Usually I try to provide information, analysis and criticism whenever I post, but I think this one’s worth posting all on its own:
“The California Supreme Court overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage,” ruling that “domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage.”
It’s no mission accomplished, but it’s a strong step forward for social progress and queer rights.
2 Comments | 
American Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged: california, gay marriage | 
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Posted by Gordon Levine
The good news: the divorce rate in America is falling. From its peak at 5.8 divorces per 1000 people in 1983, the divorce rate has gradually fallen to its most recent recorded statistic at 3.6 per 1000 in 2005.
The bad news: 66% of marriages don’t survive to see their 25th anniversary. You might think that statistic has to do with the mortality rate, but no: given that the American median marriage age is 26, a couple celebrating their 25th anniversary is likely to be in their early fifties — young enough that death hasn’t caught up yet.
With people likely to live dramatically longer this century, the way we think of marriage will have to change. No more “’til death do us part.” Soon enough, we’ll have to face the truth: that nothing — not even marriage — lasts forever.
1 Comment | Love and sex | Tagged: death, divorce, marriage | Permalink
Posted by Gordon Levine
“Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle was great.”
You heard it a lot when it came out in 2004. You’ve heard it a lot recently, since the sequel came out last Friday. You’ve probably thought it a few times yourself — like, “Harold and Kumar was great.”
Not to step on your toes, but what you probably meant was that Harold and Kumar was awesome. And it was! Not only did it do everything right, like Freakshow and the cheetah scene, it went above and beyond the call of duty to include Neil Patrick Harris. There’s almost nothing to improve on. It was just that good.
Great, though — that’s saying something else. The Godfather (part 1) was great. Catcher in the Rye was great. Hell, Great Expectations was great. Great works of fiction are timeless classics, and they aren’t easy to spot when they’ve just come out. Mostly, history decides what’s great and isn’t.
Not this time, though. I’m calling it early: Harold and Kumar, like Arthur and Lancelot before them, will be remembered as truly great.
2 Comments | Critical Theory, Popular Media | Tagged: harold and kumar go to white castle, neil patrick harris, teleology, teleonomy, king arthur, thomas malory, the holy grail | Permalink
Posted by Gordon Levine
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