You will either consider this a compelling study in regional culinary folkways or the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen. Actually, you can make a case for both. Either way, my arteries hardened just watching it.

‘Greater New York’ by the Numbers

by Graham T. Beck

In order to really remember anything about an exhibition as big as ‘Greater New York’, you have to forget a lot of it. Though this third iteration of PS1’s quinquennial survey is smaller than ever before, it still features 68 up-and-coming New Yorkers spread over four floors. To write a review of all that, you have to forget even more. Attention spans can’t accommodate that many artists nor that much art, and neither can word counts or column inches or casual readers.

For museum visitors this means walking away from big surveys with a few works in mind, maybe an artist’s name, and a general impression: Dude, there’s a ton of dance.

For the readers of reviews it means a few details about a handful of artists, one long list of themes, and a briefly reasoned conjecture about the medium of the moment. The Times said performance art; New York Magazine went with collage; the Village Voice claimed it was video and installation.

They’re all wrong.

Instead of reviewing this year’s ‘Greater New York,’ I made a spreadsheet that listed every artist alphabetically with columns for medium used, major features and pronounced themes. As I went through the show I made notes in each of the resulting cells. Some of the contributors ended up with a few words in each, while others didn’t have any. The resulting tag cloud, though not scientifically perfect, has a much better memory and a less biased recall than your average review.

As you can see, once again, it was photography that dominated the show-followed by video and sculpture, and installation, with drawing and painting and collage bringing up the rear, as it were. Notable themes included “portraiture,” “humor,” “sex,” “race,” “violence”-and “lesbians.” Down low: “plants” and “the city.” And “serial killers.”

Maybe you find this sort of thing interesting. Maybe I can carve out a lucrative art-statistics niche? Maybe Nate Silver wants to dust off his TI-82 and battle me in Drugwars?

Graham T. Beck writes about art, cities, the environment and his problems.

“Oh, you guys have seen this already? I can see why you’d skip the event then.”
–Rather delightful comment on Gizmodo’s liveblog of other people attending Apple’s iPhone announcement today. (It’s only funny if you remember, somehow, even though it was like a million years ago, that Gizmodo and Apple are currently “at odds” and/or “criminal investigations” over Gizmodo’s maybe-dodgy acquisition of a leaked version of this new phone.)

“So wise policy, as defined by the G20 and like-minded others, consists of destroying economic recovery in order to satisfy hypothetical irrational demands from the markets — demands that economies suffer pointless pain to show their determination, demands that markets aren’t actually making, but which serious people, in their wisdom, believe that the markets will make one of these days.

Awesome.”
-I don’t think Paul Krugman believes it’s awesome at all that the deficit hawks of the G20 are calling for austerity measures while battered economies actually require further stimulus if they want to get moving again. In fact, I think he’s kind of pissed about it.

World Cup fever: Have you caught it? Yeah, the World Cup. The quadrennial contest to see which country can prove its supremacy by knocking a ball around a soccer field with its feet? Yeah, I know, soccer, but it’s kind of a big deal, and not just to intellectuals who shun other sports but claim to have an abiding interest in “the beautiful game” because it makes them seem highbrow and somehow less geeky. Anyway, this time around the thing is happening in South Africa, and America’s first match pits us against our former colonial oppressors, the English. Naturally, the two nations’ ambassadors have engaged in the kind of pathetic municipal-style wager one usually sees during championship events in sports Americans actually care about. Here’s the deal: Should England prevail, the American ambassador will spend a day cleaning the teeming refuse that has taken over entire blocks of Knifecrime Island, while being forced to listen to Fat Les’ “Vindaloo” on repeat. If the Americans win, England’s going to send us as many knives as they can afford to part with, which it turns out is not very many. Go America! Kick that ball into the ropey hole more times than the other guys do! USetc!

The video for Eminem’s new song came out over the weekend. The song is good. The rat-a-tat marching band snare seems to be a natural fit, and Em’s rapping sounds more honestly engaged than it has for a long time. The singing? I… don’t know. The melody is catchy, I find myself humming it a lot. But I’m not completely sold on his voice. Like, maybe he should have asked Dido or Stephen Tyler or Martika to hit the high notes for him. Also: he seems so very, very serious right now. His face is so tight. The song is about his recovery from drug addiction, so it makes sense; and, again, it’s good to hear him sounding focused. But here’s hoping his future material finds some room for levity, too.

“If a post mortem confirms claims by friends that he died in his sleep having choked on his own vomit he will have followed a rock ‘n’ roll tradition laid down by previous wild men of rock including John Bonham, drummer with Led Zepplin, and Keith Moon of The Who.”
–Stuart Cable, formerly of the terrible band Stereophonics, was found dead at his home this morning “after a marathon drinking session.”

The Thrillist Junket: In Their Own Words and Pictures

This weekend, Thrillist sponsored a junket of media influencers on a trip to Miami, where they stayed at the Fontainebleau. While junketeers were responsible for their own airfare, the hotel and liquor and sponsored dinners were on the house. This is a collected oral history, in chronological order, of their stories from arrival to departure.

