Essay
Tattoos and medicine may seem an unlikely pairing, but medical tattoos are nothing new. Religious tattoos of ancient Egyptians honored the gods and, possibly, directed divine healing to ailing body …
Democracy Local
Want to join the global fight against authoritarianism?
Then participate in your community’s local government.
Because authoritarians do not teleport fully formed from Jupiter into the leadership of nations. They have to …
Essay
A man leaps into the air. The theater audience gasps, then relaxes as he safely lands. Jan Karski—scholar, diplomat, World War II Polish Resistance fighter, and the messenger who brought …
The Takeaway
Fittingly, the Zócalo/ASU Gammage event “What Can We Laugh About?” last night opened with a joke from Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano, who was moderating: “Knock knock.”
The prompt audience …
Essay
One of Shakespeare’s conceits is the wisdom of clowns. From Feste in Twelfth Night to the Fool in King Lear, they speak truth to power, but tell it slant and …
Essay
A joke can be the best way to present real-life issues. Comedians can poke fun at the absurdity of the human condition, even take on topics that feel taboo—like America’s …
Connecting California
I went to Petaluma to learn what might become of the world’s ugliest dogs. The Sonoma County city also showed me the future of California democracy.
That future arrived with an …
Essay
If the British monarchy is to survive, it needs someone who is as bland as Queen Elizabeth II.
You would look in vain for any controversial statements made by the queen …
In the Green Room
