); and from iconic (Lolita) to independent (Juno, Precious). Ultimately, the pregnancy narrative in popular film and fiction provides a remarkably clear lens by which we can gauge how popular American film and fiction express our most profound--and most private--fears, values and hopes.

Generative AI in Practice

Generative AI in Practice PDF Author: Bernard Marr
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1394245564
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 313

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Book Description
Dive into the future as we journey through the next frontier of technological advancement Generative AI isn't just the biggest trend right now; it's the pinnacle of today's technological evolution. Beyond the capabilities of ChatGPT and similar AIs that can generate written content and artwork, GenAI is rewriting the rulebook. From crafting intricate industrial designs, writing computer code, and producing mesmerizing synthetic voices to composing enchanting music and innovating genetic breakthroughs, the horizons are limitless. Picture a world where your daily news is read by your favorite celebrity, where video games conjure unparalleled universes in real-time, where machines concoct groundbreaking medicines, and where literature and courses are tailored flawlessly for you. In Generative AI in Practice, renowned futurist Bernard Marr offers readers a deep dive into the captivating universe of GenAI. This comprehensive guide not only introduces the uninitiated to this groundbreaking technology but outlines the profound and unprecedented impact of GenAI on the fabric of business and society. It's set to redefine all our jobs, revolutionize business operations, and question the very foundations of existing business models. Beyond merely altering, GenAI promises to elevate the products and services at the heart of enterprises and intricately weave itself into the tapestry of our daily lives. Through 19 enriching chapters, Marr canvases a vast array of sectors, shedding light on the most innovative real-world GenAI applications through practical examples and how they are molding the contours of various industries including retail, healthcare, education, and finance. Marr discusses the exciting innovations in media and entertainment to the seismic shifts in advertising, customer engagement and beyond, but also critically addresses the risks, challenges, and the future trajectory of GenAI. Throughout the pages of this book, you will: Navigate the complex landscapes of risks and challenges posed by GenAI. Delve into the revolutionary transformation of the job market in the age of GenAI. Discover how retail is evolving with virtual try-ons and AI-powered personalization. Dive deep into the transformative impact on education, offering truly personalized learning experiences. Witness the metamorphosis of healthcare, from AI-aided drug discoveries to custom advice. Explore the boundless potentials in media, design, banking, coding, and even the legal arena. Ideal for professionals, technophiles, and anyone eager to understand the next big thing in technology and its monumental impact on our world, Generative AI In Practice will equip readers with insights on how to implement GenAI, how GenAI is different to traditional AI, and a comprehensive list of generative AI tools in the appendix.

Risky Business

Risky Business PDF Author: R. Serge Denisoff
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
ISBN: 141283337X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 519

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Book Description
The role of motion pictures in the popularity of rock music became increasingly significant in the latter twentieth century. Rock music and its interaction with film is the subject of this significant book that re-examines and extends Serge Denisoff’s pioneering observations of this relationship. Prior to Saturday Night Fever rock music had a limited role in the motion picture business. That movie’s success, and the success of its soundtrack, began to change the silver screen. In 1983, with Flashdance, the situation drastically evolved and by 1984, ten soundtracks, many in the pop/rock genre, were certified platinum. Choosing which rock scores to discuss in this book was a challenging task. The authors made selections from seminal films such as The Graduate, Easy Rider, American Grafitti, Saturday Night Fever, Help!, and Dirty Dancing. However, many productions of the period are significant not because of their success, but because of their box office and record store failures. Risky Business chronicles the interaction of two major mediums of mass culture in the latter twentieth century. This book is essential for those interested in communications, popular culture, and social change.

The South Never Plays Itself

The South Never Plays Itself PDF Author: Ben Beard
Publisher: NewSouth Books
ISBN: 1588384241
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Since Birth of a Nation became the first Hollywood blockbuster in 1915, movies have struggled to reckon with the American South—as both a place and an idea, a reality and a romance, a lived experience and a bitter legacy. Nearly every major American filmmaker, actor, and screenwriter has worked on a film about the South, from Gone with the Wind to 12 Years a Slave, from Deliveranceto Forrest Gump. In The South Never Plays Itself, author and film critic Ben Beard explores the history of the Deep South on screen, beginning with silent cinema and ending in the streaming era, from President Wilson to President Trump, from musical to comedy to horror to crime to melodrama. Beard’s idiosyncratic narrative—part cultural history, part film criticism, part memoir—journeys through genres and eras, issues and regions, smash blockbusters and microbudget indies to explore America’s past and troubled present, seen through Hollywood’s distorting lens. Opinionated, obsessive, sweeping, often combative, sometimes funny—a wild narrative tumble into culture both high and low—Beard attempts to answer the haunting question: what do movies know about the South that we don’t?

Out of the Shadows

Out of the Shadows PDF Author: Gene D. Phillips
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 0810881896
Category : Performing Arts
Languages : en
Pages : 323

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Book Description
Film noir was a cycle in American cinema which first came into prominence during World War II, peaked in the 1950s, and began to taper off as a definable trend by 1960. Over the years, a group of films from the period emerged as noir standards, beginning with Stranger on the Third Floor in 1940. However, since film noir is too wide-ranging, it cannot be kept within the narrow limits of the official canon that has been established by film historians. Consequently, several neglected movies made during the classic noir period need to be re-evaluated as noir films. In Out of the Shadows: Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir, Gene Phillips provides an in-depth examination of several key noir films, including acknowledged masterpieces like Laura, The Maltese Falcon, Sunset Boulevard, and Touch of Evil, as well as films not often associated with film noir like Spellbound, A Double Life, and Anatomy of a Murder. Phillips also examines overlooked or underappreciated films such as Song of the Thin Man, The Glass Key, Ministry of Fear, and Act of Violence. Also considered in this reevaluation are significant neo-noir films, among them Chinatown, Hammett, L.A. Confidential, and The Talented Mr. Ripley. In his analyses, Phillips draws upon a number of sources, including personal interviews with directors and others connected with their productions, screenplays, and evaluations of other commentators. Out of the Shadows explores not only the most celebrated noir films but offers new insight into underrated films that deserve reconsideration. Of interest to film historians and scholars, this volume will also appeal to anyone who wants a better understanding of the works that represent this unique cycle in American filmmaking.

The God Who Rejoices

The God Who Rejoices PDF Author: Christian D. Kettler
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1621893324
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 350

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Book Description
How does one deal with despair? Are joy and despair irreconcilable? How does the joy and despair of Jesus Christ relate to our joy and despair? Continuing to explore the implications of the vicarious humanity of Christ as he did in The God Who Believes, Christian Kettler investigates the christological implications of the all too human phenomenon of despair. All people experience the pain of personal loss and lack, of the meaninglessness of existence. We also desire and covet joy, as difficult as it is often to define or maintain. Jesus was both "the man of sorrows" and one who "for the joy set before him endured the cross" (Heb 12:2). Can we think of the despair of Christ and the joy of Christ as both being vicarious, in our place and on our behalf, and thus have a theological way to possess joy in the midst of despair as well as to have a more robust theology of the atonement? Drawing on wide-ranging resources from Augustine, Calvin, Karl Barth, and T. F. Torrance to Bob Dylan, the fantasy writer Ray Bradbury, and Ed Wood, the director of Plan Nine from Outer Space, Kettler seeks to bring Trinitarian and incarnational theology deep into our flesh, filled with real despair and joy, and find that Jesus is there, with his own despair, there to lift us up with his own joy.