Apocrypha In Philadelphia

Zeitoun

Adam Matvya — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 03:21:22 +0000

Just the other day, I had a compelling discussion with some co-workers on the writings of Dave Eggers. They had argued that, along with a blatant agenda, Eggers had been subject to a kind of hipster aesthetic. This association had apparently deterred both of them from reading anything Eggers has contributed to. While I would never disavow the fact that he has accepted his role as a myrmidon of hipster culture, I do not think such an
identification makes anything Eggers writes less impressive.

His latest book, Zeitoun, is no less disturbing than his previous work, What is the What. It is a powerful indictment of Bush-era politics. And I dare say, to the pundits of Mr. Eggers (yes you, Jeff and Tony) that Eggers’ journalism never seems to fail to deliver in a world willing to overlook tragedies for the sake of its own convenience.

And so I leave this notion up to you. Is Eggers crippled by a connection to a particular subculture? Is his humanity, as both a novelist and journalist, undermined by such an identification? If so, we must say the same for David Foster Wallace, Kurt Vonnegut, and any other literary figure who at some point had been thrust into the hipster bracket.

Ambivalence vs. Persistence

Adam Matvya — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:50:25 +0000

As many already know, the Senate-proposed health care bill is weak but not defected. As Paul Krugman acknowledged in Friday’s Op-Ed, the Senate health bill would be the biggest expansion of the social safety net since Medicare. It eliminates discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, provides aid to individuals not offered insurance by their employers, and avoids taxable benefits, a feature hallmarked by the Swedish system. The proposed bill should greatly improve the lives of millions of Americans, and after all, is that not what we want?

I nonetheless condone the lamentations of all those Democrats outraged at Obama’s accommodations. The lack of a single-payer system is something I may not get over until…well, whenever it’s implemented. I’m willing to overlook the obstructionism of the right for now, for the simple reason that Democrats have retained control over the Senate; the Democratic Party’s failure to deliver is simply inexcusable, and something I still cannot fathom. I may hope the future of this administration is more persistent on its goals; my patience over such accommodations is sure to run out.

Fight Against the Al-Qaeda ‘Cancer’

Adam Matvya — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:53:54 +0000

Just moments ago President Obama delivered a speech at the West Point Academy in New York, in which he revealed his plans to deploy an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. The president asserted that “Afghanistan is not lost, but for several years it has moved backward.” He furthermore called on America allies to increase their own deployment.

This is a significant moment for the Obama administration, one which I fear will cost him re-election in 2012. We’re fighting an unachievable war in a land that hosts fewer than 100 Al-Qaeda members (this according to National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones). I suspect that no matter what we do in Afghanistan, nothing can prevent Al-Qaeda from formulating in Pakistan. As an American taxpayer I much prefer to support a universal healthcare system, educational programs, climate technologies, etc.

I implore you Mr. Obama to re-prioritize. You have created a lacuna within the Democratic Party that just may define your presidency.

God Is In The House

Adam Matvya — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:28:59 +0000

The story goes, Art Tatum walked into a Manhattan club where Fats Waller was playing. Waller stepped away from his piano and announced, “I only play the piano, but tonight God is in the house.”

A Sailor’s Applause

Adam Matvya — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:27:56 +0000

An article from NPR depicting overwhelming support from the service members at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. President Obama’s decision to delay troop deployment in Afghanistan has been criticized by the right, most notably former Vice President Cheney who accused the president of “dithering” on the decision. I can only hope the applause Obama received on Monday reassures him that his precautions are necessary, and that perhaps sending 40,000 more troops to win an unachievable war could be an administration-ruining decision.

Where the Wild Things Are

Adam Matvya — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 04:31:21 +0000

I hasten to clarify that Where the Wild Things Are is not what some wanted to call feel-good family entertainment. I find it astounding that several critics have pinpointed the surliness of the monsters to be a weakness of the movie. Sendek’s original 1963 book, though now critically acclaimed, was at the time the center of a lot of controversy for his grotesque portrayal of the monsters. There’s an air of melancholy in the movie that is sure to divide audiences. And interpretations of the book vary, even to this day. But viewers should be assured that the imaginative chaos that ensues out of Max’s loneliness is impermanent. His flight of fancy comes to an end by his belief of parental love. As TIME magazine asserted four and a half decades ago, Where the Wild Things Are is the perfect balance for the “seesaw of fear and comfort.” In watching this movie, I have arrived at two realizations. For one, Spike Jonze is a true artist. The simplicity and pureness is outright inspiring. But also, I truly hope I never become the kind of person that is unable to enjoy a movie like this.