“I landed and immediately met a bunch of great people who were ready to get it popping. We get to the hotel and instantly the Thrillist special check-in had gift bags with so much swag that as it was handed to me I think I felt my bicep rip.” –Richard Boehmcke.

“1st impression on the Fontainebleau: it’s gorge! & I’m only in the lobby.” –Anne L. Fritz

“Tips for getting on air: Blow kisses at our camera, jump into pools, & general goodnatured mayhem.” –Plum TV.

“2 days or 2 weeks worth of outfits? Ridiculous” — Amanda Schulze

“Real good look Miami #not” –Simone

“Even though its pouring at #hotelthrillist I still need to look good for the clurb! Back at the room relaxing and getting my shower on!” –Richard Boehmcke.

“Wow @MAKEUPFOREVERUS Aqua Cream held up throughout the entire Miami tropical storm today..didn’t budge. pretty amazing.” — Amanda Schulze

“I wanted to tip the guy who served me that corn it was so good.” -Richard Boehmcke.

“Mmm..Scarpetta’s duck foie gras ravioli is TDF!” –Anne L. Fritz

“Totes forgot you can smoke in clubs in Miami. Time to join the new millenium, Florida. That’s so 2000+&late.;” –Anne L. Fritz

“thx 2 @speckproducts for a fun, new iPhone case 4 #hotelthrillist swag! kudos to Scarpetta 4 delish duck & foie gras ravioli @fontainebleau” — Gizlau

“Yoga on the beach was so fun, but so sweat’n’sand-tacular! Can’t wait to keep the perspiration going all day long poolside” — Elizabeth Brady.

“Best hotel doorhanger ever.” –Kim Mance

“Total mayhem at #HotelThrillist over mistaken Shark call at the beach just now. It was a Tarpon. Dissapointing…” –Drew Lavyne

“Everyone dolled up and ready for dinner @Red steakhouse. “ –Maren Hogan

“Guy with pink blazer-women want him, men want to be him.” –Mike Smayo

“OH: ‘There is no dinner. There’s just more substantial finger food.’” –Peter Shankman

“Amazing day in the sun. Ready for some food!” — Le’Aura

“@redsteakhouse if we weren’t starving on your rooftop, I’m sure we would be having a better time.” –Anne L. Fritz

“@redsteakhouse yes. Can I now get my free steak? This food blogger is starving.” –Laura Zanzal

“@redsteakhouse sorry were getting pizza” — Ricebird

“Fire dancer just put fire out with her mouth!” –Kara Rosner

“the #klondike bars are clutch. Excellent way to satisfy the crowd. Who knew there were oreo klondikes? Sex in our mouth!” –Kosher Ham

“Where is everyone” — Kristina Marino

“HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO FIT ALL THIS #HOTELTHRILLIST SWAG IN MY LUGGAGE? AHHHHH” –Richard Boehmcke

“I forgot my iPhone charger in my room! I’m planning on sleeping on the plane anyway. Good thing a new iPhone drops Monday!” –Nick McGlynn

“Great breakfast at Gotham Steak! Thanks @hotelthrillist! As @skydiver will tell you, it’s all about the food for me. :)” –Lara Dalch

“’you were with the thrillist party? My God, you guys had it like Rehab in Vegas out here yesterday’ — fontainbleu pool staff” –Marvin Barksdale

“American airlines flight attendants got some ‘tude….and shitty service.” –Eva Deary

“Met some super amazing peeps at #hotelthrillist, theyve inspired the twitter in me. Gettin on dis train like it’s BB w inhalable steroids.” — Sean — Boom Boom

“THE #HOTELTHRILLIST PHOTOS ARE POSTED! Check them out at http://RandomNightOut.com” –Nick McGlynn

At the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee

by Jordan Carr

There was a moment, at the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee this weekend, when the stylishly-hatted 11-year-old David M. Habibi got the word “schadenfreude,” and after exclaiming “Yes!” at getting a word he knew, spelled it correctly. And then while he was walking back to his seat, pronouncer and 1980 champion Dr. Jacques Bailly all but pulled a Mean Joe Greene on young David by sneakily congratulating him, as David was walking away, on having just become a big brother.

At other points, after most spellers had been eliminated, one could look around and see fathers and sons playing along and trying to spell the words that the contestants on stage were grappling with.

If you find those moments funny or in any sort of way endearing, then spelling bees are for you. If not, you have a cold, hard heart.

HOW THE SPELLING BEE WORKS

The public Bee begins with the second and third rounds, after the surprisingly not difficult computerized round. These three rounds determine the semifinalists. Starting with round two, the speller steps forward, maybe adjusts the microphone, and then pronouncer Dr. Bailly says a word. The speller and pronouncer repeat the word at each other over and over again until the speller has it down correctly, at some points even requiring a third party to intervene and insist that the speller look at Dr. Bailly’s lips as he says the word.

