Secret Fears of the Super-Rich (The Atlantic)

The lesson that Mammon is a false or inadequate god goes back a long way, and a glossy spread in SuperYacht World is just one place to relearn it. Another is Boston College’s Center on Wealth and Philanthropy, which since 1970 has minted a diverse array of studies of the wealthy. For four years, the Gates Foundation has supported an effort by the center to determine exactly how the American wealthy think and live — and in particular how, when, and to what degree they make the shift from accumulating fortunes to giving them away philanthropically. (The John Templeton Foundation, which is concerned with spiritual matters, kicked in additional funding to study correlations between wealth, philanthropy, and religion.) The project has produced one of the most remarkable documents in the center’s history: a survey that invited the very rich to write freely about how prosperity has shaped their lives and those of their children. From the anonymity of their home computers, the respondents wrote anything from a few words to a few pages, volunteering not only their net worth and sources of wealth but also their innermost hopes, fears, and anxieties.

A fascinating article that only proves the old adage, money can't buy happiness, while giving an inside look into the real issues the super-rich face.

Read the full article here.

I'm Now Writing for Suite 101 ! Check it out!

I am now writing about the entertainment industry and career advice for Suite 101. You can check out my profile here.

So far, I've posted three articles, with many more to come!
Stupid Mistakes to Avoid in Your Résumé and Cover Letters
Feeling Stuck as a Hollywood Assistant?
Is Agency Experience Really Necessary to Work in Hollywood?

If you have any topics or questions you'd like to see me to address, please feel free to send me an email.

Hollywood Shadows (The New Yorker)

By far the most common problem afflicting the writers in Michels’s practice is procrastination, which he understands in terms of Jung’s Father archetype. “They procrastinate because they have no external authority figure demanding that they write,” he says. “Often I explain to the patient that there is an authority figure he’s answerable to, but it’s not human. It’s Time itself that’s passing inexorably. That’s why they call it Father Time. Every time you procrastinate or waste time, you’re defying this authority figure.” Procrastination, he says, is a “spurious form of immortality,” the ego’s way of claiming that it has all the time in the world; writing, by extension, is a kind of death. He gives procrastinators a tool he calls the Arbitrary Use of Time Moment, which asks them to sit in front of their computers for a fixed amount of time each day. “You say, ‘I’m surrendering myself to the archetypal Father, Chronos,’ ” he says. ‘I’m surrendering to him because he has hegemony over me.’ That submission activates something inside someone. In the simplest terms, it gets people to get their ass in the chair.” For the truly unproductive, he sets the initial period at ten minutes—“an amount of time it would sort of embarrass them not to be able to do.”

Sorry kids, Barry Michels rate starts at $360/hour. You'll just have to read the rest of this fascinating article to get Michels and Phil Stutz' advice and therapy. Really, really interesting.

Read the full article here.

Should We Should Stop Making Movies About The End Of The World? (The New Republic)

Apparently, when a house floats like that, it follows the iceberg principle, with only the tops showing. But perhaps the houses are drowning. It might be...well, it might be from Clint Eastwood’s Hereafter, with its spectacular CGI tsunami scenes. Actually, the tsunami in Hereafter is a great deal more impressive, or dramatic, better framed and photographed, than the material I have been describing. It’s more to the point. But Hereafter now has been withdrawn in Japan, while the kind of footage we have seen in the last week was not planned or designed. It was an improv that is now inescapable, unforgettable, unendurable. Here is film to alter your life and let you know how swift its end might be. ...

Photography and film proposed a relationship with the world—yes, you can see this, but only if you accept that it is a part of your world and your life, only if you realize that, as you see it, so it is happening to you, and to us. And I wonder if we haven’t broken that faith and its bond in surpassing “mere” photography and assuring ourselves that we can fabricate these things, as if they are somehow in our power.

This is a toughy for me, because I am a SUCKER for natural disaster flicks. They might actually be my favorite genre (and yes, I can feel you judging me.) The right answer to this quandary isn't made any easier by David Thompson's meandering article. Is he saying the slickness of Hollywood makes the real footage more "inescapable, unforgettable, unendurable," or if the movies make the real thing less powerful, as we "[assure] ourselves that we can fabricate these things, as if they are somehow in our power."

But at the end of the day, I'm 100% for continuing to make disaster flicks. I think - for the most part, anyway - audiences can figure out what's manufactured entertainment and what's true tragedy. One doesn't take away from the other.

Read the full article here and then weigh in with your thoughts.

They tried to deduct what?! (CNNMoney)

Sex with prostitutes is apparently not considered a legitimate medical expense. Who would have guessed?
A lawyer from New York kept track of his visits with prostitutes in a journal and tried to deduct their "services" as medical expenses.
The whopping $65,934 may have tipped off the IRS to a problem.
He also attempted to deduct nearly $5,000 for pornography and sex therapy books and magazines.

Aaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha! That's freaking hilarious! Apparently "Uncle Sam was not amused" but there's no way the agent reviewing that tax return didn't laugh his ass off.

