[LINK] "The Microstate Experience: Very Small States in the International System"

UPEI professor Barry Bartmann's essay "The Microstate Experience: Very Small States in the International System" is a long and detailed examination of the way in which microstates in general--often island states--are making their way in a rules-bound international system that encourages their survival, with the economies achieved by alliances with larger states or with their neighbours allowing them to be economically viable. If you've some time to spare, Bartmann will show you why ours is another era of the microstate (ajnovak?).

[MUSIC] A Misapplication of Björk's "Army of Me"

I remain a devoted fan of Björk, and I continue to think that "Army of Me" is perhaps her best track with its fat wavering synth line anchoring her raspy vocals, and with that Michel Gondry music video as a bonus. Even so, it remains true that her decision to fund tsunami relief in the Indian Ocean basin by launching the album Army of Me: Remixes and Covers remains questionable, since quite apart from the album's questionable artistic merit the lyrics aren't exactly sympathetic ("Stand up/You’ve got to manage/I won’t sympathize/Anymore," "You’re alright/There’s nothing wrong/Self-sufficience please!/And get to work").

[URBAN NOTE] Freedom of Speech on the TTC

While the subway car was winding its way westward to home with its kind, I looked at the graffiti inscribed in blue marker on the translucent illuminated advertising panel across from my seat.

www.wantstobemorepower
fulthangod.com

fuck you bush

The high level of public discourse in contemporary North America never fails to disturb me.

[NON BLOG] Publicity

I'd like to thank trapezebear for calling my attention to Bay Windows's review of Bi Men: Coming Out Every Which Way, a rather good anthology edited by himself and Ron Suresha. The reviewer writes that "[s]tandout essays include "Learning to Look at Bisexuality," a highly personal essay ultimately directed at everyone[.]"

That one's mine, folks.

(You noticed the Amazon.ca link above, right?)

[MUSIC] Björk, "Army of Me"

In case my previous post left you in any doubt, I rather like "Army of Me." Look, I'm listening to the live version she performed on Top of the Pops in 1995 with Skunk Anansie.

Below, incidentally, the irreplaceable aletharch does us a service by pointing out that "Army of Me" might not be such a bad song for disaster relief after all.

[LINK] Pride goeth before the fall

I owe nhw, something, for pointing me to rparvaaz's takedown of Ibn Warraq's "Democracy in a Cartoon" in the English-language edition of Der Spiegel. Briefly put, Warraq argues that Westerners should feel more-or-less unqualified pride in the accomplishments of their civilization. rparvaaz points out, drawing specific reference to India's experience, that this is not only foolish but pride. Oh when do we become historically literate?