Monday, December 3 2007
Learning from Latin America’s Media Pirates
Today’s illicit “DVD factory” in a corner of Paraguay might tomorrow become a node in a democratic, grassroots distribution network for Latin American media.
Monday, November 5 2007
Living on the Margins
The protagonists of tomorrow are people who are off-line, somehow off the grid, unsophisticated or simply unimpressed by the general spectacle of information-overload and conspicuous consumption.
Friday, September 28 2007
On Being Savage
In today's world, in which most native people live not in forests or on islands but in cities, savagery has become a state of mind more than anything else. Perhaps a little 'savagery' would be good for modern civilization.
Monday, August 27 2007
Playing from the Hip
Jorge Ben always sounds like he's playing from the hip, not from the head, not really from the heart either.
Friday, August 3 2007
Delfin Quishpe: Ecuador’s Unlikely YouTube Celebrity
Other than cute animal photos and pornography, the content that enjoys the most popularity on the Internet often has a link to real-world events of generalized significance – like Quishpe's 9/11 video.
Thursday, July 5 2007
Blood Art from Africa?
Everywhere one looks these days, the supposedly "forgotten" continent is under the glare of spotlights. But there is a thin line between patronage and plunder.
Wednesday, May 30 2007
Tom Zé: Brazilian Music Machine
Tom Zé, the tough sertanejo, should not be crossed. Eventually he will have his way.
Thursday, May 3 2007
The Resilient Works of Roberto Bolaño: Raccoon-Resistant, Water Resistant, Immortal
Roberto Bolaño's Los Detectives Salvajes, like so many good works, traverses time, language, cultures, and survives a bit battered, but little worse for the wear.
Friday, April 6 2007
On Revolutions, Civil War and Dictators: The Work of Ryszard Kapuscinski
Kapuscinski, a master of subjective journalism, once referred to news agency reporters as “terrible victims of information”.
Thursday, March 1 2007
Brazilian Choro Music: The Oldest Jazz
Before jazz, before samba and bossa nova, before even Stravinsky had been born, musicians in 19th century Rio were testing their virtuosity playing choro tunes.
Friday, February 2 2007
Tropicália: Brazil’s Musical Revolution Turns 40
Tropicália would combine the cosmopolitan sensibilities and lyrical precision of rock with the entire geological depth of Brazil's considerable musical tradition.