Other deductions (from other people) nixed by the government included sperm donations, underwear and Scientology classes. Thank goodness we all work in an industry where we actually can deduct things like movie tickets and our cable bills.

Check out the full article here.

Are the Muppets turning into hipsters, or were they just early adopters? (Salon)

In the '70s, Muppets were able to blur the boundaries between adult and kid entertainment. What's great now is that they don't have to: With a love for all things nostalgic, as well as the cultural parodies and "winks to the audience" that Jim Henson's creations were known for, the Muppets won't have to change at all to fit into our current definition of "hipsters."

The only thing wrong with this article is that it doesn't mention the completely genius version of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, which I'm sure you've all seen. But God forbid you haven't....


Read the full article here.

The Decline of Marriage and Rise of New Families (Pew Research Center)

The survey also finds striking differences by generation. In 1960, two-thirds (68%) of all twenty-somethings were married. In 2008, just 26% were.

How many of today's youth will eventually marry is an open question. For now, the survey finds that the young are much more inclined than their elders to view cohabitation without marriage and other new family forms -- such as same-sex marriage and interracial marriage -- in a positive light.

Even as marriage shrinks, family -- in all its emerging varieties -- remains resilient. The survey finds that Americans have an expansive definition of what constitutes a family. And the vast majority of adults consider their own family to be the most important, most satisfying element of their lives.

I doubt this news comes as a shock to any of us, but it's always nice to have some data to back up what seems to be happening in the world. Overall, just something I found interesting and thought I'd share.

Read the full article here.

Richard Branson to dress up as an air hostess and serve passengers... (Daily Mail)

The billionaire owner of the Virgin Racing Formula One team had a bet with Lotus Racing boss Tony Fernandes over whose team would finish highest in the 2010 championships. Whoever lost the best would have to dress up as a woman and act as an air hostess, serving champagne to guests on one of the winner's flights. ...

"Many years ago Richard Branson employed me so I’m looking forward to him sucking up to me as a stewardess!" [Fernandes] joked.

Just something fun for Thursday. You have to love billionaires who still have their senses of humor, right?

Read the full article here.

The 100 Manliest Mustaches in Sports History (BroBible.com)

As a shout out to my friend Matt and MOVEMBER (When the Mo, slang for moustache, and November come together each year to raise money for boy-part cancers), I'm sharing this awesome list of awesome mustaches. Some of the Mo's aren't as manly as you'd think they'd be given the title of the list (Larry Bird anyone?), so I put my favorite manly mo above - Hel-lo Dennis Eckersley!

And personally, I think almost all fellas look better with some facial hair, so I am excited to watch Matt and his motley team of mo growers as Movember progresses. Check out his daily pics here, and get more info at the Movember website.

Finally, don't forget to view the full 100 Manliest Mo's in Sports slideshow here.

The 50 Most Terrifying Sesame Street Costumes (Best Week Ever TV)

I think some of these costumes are actually quite good, but there are definitely more than a few that fit the "terrifying" category (#41 anyone?).

The Yip-Yips were my favorite! :)

Read the full article here.

Emergency Mine Rescue (NOVA & PBS NewsHour)

This one-hour film chronicles the fate of the 33 miners trapped in a collapsed Chilean gold and copper mine in August 2010 and investigates the many challenges faced by both the miners and those working around the clock to bring them safely to the surface. NOVA was on-site at the San José mine in Chile by early September. Conferred special access, NOVA’s film crew interviewed engineers, NASA experts, medical personnel, and key figures from the companies that provided drills and crucial rescue equipment to give a more detailed scientific account of the unfolding events. The resulting film, using footage from the scene as well as advanced animation, showcases the extraordinary feats of engineering as well as the biological and geological factors inherent in the rescue. “Emergency Mine Rescue” also examines the psychological and physiological impact of this kind of prolonged ordeal on the miners and those involved in the rescue efforts.

I'm posting this simply because I find it amazing, fascinating and inspiring. 65 days underground, one sip of milk and a teaspoon of tuna every two days, three completely separate drilling plans and worldwide involvement.

The special NOVA presentation can be found here.

PBS Newshour has a preview of the show, as well as a really interesting interview with one of the general contractors on the rescue project (and CEO of the company that created part the successful "Plan B" technology). The segment can be found here - it starts at timecode 40:47.

Summer (School) at the Movies (The Atlantic)

Just finished teaching summer school last week: it was a six-week course on race, class and gender, and I decided to look at these social identities through the lens of cinema. This gave me an excuse to re-watch, and in some cases, for the first time, watch a group of films that (ideally) would help illuminate some key themes related to race, class and gender. Some highlights (and low lights too).

