Cormac McCarthy’s The Counselor
Cormac McCarthy’s novels have made some pretty great films - think, No Country for Old Men and Javier Bardem’s eerie villain. Now, he’s written his first screenplay, The Counselor. The film is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and Michael Fassbender. The trailer is below.
Jonathan Franzen hates on Twitter and Apple, loves Karl Kraus and PCs
In case you missed it, Jonathan Franzen published a long, ranty, reflective essay drawing on the works of German philosopher Karl Kraus - and using them to mount his case against modernity and the technological revolution. Some have called it prescient, others sublimely ridiculous. It just might be somewhere in the middle. Have a read and make up your own mind.
The man heading ‘the next great women’s publication’
Tony Abbott’s position as the man responsible for women’s affairs wouldn’t seem too incongruous to one man profiled in the New Yorker this week. Internet entrepreneur Bryan Goldberg made his fortune with Bleacher Report, a sports website generated by fans that was known (much) more for its quantity than its quality, but generated phenomenal traffic. Now, he’s heading up ‘the next great women’s publication’, Bustle, along the same model, much to the amusement and annoyance of many women’s publications. Lizzi Widdicome’s profile is fascinating and terrifying - is this the future of media?
Does Jamie Oliver understand ‘modern-day poverty’?
Shakira Hussein questions Jamie Oliver’s credibility on the topic of ‘modern-day poverty’ and eating choices in New Matilda, and shows that some ‘budget’ options are less cheap and easy than they seem at first glance. (For example, stale white bread only works well in cooking if it’s good quality – read, expensive – in the first place.)
Low-income families are short of more than just cash. Their limited incomes are often the product of poor health (a fact overlooked by those who scold them for allowing damaging their health with poor dietary choices). Even those who are in basically sound health become drained of energy by the sheer hard work of making-do. It’s a viscous [sic] circle that quickly descends into a downward spiral.
Why writing job ads can be depressing
Want to be paid $150 to write 100 articles per week? Is speed of completion your priority? Does the phrase ‘I am NOT looking for carefully crafted, well-researched articles’ appeal to you as a writer? If so, you might want to check out this ‘opportunity’. Or, you know, NOT …