Cassandra Syndromes

Adam Matvya — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:01:14 +0000

In Greek mythology, Cassandra was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, who was instantly enraptured by her beauty. But when she failed to return his love, he cursed her with an inability to get anyone to believe her prophecies. In an Op-ed recently published in the New York Times Paul Krugman likens climate change warnings to the ill-fated Cassandra, as many ring-wingers are failing to accept what leading researchers so vehemently assert: climate change is real.

Krugman emphasizes that this crisis, though particularly daunting, can be amended in public policy. What the Obama administration does about this issue is to be seen. And there is an immense amount of pressure streaming in from both political sides. But what Mr. Obama needs to do, is scratch the bi-partisanship, give “politics as usual” one long, black middle finger and help restore our environment before the macabre sings his song.

Postcards from Romania

Adam Matvya — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:21:40 +0000

Perhaps it’s my newly found affection for my Central European roots, or the grandiosity with which Beirut and their Balkan ensemble grace my ears with, but whatever the case may be, it is undoubtedly certain that I’ve found a passion for Romanian film. Like many streetwise Cannes winners, 12:08 East of Bucharest (which I unfortunately delayed watching for two years now) depicts the kind of satire that I can’t recall seeing in a film. It’s not simply a melancholy rumination of failed Eastern European communism, but a hilarious insight into a very depressing time. But this isn’t a movie review, so I’ll spare you my bias. What’s more poignant to note here is what many have labeled the Romanian new wave.

I get the realism. I get the hand-held camerawork. And I get the long takes. These are just a few of the characteristics of modern Romanian cinema that I’ve noticed. But it’s tremendously interesting to watch this cinematic breakthrough unfold, especially as my interest in Central and Eastern Europe augments with every new Beirut single and Milan Kundera novel. I’ll redirect you to AO Scott’s video podcast of five different Romanian movies that should reflect everything I just mentioned.

The Death of Mr. Lazarescu – quite simply, an indictment of an indifferent healthcare system. But also reflective of what we struggle with here in the States; therefore making this film very pertinent to America’s rash dismissal of a univsersal health system.

4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days – perhaps the most succesful of Romanian new wave, if one wishes to go with the label, and beautifully sentimental and melancholy. This film is about more than what the plot aspires. It’s remarkable acumen of societal life in pre-Velvet times makes this worthy both artfully and culturally.

12:08 East of Bucharest – satirical evidence that the Romanian revolution of 1989 really occured (not that any moron wouldn’t acknowledge this, I’m just sayin’). Very minimilistic and incisive, you should enjoy this whether you posses my dry sense of humor or not.

The remaining two I have yet to watch. But am greatly intrigued.

The Paper Will Be Blue

California Dreamin’

Whatever your opinion of international film, it appears Romanian cinema is rising and that is not to be disputed. Three of those five films previously listed, I enjoyed thoroughly. This so-called new wave of art in Romania is just enhancing my already all-consuming love for all-things Central European. Bad news for my parents, I suppose. My desire to expatriate only greatens with these craftful films. Lord how I want to see A Hawk and a Hacksaw on the Charles Bridge.

For the Love of the Accordion,

Adam Matvya — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:07:26 +0000

Winner of a “Best Picture” award at the Albuquerque Film Festival. albuquerquefilmfestival.org/

This is a well-crafted film, and is as Romany and creative as they come.

more about “A HAWK AND A HACKSAW: Housle (Prague,…“, posted with vodpod

The Value of Education

Adam Matvya — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:20:20 +0000

From the Times:

In a Room for Debate forum in June on the value of liberal arts master’s degrees, one group of readers — teachers and education administrators — generally agreed a higher degree was well worth the investment. They pointed out that pay and promotion in public schools were tied to the accumulation of such credentials and credits, specifically from colleges of educationShould the public schools reduce the weight they give to education school credentials in pay and promotion decisions?

But current teacher training has a large chorus of critics, including prominent professors in education schools themselves. For example, the director of teacher education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Katherine Merseth, told a conference in March that of the nation’s 1,300 graduate teacher training programs, only about 100 were doing a competent job and “the others could be shut down tomorrow.” And Obama administration officials support a shift away from using master’s degrees for pay raises, and a shift toward compensating teachers based on children’s performance.

Should the public schools reduce the weight they give to education school credentials in pay and promotion decisions? Is this happening already, and, if so, what is replacing the traditional system for compensating teachers?

My personal opinion is that teachers should be compensated, above all, by children’s performances. The pedagogy learned from education courses are, to some extent, valuable; but there remain many other factors in determining the success of American educators. As Patrick Welsh stated in the online debate, mind-numbing education programs are so highly appraised, that they prevent the brightest, most dynamic and creative people from entering the field; when in all actuality, the schools filled with such mediocrity, are depriving children of the education they deserve.