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| Deborah S. Esquenazi |  | Demythologizing the Metropolis |
 I read the same three columnists: Katha Pollitt, William Safire and Tom L. Friedman—Left, Right and Mostly Moderate, respectively—each voice punctuating one degree on the political barometer. Certainly, I read the works of other columnists, but the lure of these individuals for me is their ability to foreground issues in such a way that their views rarely seem stifling or alienating. Columnists are “readers” of culture; the good ones evaluate and critique the production and consumption of ideas, unpacking for their audience the workings of our propaganda machines (to start, media and government). This is not to say they don’t hawk their political agendas or that I agree willy-nilly. But often, they don’t agree willy-nilly with their own cohorts—that’s their intrigue. The great ones can make even the most abstruse subject matter entertaining and relevant, or they can easily toggle between tones: one day a prickly social critique, another day, a slapstick anecdote.
On the other hand, perhaps I overestimate their appeal and impact. Columnists have not fostered the same water-cooler chatter that, say, HBO has to date. (By the way, has anyone see HBO’s fantastic bit of self-promotion about how they’ve single-handedly restored the flailing water-cooler industry? The hyperbole is HBO claiming they’ve turned the office stiff into the office wag since the debut of “quality programming”. But I digress...)
As your new HTMAF columnist, I am hired to fill-in the gaps and report on politics and popular culture. My counterparts at HTMAF are the medical and counseling experts. They’ve got that covered. I am here to provide other stuff, so expect criticisms on everything from politics to religion to fashion. I am here to ask myself the tough questions, like W.W.J.J.D? Or, What Would Joan Jett Do? I mean really do?
| Read along as Deb Esquenazi explores, ponders, and criticizes other stuff on How to Make a Family: | |
| Talk Back | ||
And I know this is hard to believe, but not all columnists are megalomaniacs (and certainly not the columnists at HTMAF). I appreciate your opinions: send me links to important happenings and share your own views about the issues I’ve raised. If you disagree with me in any capacity, let me know by sending me an email but not a virus. | ||
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