Worth including for the author's "review" of CRASH alone - I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one. But seriously, the rest of the blurbs are interesting too, and I really like the overall premise of using multiple films to investigate a particular theme. I was a TA for a Sports Movie class in college and anyone who says movies can't be a teaching tool doesn't know what they're talking about.
Read the full article here

What Is It About 20-Somethings? (NY Times Magazine)

The whole idea of milestones, of course, is something of an anachronism; it implies a lockstep march toward adulthood that is rare these days. Kids don’t shuffle along in unison on the road to maturity. They slouch toward adulthood at an uneven, highly individual pace. Some never achieve all five milestones, including those who are single or childless by choice, or unable to marry even if they wanted to because they’re gay. Others reach the milestones completely out of order, advancing professionally before committing to a monogamous relationship, having children young and marrying later, leaving school to go to work and returning to school long after becoming financially secure.

Even if some traditional milestones are never reached, one thing is clear: Getting to what we would generally call adulthood is happening later than ever. But why? That’s the subject of lively debate among policy makers and academics. To some, what we’re seeing is a transient epiphenomenon, the byproduct of cultural and economic forces. To others, the longer road to adulthood signifies something deep, durable and maybe better-suited to our neurological hard-wiring. What we’re seeing, they insist, is the dawning of a new life stage — a stage that all of us need to adjust to.

This is a seriously lengthy but fascinating article on a trend I'd guess a lot of us were aware of long before the media started thinking about it. Maybe we weren't thinking in terms of the "traditional milestones" but I know many of us simply don't feel our age, and aren't even remotely concerned about the fact that we might not be married with children by the time we hit our 30s. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this "phenomenon" - is it a good thing, a bad thing, or just a thing?

Read the full article here.
And read one Atlantic Monthly writer's response here.
Finally, check out Slate's discussion of / reader comments on the article here.

Highway jam enters its 9th day, spans 100km (Global Times)

Traffic authorities were still struggling to cope with days-long congestion on a major national expressway, nine days after traffic slowed to a snail's pace, and nearby residents are profiting on the latest traffic snarl by overcharging drivers for food. ...

For drivers, suffering the congestion on the Beijing-Tibet Expressway is nothing new. In a similar scene this July, traffic was also reduced to a crawl for nearly one month.

Some killed time by playing cards, while some could only wait idly by.

And we think LA traffic is bad!
Read the full article here.

Where in the Sam Hill have I been?

You may have noticed production on the Call Sheet Report has been shut down for a while. I hate to say it, but it's because of a boy. He's a little younger than me, but he's gorgeous, a great kisser, and super loving. It's official - I'm head over heels for Huckleberry. :)

     

What Caffeine Actually Does to Your Brain (Lifehacker)

... Caffeine's powers [are likened] to "putting a block of wood under one of the brain's primary brake pedals."

It's an apt metaphor, because it spells out that caffeine very clearly doesn't press the "gas" on your brain, and that it only blocks a "primary" brake. ...

What's important to take away is that caffeine is not as simple in effect as a direct stimulant, such as amphetamines or cocaine; its effect on your alertness is far more subtle.

We've all had those days (and nights) when we simply can't go to bed just because we're tired. There's too much work to catch-up on, or we're finally out and socializing and don't want to be the loser that goes home at 10 PM. Turns out that caffeine may not be the miracle drug we thought it was - an interesting read on how to caffeine works and how to optimize it's performance for you. No joke - check it out.
Read the full article here.

How the Rich and Famous Can Stay Rich (if Not Famous) (NY Times)

“I have big movie producer clients who are not working as much as they used to,” Mr. Schindler said. “I often tell them, ‘You could run out of money if you continue to live this luxurious lifestyle.’ That’s the hard part for them, understanding how they can compromise with lifestyle expenses.”

Something to think about when you're making six figures per picture, but only making one movie a year. :)
Read the full article here.

Best Blogs of 2010 (Time)

Don't cry for me Argentina - I mean, this blog's only been around for about ten days, so the fact that Time Magazine didn't include CSR this year is somewhat understandable.

But seriously, an interesting list of not only the best blogs, but also the most over-rated and those considered essential. I'm definitely going to be doing some browsing later. Enjoy!

See the full list here, and read the article / detailed listing here.

Ac-shun! Now Brace for Impact (NY Times)

Action — as a genre, and also as a source of sensation — has, at best, a mixed critical reputation. It is often dismissed as mindless, stupid or empty, which is not always wrong but often beside the point. Action fans may crave the rush of noise, speed and hectic incident, but their appreciation is not necessarily indiscriminate.

A nice little "defense" of the action genre, which is - no lie - one of my favorites. Shocker, I know! And I'm not a 14-year-old boy! Somewhere, an exec's head is exploding.
Read the full article here.

Will 'Inception' Be Too Smart for Audiences? (Cinematical)

Wait, are we too dumb for a high concept-movie like Inception? Aren't we waiting -- haven't we been begging -- to be treated like adults at the movies? Aren't the box office numbers of this summer any indication of how frustrated movie-goers are with sequels and the same old stuff? Doesn't anyone think that the very name of Nolan will bring in the crowds, even if we're too, you know, dumb to understand the final product?
The best kinds of movies make your gears turn for long after the credits roll, and the even better kind will bring viewers back for a second or third viewing in the theater and on DVD.

The question posed in the title of this post infuriates me, and my response is a big fat "ditto" of the quote above.
Read the full post here.