The Conversation
The Prohibition-Era Origins of the Modern Craft Cocktail Movement
During Prohibition, something needed to be done to mask the taste of bootleg alcohol that could include ingredients ranging from dead rats to wood tar.
‘BlacKkKlansman’ – A Deadly Serious Comedy
BlacKkKlansman is more than a good story: it expertly weaves together comedy with serious drama to bring the story of past racism to illuminate our present day issues.
How Aretha Franklin Found Her Voice
When record executives tried to mold Aretha Franklin's sound to their liking, her career sputtered. Then legendary producer Jerry Wexler came along. His approach? Stay out of her way.
Aretha Franklin: Sublime Soul Diva Whose Voice Inspired the Civil Rights Movement
Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul', was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her voice inspired the civil rights movement.
‘The Meg’ Is a Horror Story But Our Treatment of Sharks Is Scarier
The latest scary shark film, The Meg, opens this week. But fictionalised tales of monster fish blind us to the important role sharks play in maintaining the health of our oceans.
Some People Aren’t Happy With the Roy Orbison Hologram ‘Ghost’ Tour
Critics say hologram tours exploit the dead for a quick buck. But there's something about Roy Orbison's ethereal mystique that makes this one a particularly fitting tribute.
White People Should Never Rap the N-Word: A Linguist Breaks It Down
Kendrick Lamar brought a white fan, identified only as Delaney, on to stage to rap with him. And she sang the n-word. A linguist explains why that was wrong.
