Good morning. It's Saturday, May 23. Welcome to this week's Society & Culture newsletter. First time reading? Sign up here or click here to share with friends. |
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"The Mandalorian and Grogu," the latest addition to the "Star Wars" universe, was released yesterday, so we're digging into the history and impact of the enduringly popular science fiction franchise. Then, we explore the life and work of American artist Mary Cassatt in honor of her birthday, which was also yesterday. Finally, we dig into the world of NASCAR in preparation for tomorrow's Coca-Cola 600 race.
How are we doing? What are you enjoying? What could you do without? I'm all ears! Drop me a line by hitting "reply" on this email. Looking forward to hearing from you.
—Kevin Kearney, 1440 Society & Culture Section Editor |
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In A Galaxy Far, Far Away |
'Star Wars,' 101
"Star Wars" is a science fiction franchise that began with the 1977 film of the same name, later retitled "A New Hope." In the nearly 50 years since that film's release, "Star Wars" has become a multibillion-dollar brand encompassing theatrical films, television series, toys, books, and various other media.
George Lucas' first attempt at a science fiction film, the dystopian "THX 1138," was a commercial flop. By contrast, the screenwriter and director conceived "Star Wars" as a space opera—an optimistic, interplanetary adventure tale—largely out of step with the popular culture of the time. Despite low expectations, the movie grew into a massive hit, inspiring Hollywood to produce more science fiction in the same mold. (Hear about the film's long road to success.)
Eight additional "Star Wars" films—released as three trilogies that made up a larger "Skywalker Saga"—built an elaborate fictional universe, experimented with innovative technology, and continued to yield big box-office numbers, even as critics and fans sometimes debated their artistic merit.
... Explore everything else we learned about "Star Wars."
Also, check out ...
> The 1977 disco album inspired by "Star Wars." (Listen)
> Before James Earl Jones provided the voice of Darth Vader, the character had a less-than-terrifying presence. (Watch)
> 1978's "Star Wars Holiday Special" was so widely panned that it became a cult classic. (Watch)
> Why famous mythologist Joseph Campbell loved "Star Wars." (Watch) |
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A beginner's guide to Mary Cassatt
Mary Stevenson Cassatt was an American artist known for her domestic portraits, often of women and their daughters, and for being the lone American associated with the French Impressionists. (View a collection of her work.)
Cassatt was born in what is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and started art school in Philadelphia at the age of 15. Frustrated by the school's limitations for female artists, she dropped out and eventually moved to Paris, where she met Edgar Degas and fell in with the budding Impressionist movement. Her painting "Little Girl in a Blue Armchair" was the first of her paintings to be shown at one of the group's exhibitions. (Watch two art historians analyze the painting.)
Cassatt would go on to experiment with printmaking and subtle political statements. She also introduced American collectors to the Impressionists, effectively cementing the movement's place in art history. Today, she's widely considered an integral American artist.
... Explore everything else we learned about Mary Cassatt.
Also, check out ...
> How Japanese printmaking influenced Cassatt. (Watch)
> The sly political commentary of "Mother and Child." (Read)
> Exploring Cassatt's sister's influence on the painter. (Read)
> The strange disappearance of Cassatt's World's Fair mural. (Read) |
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If You're Not First, You're Last |
A brief introduction to NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR, sanctions and produces the highest level of stock car racing in North America. It operates four championship series in the US and four outside it.
NASCAR's roots run back to Prohibition, when bootleggers used runners to deliver their illegal alcohol to customers. Eventually, runners began organizing informal races against one another, drawing crowds and prize money. In 1936, Daytona Beach organized the first stock car race on a course just over three miles, with half of it on the beach. In 1948, driver Bill France founded NASCAR.
Tomorrow's Coca-Cola 600, a 600-mile race in Concord, North Carolina, is the second of this year's four "Crown Jewel" races. Katherine Legge will spend the day attempting to complete "double duty" by racing both the Coca-Cola 600 and the Indianapolis 500. Only five other drivers have ever attempted the feat; Legge will be the first woman to do so. (Learn more about the attempt.)
... Explore everything else we learned about NASCAR.
Also, check out ...
> How World War II innovations advanced racing. (Watch)
> The intricate team dynamics of the pit crew. (Watch)
> How the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr., changed the sport. (Read)
> The evolution of NASCAR's championship trophy. (Watch) |
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Beyond our weekly deep dives, we love finding great takes on the culture currently shaping our lives. Here are some of the best reactions, profiles, and think pieces we encountered this week.
> The 100 Best Novels of All Time
The Guardian | Various. Is ranking art a bit silly? Sure! But, hey, at least this list includes the ballots of some interesting writers, like Jennifer Egan, Geoff Dyer, and Elif Batuman. If nothing else, it's good fodder for your next trip to the library. (Read | More on The Novel)
> Broadway's Fake News
NY Times | Jesse Green. Green highlights several plays that might appear to be nonfiction but fall short of the genre's technical definition. Still, he thinks in the age of deepfakes and AI slop, audiences are interested in work that feels like the truth, even if it's consciously fabricated. (Read | More on Broadway)
> I Just Wasn't Made for These Times
Paste | Hanif Abdurraqib. The Beach Boys' landmark album "Pet Sounds" turned 60 last week, and Abdurraqib, one of the country's best music writers, marks the occasion with an essay on one of the record's best tracks. (Read)
> Christopher Nolan Has Been Dreaming of 'The Odyssey'
Time | Eliana Dockterman. The "Oppenheimer" director's take on Homer's epic might be the most anticipated movie of the summer. Dockterman's profile of Nolan explores how he's become a Hollywood rarity: a director who balances box-office numbers and critical acclaim. (Read)
> Beat the Buffet
Longreads | Adam Dalva. After quieting a lifetime of "food noise" with months of Ozempic, Dalva visits a Brazilian steakhouse to see if the shot prevents him from indulging in the familiar psychological comforts of an all-you-can-eat meal. (Read) |
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