Annalee Newitz's discussions

I totally disagree. I think one of the strengths of the work produced by people like McHugh and Robinson is that they remind us that China is not a monolithic culture at all — it's a huge, sprawling mess of different ethnicities, value systems, and life experiences. During the twentieth century the region suffered… Read more

Fucking Vasquez. You are great with a gun, and deliver quips as fast as bullets. We are going to miss you. Also, your weird sweaters and uncanny ability to find images of nineteenth century antiquarian fake mummy feet. Read more

Possibly. Except there is no glut of "China ascendent" books and movies. Just a small handful, from the past 70 years. Our ability to imagine China's future (at least in North America) seems impoverished. Read more

I think it was a fine episode too, but the humor was really off. Fusco made off with some of the evidence — you're right. Read more

I could see that. But after all the ways the episode showed her screwing up and naively following false leads (really? an anonymous tip and a guy yelling at you are "evidence"?) I was also prepared to believe that she was just not that good at her job. Read more

Thanks, Lauren, for helping us so much with bringing the site back up this weekend! Read more

Person of Interest recap coming tomorrow! Read more

Would love to include those if you can find me links. Read more

Take cover, NYC!

Yeah I liked how they made sure to include random sex in the trailer. Because aliens! Read more

Basically it was equivalent to Obama saying we would research chemtrails. Saying there's any scientific legitimacy to conspiracy theories about vaccines is terrifyingly awful and definitely facepalm worthy. Read more

Mine too. Read more

Nicely done! Read more

Ha! I love that the wings have become a mustache! Read more

There's nothing prettier or more decorative than a nice winged penis. I hope this leads to a line of contemporary jewelry. Read more

Haha — this was an INTRODUCTION to fanwank, not the graduate level course. But we did cover trigger warnings, and plagiarism. There was also a lot of stuff that wound up on the cutting room floor that got into some seriously bizarre shit. Read more

Why do you guys have to be so eloquent and persuasive in defending this episode? I'm starting to rethink my rant. Read more

Is it really whiter than other networks? I feel like all network TV is mostly Whitey McWhiterson. Read more

Um no not at all. You should watch the show. Our goal was to give people a quick primer about some of the terms used in online fandom, as well as some of the issues that are important in fandom. Nobody is accused of being mental (even though Esther and I are actually quite mad). Read more

I have to be honest. I have never heard this urban legend. But I thoroughly approve of taking a scientific approach to this question, even if nobody had ever asked it. Read more