Author: James Porter
James Porter
James writes about culture at the edge of what's mainstream — the films, shows, and ideas that haven't been explained to death yet.
In 1988, Scorsese’s *The Last Temptation of Christ* became the test case for a new conservative playbook — one that still shapes culture wars today.
Julia Alvarez joins Kevin Young on The New Yorker’s poetry podcast to read Judy Page Heitzman’s poem and her own “Mami at Her Vanity.”
Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical “Magnifica Humanitas” argues moral concerns must lead AI development — not profit, efficiency, or competitive advantage.
The U.S. nears an Iran deal, but Tehran’s Hormuz leverage has only strengthened hard-liners. Any agreement will likely fall short of what maximum pressure promised.
Local newsletters like Brooklyn’s “Boerum Bulletin” and LA’s “Eastside Rag” offer hyper-local coverage that social media algorithms systematically ignore, creating sustainable micro-media businesses.
Anthony Wilson’s “Mawmaw” photography series documents West Virginia grandmothers who become full-time parents to their grandchildren after family tragedies.
Celebrity chefs are partnering with independent bookstores to create hybrid dining spaces, transforming literary venues into culinary destinations.
Book clubs are ditching coffee shops for escape rooms with literary themes, creating immersive experiences that blend puzzle-solving with story analysis.
Millennials are ditching traditional gyms for dance studios, seeking community, creativity, and mental health benefits that treadmills can’t provide.
Art museums nationwide are launching overnight writing retreats, giving authors exclusive after-hours access to galleries for creative inspiration.