Hugely enjoyable profile by David Denby in the New Yorker of Eastwood and his films that looks at threads running from Fistful of Dollars through Unforgiven and into his current crop.

Another bullshit calling article from a few weeks back that says "Social Media is people talking to each other", which is true, but then spends paragraphs and paragraphs explaining why, which kinda indicates "Social Media is people talking to each other" isn't actually that simple when you start digging. Still, I agree with the spirit of the piece.

I loved reading this as he hits a number of things I've been thinking about, muttering about on Twitter or feeling unable to articulate in case they get misinterpreted (one of the perils of working in an industry you're commenting on...) I don't necessarily agree with his conclusions or opinions but it's a great codification of worries I've been having since SXSWi this year. (There's a counter argument <a href="http://radar.oreilly.com/2009/07/in-defense-of-social-media.html">here</a>.)

Arguments from an academic who I respect are always worth looking at. Yes, she's fundamentally wrong. Yes, she's speaking about things she doesn't understand. But these are the sort of questions and issues folk like me need to have answers for.

Fascinating essay on the aesthetics of Star Wars that, if I'm boiling this down right, sees the Rebellion against the Empire as an attack on minimalism. Well worth a read even if you don't know or like Star Wars.