Author Archives: Ralph Hanson

Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

Why did James Bond switch from a 25 Barretta to a Walther PPK? Because the man who would inspire Ian Flemming to create Q said that Bond wouldn’t live very long with a girly gun like the  Barretta. Why is … Continue reading

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Pre-Class Video: Ground Control to Cmdr. Hadfield

Today’s pre-class video is brought to you from outer space by former Canadian astronaut and commander of the International Space Station, Cmdr. Chris Hadfield.  He recorded this video of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” while on the ISS in 2013.  You … Continue reading

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Link Ch. 5 – Lena Dunham, Vogue & Jezebel – Is there a Photoshopping problem?

The level of Photoshopping going on at Fashion/Beauty/Lifestyle magazines has been an ongoing controversy, with performers such as Adele, Kelly Clarkson and Kate Winslet being made almost unrecognizable as photo editors try to make the curvy stars’ bodies comply with … Continue reading

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Pre-Class Video: Illustrator Tommy Kane draws Seoul, South Korea

Today’s video is from artist/illustrator Tommy Kane, and I’m playing it in honor of the fact my eldest returns home from Korea tomorrow where he’s been working for the last year.

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Oscar Nominations 2014: Brühl snubbed, Hustle gets acting nominations in all four categories

Oscar nominations were announced bright and early this morning, with several surprises in what is widely considered to be one of the tightest fields in years. Gravity and American Hustle led the nominations with 10 nods each, followed by 12 … Continue reading

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Pre-class video: They Might Be Giant performing “You’re On Fire”

My pre-class video for today is a music video from the awesome band They Might Be Giants.

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You can still be entertained by the Golden Globes broadcast even if you didn’t watch it Sunday

I wasn’t able to watch the Golden Globes Awards broadcast Sunday night, but that doesn’t mean I couldn’t still be entertained by it.  Here’s what you missed if you didn’t watch: The wonderful introduction to the show by co-hosts Tina … Continue reading

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Pre-Class Video: CATCH – A stop-motion animation shot with Google Glass

I usually have a pre-class video running as students assemble for my Global Media Literacy class.  While I generally collect these videos over on my Tumblr, this semester I’m going to try to post all the ones I use to … Continue reading

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What can we learn from the Chris Christie Bridge scandal?

As you no doubt have heard in the last few days, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is in a lot of hot water over actions by his staff in closing several lanes of traffic on the George Washington Bridge this … Continue reading

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Questions Worth Asking (Maybe)

What do midwestern tabloid newspapers put on their covers when they are tired of snow and cold? Why, puppies, of course!!!  Is America facing a Velveeta shortage heading into the NFL playoff season? And if so, whatever will we do … Continue reading

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