Articles from May, 2009

The Rambling American: Pardon My French

Locke McKenzie weighs the pros and cons cultural protectionism, as exemplified by France, and cultural openness, as seen in Germany.

The History of Emoxygen

Nick Martens reveals the amazing true story behind a miraculous tool used in the production of reality television.

Notes from Nowhere

Hudson Hongo digs up some obscure documents.

Editor’s Note: A Bureaucratic Party

The Bygone Bureau Party was the social event of the year (at least here in Tacoma, WA), and we’d like to thank a few people for making it happen.

The Gulf: Windows on the World

In the final edition of The Gulf, Darryl Campbell asks, “Where do we go from here?”

Much Ado About Political Blogs

People give the political discourse on the web too much credit. Kevin Nguyen argues that political blogs have many of the same limitations of traditional media.

“That Unquenchable Desire for Art”: An Interview with John Vanderslice

Caitlin Boersma talks to San Francisco-based musician John Vanderslice about domestication, the music biz, Twitter, and being one of the first mp3 bloggers.

The Rambling American: The (Dis)order Within

Locke McKenzie questions stereotypes of the German people and the country’s cultural awareness.

Reading “2666″: The Part About the Crimes

Kevin Nguyen explores the literary purpose behind Bolaño’s brutal depictions of murder.

London Scrawling: The World’s Game

America may love sports, but David Tveite observes that there’s nothing in the States like Britain’s adoration for soccer.

My Favorite Things, May 2009

In the tradition of Barbra Streisand (WTF?), the Bureau Staff talks about what they’ve been into lately.