Today’s list of websites are sites that fall under my “popcultural critique” folder of my Google Reader. These are some of my favorite sites that seek to examine the world as it is today, while focusing on the small shifts in commercials, fashion, architecture, design, and language while trying to come up with a commentary on what it means to us. I think they’re all terribly exciting and I’m more than a bit angry that I didn’t come up with any of ideas myself. Humph…but bravo to them.
Inhabitat – This site focuses on development and materials involved in creating architecture and design while promoting a green standard. It goes by the motto “Green Design is Good Design. Good Design is Green Design.” It’s a smart and well-written website with a great focus. And I can’t believe that I never thought to start up this site myself. And the writers are all ridiculously pretty.
The Sartorialist – Scott Schuman is one of my heroes. He began to take pictures of people on the streets of New York wearing outfits that caught his eye. In the Sartorialist (Sartorial – of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress), we see a lovely merging of fashion, art, style, and cultural critiques. It’s a lovely and exciting site and very much worth your while.
AdGrabber – I’ve been reading this site for only about a week now, and while I tend to skim through it more than anything, finding ads like this Ford Fusion Commercial is a good example of why I enjoy reading AdGrabber. We live in an interesting time where we, as the viewers, have more and more power. We download our shows through torrents, we TiVo, we DVR. We have little interest in commercials because, by and large, they suck. However, they are also everywhere…ads are representative of our culture. It’s high paced, it’s colorful, it’s reflective of what we want our lives to be like. And this site captures that progression in snippets and goes to show just what good advertising can look like. It’s not limited to TV ads, but print, online viral memes, and the such. It very much isn’t for everyone, but if you’re interested in mainstream ads and their artistic nature, it’s worth a look.
Find more videos like this on AdGabber
More Intelligent Life – The Economist is my favorite weekly publication and while I may not agree with parts of it, I find its economic and policy analysis tied with the Financial Times. More Intelligent Life takes the excellent analysis in The Economist, but applies it to travel, to the arts, to a review of critics themselves, the taste of wines, and literature. With its lovely pictures, smart analysis, and interesting topics, More Intelligent Life is quickly becoming a daily read. Also, they publish a magazine…but only in Europe. Another reason why my life will not be complete until I move to Berlin or London (maaaybe Paris).
Language Log – A language blog that focuses on the use of language in the media and culture (e.g., books, ads, speeches, etc.). It’s fascinating and their focus on the “almost inconceivable” writing style of Dan Brown is nothing short of brilliant.