How we self-identify and relate to other people has increasingly become based on the products we purchase. The Times has created interactive maps for twelve metropolitan areas that allow you to see the Netflix rental habits within that city based on 100 movie titles. The resulting colorful maps are telling examples of how demographics are distributed across these cities. For example, “Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys” and “Milk” were popular exactly where the other wasn’t. A crucial flaw to this mapping system is that we are not shown how many Netflix users live in each ZIP code. Presumably, areas with higher disposable incomes were more accurately mapped by this system.
Once only known for his spectacular biking abilities and production expertise, Nick Ravich has now entered the blogispher with his debut post “On Location: Filming Art21 Educators in Southern California.” Follow Nick’s posts to see what we (the production team at Art21) are working on!
Until I feel inspired to continue this blog/reinvent it, please direct your attention to my employer’s blog.

To raise a chicken in your backyard or not to raise a chicken in your backyard? The NYTimes and The New Yorker seem to have contrasting opinions. Who am I to believe?!
Google Books is preventing me from reliving my childhood! I found my favorite book, “It Could Be Worse,” (yes, it is slightly pessimistic) only to discover that the majority of it is not visible. You cannot imagine my frustration!
I’ve walked past the corner of Prince and Broadway countless times but never noticed the stone etching on the NW corner. It is dated ‘84 and is reminiscent of Keith Haring’s work so I assumed it was his. I’m not the first person to make this mistake. Apparently it is the work of Ken Hiratsuka. Haring did use the sidewalks as a canvas back in his day though. It is mentioned in his biography that he created a stencil reading “Clones Go Home” and would spray paint the slogan on the border between the East and West Villages.
The fifth season of Art:21 premieres this month on PBS. What I love about Art:21 and the late Egg The Arts Show is that they not only introduce you to innovative art but also provide an intimate portrait of the artist. I’m most looking forward to the Cindy Sherman episode on October 21st.
I feel almost like a freak for noticing this. The Times and The Atlantic both did pieces on the Erie Canal recently. But the true coincidence is that they both rented the same boat, The Cayuga, for their respective journeys! Okay, maybe I am the only person who found that interesting…