Monsters of Modernity: The Metamorphosis at 100

Alexander Billet Red Wedge
This may be the most relevant legacy of Franz Kafka’s tale. It is a reminder that in a world dominated by capital, terror is so commonplace as to be almost hidden in plain sight. And in so being, it is capable of turning the human condition into something unspeakable.

'Gasoline on the Fire': Obama Orders Ground Troops To Syria

Jon Queally Common Dreams
Since Obama first announced the bombing campaign in Iraq and Syria in 2014, critics have warned that such tactics would likely lead to "mission creep" in the two countries. As the number of troops in Iraq has steadily grown over the last year and a half, this will be the first acknowledged presence of U.S. soldiers in Syria—a country against which the U.S. has not officially declared war.

Amending Wall

Darrel Alejandro Holnes Heart Journal Online
The New York-based poet Darrel Alejandro Holnes addresses the matter of walls--geographic boundaries, borders, fences--that attempt to delineate the peoples on different sides and the ultimate hypocrisy, futility of the effort.

Vampire Bats: More Cuddly Than You Think

molneyhamel PLOS One
Vampire bats, unlike werewolves and ghosts, are real critters, and at this time of the year they get lots of mentions. But their image, research shows, doesn't really do them justice. Vampire bats do drink blood, but they are also the most social of bats, cuddling and grooming each other at far higher rates than other bats. And this may be the surprising reason that they're so social.

Documentary: Jafar Panahi's Taxi

Shooting almost entirely within a cab circling the streets of Tehran, the great director Jafar Panahi (Offside, This Is Not a Film) offers a multilayered mosaic of life in today's Iran.

Professors in Poverty

Meet Dr. Wanda Evans-Brewer. She has been teaching for 20 years and has a PhD in Education. She is also living in poverty.

Alabama Shakes: Future People

Alabama Shakes has a unique soulful rock sound. This is from their new (second) album, Sound & Color, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.

Can Sanderistas Create a True Leftist Movement?

Harold Meyerson The Washington Post
The victory for Sanders' legions in all probability won’t be putting Bernie in the White House, but creating a surging and enduring left. That, in turn, requires them to give as much thought to forming or joining autonomous post-campaign organizations, and envisioning post-campaign mobilizations, as they now do to advancing Sanders’s candidacy. Indeed, they need to start forming such organizations today, while they are together campaigning for Sanders.