How is everyone’s weekend going? When I’m done writing this, I’m heading into downtown Chicago to attend Day 3 of Lollapalooza.
Having attended #Lolla probably 10 or a dozen times, this year feels like a re-birth.
I’m packing sunscreen, adult beverages and my vaccination card.
#Lolla is one of the main reasons I got vaccinated. I knew they’d require it for entry. I have no issues providing my card (easily forged…mine is authentic) to gain access to a privately-controlled music festival. If I did have a problem with it, I’d just not go.
That’s how it should be everywhere; with the vaccine, with COVID-19 testing and with masking. Personal choice.
But we are sliding back to dictatorial rule, government desirous to keep Americans on a tight leach.
That’s why events like Lollapalooza matter more now than ever. The festival represents a National Holiday, a recess from the tyrannous actions from Washington this past week.
I’m about to jump into the maskless playground to have some fun.
Let’s proceed with the Six.
A crazy week in the world of Covid; with the CDC reversal on masking and schools all over the country adopting the guidance. Coming down the pipeline…a a vaccine approval by the FDA. Jordan Schachtel, who writes the excellent newsletter, The Dossier, breaks down what an FDA approval would mean for the Democrats and their ability to enforce more of a lockdown agenda.
Simone Biles Said She Got The Twisties.
By now everyone knows the Olympics are happening, right? I watched a little bit this past week, but not a ton. Will probably tune in more this week for track and field. But the games themselves were hijacked by the Simone Biles controversy. Did she quit? (yes) Should we treat it as some moral triumph? (no) Does she deserve our compassion for how she handled her nervous breakdown under the bright lights of an audience of millions? (yes) Biles story goes beyond sports as of course, it became weaponized in the Culture Wars. The Washington Post takes a look at what happened with Biles in Tokyo.
Rebuilding the Illinois Republicans.
In 1996, the Land of Lincoln was controlled by the Republican Party. The GOP controlled the full legislature and and every constitutional office (the governor then was Jim Edgar, a Republican.) In a quarter century, that majority has completely been erased and turned over to the Democrats. With 2022 marking another election cycle, can the GOP in Illinois gain any traction? Chicago magazine examines.
Forty years ago, there weren’t many outlets for “debate” type shows. Cable television wasn’t as ubiquitous as it is now and people talking (or screaming) at each other through split screens is a staple of our viewing culture. Before Stephen A. Smith, Skip Bayless and Tucker Carlson, there were Gene and Roger. The film critics of the Chicago Tribune (Gene Siskel) and Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert), created debate television we know it with their PBS show, “Sneak Previews” which later became “Siskel & Ebert.” The Ringer is doing a podcast series on Siskel and Ebert titled the “Gene and Roger Show” which takes a look at the cultural legacy of the duo decades after their heyday.
France Gave Teenagers $350 For Culture. Guess What They Are Doing With It.
The French government launched a smartphone app and gave 18-year-olds an allowance of euros to buy whatever they wanted under the loose category of “culture.” Young people could buy books, tickets and classes using the government smartphone app. But what they found out is rather than using the allowance to discover highbrow arts, many are choosing the mass media they already consume. Like comic books and video games. An fascinating read from the NY Times.
Thank you Rolling Stone for putting together this online photo album from #Lolla. I dig the crowd shots of maskless fans…hope you do as well.
Have a great rest of your weekend everybody. Thanks for reading as always.
Have a suggestion for the Sunday Six? Send email to jon@jonjkerr.com