After they get the pronunciation right, generally the spellers ask if there are alternate pronunciations, and Dr. Bailly either gives them or delivers his famous catchphrase: “I show just the one.”

Then the speller has the option of getting a definition, or explanation of “part of speech,” or having it used in a sentence. If the speller wants to clarify something, they are allowed to ask questions along the lines of “Is it from the Greek root ‘syn’ meaning ‘with’?” Other than that, they are on their own to figure it out.

SO UNFAIR

It is hard to imagine any contest that agitates its audience’s sense of fairness more regularly than spelling bees (the issue of Armando Galarraga excepted). The scuttlebutt around this Bee was that, due to the overlong nature of last year’s competition, this year the words would be much more difficult. And it certainly seemed they were, especially as Anamika Veeramani’s winning words were preceded by five misses (one of which, “ochidore,” elicited horrified gasps when Dr. Bailly said that ochidore’s root was unknown).

Here is an underreported subplot: Veeramani was sponsored by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, a paper whose rising fortunes in the greater Cleveland area killed off rival newspaper the Cleveland Press, which was owned by the E.W. Scripps Company, sponsors of the Bee.

And the audience was agitated even before the organizers stopped in the middle of the 6th round so that they would have enough spellers (10) for the finals to be televised on ABC. It didn’t affect the outcome, but did leave some kids hopping mad that they missed out on a chance to meet Shaq and go on ABC. Yeah, Shaq showed up.

There were a few eye rolls when a boy by the name of Christian Suarez drew “vaquero,” and a knowing groan when Elizabeth Platz drew “gnocchi” in the 7th round after the prior night’s Bee-sponsored dinner, which featured that very dish.

Other instances of their competitiveness were just adorable though, such as two-time defending Canadian champion and finalist Laura Newcombe’s patriotic declaration that “We have a lot of great spellers and it’s time the world noticed.”

HOPES AND DREAMS

But let’s move away from the competitiveness and back to the earnestness because it is oh so present. For the Bee, the kids give some information about themselves, including but not limited to all their hopes and dreams. More than one kid aspires to be a professional athlete, which seems rather unlikely to say the least, and others have hilariously mediocre sports-related role models ranging from Cole “The Next Eric Montross” Aldrich to Derek Roy to Paul Konerko (for his good sportsmanship).

Far and away, the most popular future option though, is author. So, uh, the news stays bad for you, snubbed fiction writers, because in a generation’s time we are all going to be treated to a series of syntactically flawless works and perhaps even a chapter in the 25th anniversary edition of Outliers about why Indians are so good at spelling, where we’ll learn they do it in some way other than the way that people usually become good at stuff, or something.

Also, these kids really, really love geography bees, something called Mathcounts and Legos. My God, do they ever love Legos.

DEMOGRAPHICS

There are a lot of Indian kids, and for a group that makes up fewer than 1% of the American population, they make up something close to 20% of this year’s contestants, including the winner (and, perhaps more improbably, the North Dakotan representative, a state with an Asian population that accounts for .1% of the state’s 642,200 residents). This Bee actually had more contestants named “Aditya” than “John.” I’m not going to get into why this is the case, but theories abound.

But there are other trends that receive slightly less fanfare. For example, home schooling-my favorite being the one kid who will be appearing in an all-home school production of Merchant of Venice. Also popular among the kids: Jesus! A number of contestants listed Left Behind as a favored read, but the best religious irony of the contest was when a girl who listed Ayn Rand’s We the Living as a book she likes received the word “fleuron” and got a sentence involving bishops and prayer.

IN CONCLUSION

The Scripps Bee has the winning combination of high stakes (the grand prize is worth $40,000, with $30,000 in cash, and each word spelled correctly past the semifinals is worth money) and children. Not to say that parents are pinning their hopes and an insane amount of pressure on their young children, but when winner Anamika Veeramani said the prize was “Not just for me, but for my whole family,” she is most likely being more truthful than gracious.

The kids do seem to bear a tremendous weight, but the community is also supportive of one another-last year’s runner-up Tim Ruiter received a standing ovation upon elimination-and it does not seem they are all that much less adaptable to the real world than any youngster of their age. Even the most mocked speller of all time, Rebecca Sealfon, seems to have done quite well for herself, going to Princeton and Duke and even occasionally working as-get this!-a writer.

The Bee is a gathering of well-intentioned kids who have one thing they love and can do exceptionally well. That shines through and, to the extent that this event is popular, that’s much more the function of a desire to wistfully recall our own times as lame 8th graders than, thank God and/or Ayn Rand, a sense of schadenfreude at their expense.

Jordan Carr, the editor of Fiat Lux, the blog of the Stanford Review, is one of The Awl’s summer reporters.

“While our son still has some tolerance for passive video watching on a television or mobile device, when given the choice, he almost always chooses the interactive experience. His own desire for engagement, combined with new technology that’s so easy a 1-year-old can use it, has already built strong media consumption preferences that will dramatically affect his long-term relationship with what we call ‘television.’”
-The iPad is giving parents a whole new excuse for outsourcing their children’s entertainment.