Archives for April 2011
We Just Came To Bomb Hello*
Kinda like this thing but there’s something you should know
we just came to bomb hello
*(revised Azure Sky video edit)
If the above Flash video doesn’t show on your iOS/Chrome device, here’s the re-cut Stiftung YouTube version:
These are dangerous times even without hype. For the first time since 1918, Waltz’ structural architecture of systemic international anarchy (defined not as ‘chaos’ but competitive positioning limited only by viable international means) puts forth a vacating chair. The Continent anticipated and feared the coming American century. The foundations of this entire blog have roots there.
We Americans, blissfully withdrew to our own continent, focusing on accumulating capital, ignoring the tired Lion’s increasingly feeble efforts to maintain its seat. Wilson thusly delivered a double blow — demonstrating the Empire’s implausibility then failing to deliver American power to the systemic framework. Now it’s our turn to look back at our ‘Diamond Jubilee’, perhaps.
It’s become oddly jejune to muse about international theory in practical terms. Recently, Japan (remember when Summers glommed onto that one in *1990*?) emerged a contender. A hard case of the unipolar flu in the 1990s restored American swagger only to give way to today’s feverish China nightmares. After squandering circa a trillion dollars a year on spastic militarism for the last decade, re-calibrating America’s strategic footprint happens in a conceptual vacuum.
Some argue re-callibration without intellectual infrastructure poses risk but also presents opportunity. These American Great Jump Aheaders urge us to see the de-stabilized Waltzian international order as Kobe Bryant looks down court on a fast break: reacting to what just passed (the old-bi-polar comfort and the briefly hellish uni-polar fever). The analogy? The U.S. naturally adapts to reality now but can shape shape fluid events “on the fly”. No excessive dwelling on the last play. (Forgive the sports metaphors. We rarely use them). Taken to extreme, the argument descends to the ad hoc.
Some permutations of the ad hoc are undeniably fanciful. Most seem unsound. Some might evolve into strategic merit if ever we Americans reconcile national interest with ideals. And it’s not at all clear that a nominal, constitutional republic premised on separation of powers will have the wherewithal to think, let alone act, with the necessary alacrity should it find a strategy conducive to Kobe Bryant fast breaks.
Taking A Stand At Last
Every journey begins with a footstep . . . . (c) Hallmark Corp.
“One possible future. From your point of view… I don’t know tech stuff.”
Welcome to another Stiftung Comic, this ‘ish, “NATO STRIKES!”
The Secret Behind Sarkozy’s Mania To Attack Libya
The comic issue begins with the fateful decision to bomb Libya. . .
Obama declares his firm decision that he will bomb and attack Libya, but no boots will ever touch Libyan soil. The U.S. military follows its orders to the letter . . .
But even the best military plans go awry . . .
Demotic Hierarchy And Exclusion – Get Used To It
What’s most bothersome about this invitation [from the Hirshhorn Museum] is the statement about members: “Members get in free and have access to VIP area.” You can see that line for yourself in the picture at left.
“A VIP area”? At a public museum, an arm of the Smithsonian Institution? . . . And now, the Hirshhorn — no doubt in an effort to raise money (the lowest level of membership costs $100 to $249 a year ) — is creating a VIP lounge within an already questionable activity? After Hours seems to involve gallery tours as well as “music and live performances on the plaza.” Guess which is the draw?
As a subsequent press release said:
From his infamous dance parties (RAW, MIXTAPE) to his guest spots at numerous DC nightlife events, audience favorite DJ Shea Van Horn sheds his drag alter ego, Summer Camp, and returns to After Hours to stir up the dance floor and leave a trail of exhausted revelers in his wake.
We’ve been left behind in steerage for some time. It’s the little details that speak volumes. It’s tempting to see this through the prism of elitist art, etc. — in fact, precisely how the Movement assaults ‘wealthy’ union families earning $49,000 a year. Or perhaps some well-intentioned if clueless ‘Yes we can!’ believer thought a rave party at the Hirshhorn would improve visibility, attendance and promote art (somehow).
We agree the larger, more important issue the symbolic: the non-chalant acceptance of class privileges in public spaces.