Some news: I’m starting a new job as a co-host of MSNBC’s “The Cycle,” which airs daily at 3pm ET. Word!
Thanks to Toure, Krystal Ball and S.E. Cupp for having me at the table. Yes, those are their real names.
I think it’s safe to say that it was Ari’s stint as a correspondent for Tumblr that sealed the deal here, don’t you?
David Bianculli on the new Netflix series House of Cards:
It is, to Netflix, what The Sopranos was to HBO, what The Shield was to FX, what Mad Men was to AMC. It’s an identity-maker, and a game-changer.
He also says it’s “the best TV series about American politics since The West Wing.” The trailer did not get me excited but now MY EXPECTATIONS ARE THROUGH THE ROOF. I hope you’re not lying to me, Bianculli.
How Will the Animated GIF Affect the Presidential Election? from PBS’ Idea Channel
EXACTLY.
TUMBLR LIVE-GIFS THE DEBATE: NOW ON LIVESTREAM
If our live-GIF coverage of tonight’s presidential debate isn’t enough for you, and you’re not afraid of getting incepted by an infinite meta-blog video loop, then rejoice! The frantic GIF-wizardry originating from Tumblr HQ and appearing in “real” “time” on Gifwich will itself be captured and broadcast via Livestream! Not sure what the next level is after that but I’m sure we’ll hear about it from someone — from the future.
I am now watching the debate on TV, the live stream of our GIF-fest on Livestream, the GIFs themselves on GIFwich.tumblr.com, The Guardian’s commentary on election.tumblr.com, and trying to follow twitter etc also. What is that, 5 screens? I’m already exhausted.
Dear Mr. Lehrer, Please ask the candidates about climate change
This Can’t Actually Be the Official Logo, Right?! A Designer’s Guide to Political Convention Design.
Hey! Tag Savage here, Tumblr election correspondent and graphic designer by trade. I spent the last two weeks researching the visual and logistic aspects of the conventions, interviewing design consultants, chatting with locals, taking it all in. Here now: a guide to the logos, scenes, and set designs of both the DNC and RNC — and my grades for how the respective parties stack up.
Logos:
Democrats
The logo for the Democratic National Convention is flawed in frank and obvious ways. At even a small distance its figures blur into a jammy smudge.
These figures, these silhouettes, why are they so precisely drawn? You can make out the thick-rimmed glasses on figure number two, you can see the flyaway hairs on number five. Number one looks to be Bill Nye, whose appearance here lends scientific credibility to the Obama campaign.
I suppose the idea is that the Democratic coalition is a diverse one, and this loopy level of detail makes that diversity fairly apparent without having to actually spell it out, or to reduce it to potentially offensive stereotypes. So, on a certain strategic level, it “works.” Also, the circle is kinda pretty.
But still: there’s no getting around the smudge. Nor the Pepsi-ness. Walking around the arena halls one couldn’t help but suspect that Pepsi sponsored this whole affair. Pepsi did not.
Logo Grade: B–
Tag’s feature was worth the wait! Read on to find out how a designer and political outsider grades the US political parties up on logo design, set design, and host cities at their Conventions.
“Patinkin only recently began opening up in interviews about that departure. “The biggest public mistake I ever made was that I chose to do Criminal Minds in the first place,” he says. “I thought it was something very different. I never thought they were going to kill and rape all these women every night, every day, week after week, year after year. It was very destructive to my soul and my personality. After that, I didn’t think I would get to work in television again.” Even though Homeland has its own share of violence, Patinkin sees its message as antithetical to shows like Criminal Minds. “I’m not making a judgment on the taste [of people who watch crime procedurals],” he says. “But I’m concerned about the effect it has. Audiences all over the world use this programming as their bedtime story. This isn’t what you need to be dreaming about. A show like Homeland is the antidote. It asks why there’s a need for violence in the first place.
Mandy Patinkin on Season Two of ‘Homeland’ — New York Magazine (via aminatou)
Amen, Mandy. I <3 Homeland, and Mandy Patinkin is one of the reasons why. Can’t wait for the new season to start!
(via aminatou)
There’s Always Money In The Banana Stand, An Arrested Development Tribute Art Show
OMG yes - LA friends, who’s coming with me??
“You can’t just add twitter and water and watch democracy grow.
Peter Fein at #PDF12 on why Democracy is obsolete, why Adhocracy is like sex (because “you don’t really know what it’s like until you do it”), and why politics is no longer left vs. right - it’s Internet vs. TV. Provocative stuff!
Twitter