Misc. Items

Enough soapboxing...

Chicago Tribune's culture critic, Julia Keller (whom I like), writes about those who identify with either Batman or Superman.

The fellow on the TV has all the characteristics of both Batman and Superman, and therefore symbolizes those who attempt to empathise and identify with everyone, no matter their personality types. Just look how crabby it has made him.

U.S. News & World Report this week pointed me to the Elvis Trooper.

Virginia Postrel cites Steve Forbes's article on the downsides of restricting movement across our borders.

Bookslut on the covers of books that feature book covers.

Word Detective says that some of us might be able to do some word research, a la Erin McKean or The Professor and the Madman:

Elsewhere in the news, if you've ever had a hankering to lend a hand to the fine folks at the Oxford English Dictionary, your ship has docked. In connection with a major TV series they are producing about the OED, the BBC has set up a nifty Word Hunt site where readers can help identify the origins and first uses of 50 terms, ranging from "boffin" and "bog standard" to "ska" and "snazzy." If your contribution is significant and verifiable, there's a good chance that it will be included in the next revision of the OED. Take a look and help solve the mysteries of "mushy peas" and "mullet."