Book Adventure Midtown Scholar Harrisburg PA
Midtown Scholar Bookstore // Harrisburg, PA //
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An Evening with JAMES PONIEWOZIK, Author of Audience of One
On September 14, 2019, the Midtown Scholar Bookstore welcomed JAMES PONIEWOZIK, the chief television critic of the New York Times, to Harrisburg to present and sign copies of his new book, Audience of One: Donald Trump, Television, and the Fracturing of America. Poniewozik was interviewed by PennLive's Cate Barron.
About the Book:
An incisive cultural history that captures a fractious nation through the prism of television and the rattled mind of a celebrity president.
Television has entertained America, television has ensorcelled America, and with the election of Donald J. Trump, television has conquered America. In Audience of One, New York Times chief television critic James Poniewozik traces the history of TV and mass media from the Reagan era to today, explaining how a volcanic, camera-hogging antihero merged with America’s most powerful medium to become our forty-fifth president.
In the tradition of Neil Postman’s masterpiece Amusing Ourselves to Death, Audience of One shows how American media have shaped American society and politics, by interweaving two crucial stories. The first story follows the evolution of television from the three-network era of the 20th century, which joined millions of Americans in a shared monoculture, into today’s zillion-channel, Internet-atomized universe, which sliced and diced them into fractious, alienated subcultures. The second story is a cultural critique of Donald Trump, the chameleonic celebrity who courted fame, achieved a mind-meld with the media beast, and rode it to ultimate power.
Braiding together these disparate threads, Poniewozik combines a cultural history of modern America with a revelatory portrait of the most public American who has ever lived. Reaching back to the 1940s, when Trump and commercial television were born, Poniewozik illustrates how Donald became “a character that wrote itself, a brand mascot that jumped off the cereal box and entered the world, a simulacrum that replaced the thing it represented.” Viscerally attuned to the media, Trump shape-shifted into a boastful tabloid playboy in the 1980s; a self-parodic sitcom fixture in the 1990s; a reality-TV “You’re Fired” machine in the 2000s; and finally, the biggest role of his career, a Fox News–obsessed, Twitter-mad, culture-warring demagogue in the White House.
Poniewozik deconstructs the chaotic Age of Trump as the 24-hour TV production that it is, decoding an era when politics has become pop culture, and vice versa. Trenchant and often slyly hilarious, Audience of One is a penetrating and sobering review of the raucous, raging, farcical reality show―performed for the benefit of an insomniac, cable-news-junkie “audience of one”―that we all came to live in, whether we liked it or not.
About the Author:
James Poniewozik has been the chief television critic of the New York Times since 2015. He was previously the television and media critic for Time magazine and media columnist for Salon. He lives in Brooklyn.
About the Interviewer:
Cate Barron is a recognized leader in Pennsylvania journalism. As VP of Content for the Patriot-News and PennLive.com, she led the challenging transition to digital that included converting the daily paper to thrice weekly. Since then, PennLive has become one of the largest news and information websites in the state, with more than 7 million monthly unique visitors. During her 7-year tenure as Editor, the newsroom has continued to be recognized for outstanding journalism, winning Newspaper of the Year and Keystone Sweepstakes awards, as well as national honors. She and her husband live in Camp Hill.
Ellery Schempp - 6/10/13 - Harrisburg, PA
Dr. Ellery Schempp -- a separation of church and state hero most famous for victory in the 1963 Abington School District v. Schempp United States Supreme Court case which had deemed public school-sponsored Bible reading and prayer unconstitutional -- headlined a commemorative event co-sponsored by Pennsylvania Nonbelievers and the ACLU of Pennsylvania at the Midtown Scholar bookstore in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania June 9 of 2013. Following the event, Dr. Schempp and others then convened for a post-event reception at the Brewhouse Mountain Eco-Inn.
Read my reflections on the June 9 events and find more information within my website on the Skeptic Ink Network:
Consider donating, on my website, to defray my travel expenses which allowed for this video to exist!
0:07 - Opening comments by Brian Fields
1:06 - Opening comments by Dave Messner
2:07 - Opening comments by Laurie Lebo
3:01 - Opening comments by Turk
12:58 - Dr. Ellery Schempp
51:37 - Question and Answer session
An Evening with BERNICE HAUSMAN, Author of Anti/Vax: Reframing the Vaccination Controversy
On June 12, 2019, the Midtown Scholar Bookstore welcomed the Chair of the Department of Humanities at the Penn State College of Medicine, Bernice Hausman, to Harrisburg to discuss her new book, Anti/Vax: Reframing the Vaccination Controversy (Cornell University Press/ILR Press).
Signed copies are available in-store and online at MidtownScholar.com while supplies last!
About the Book:
Antivaxxers are crazy. That is the perception we all gain from the media, the internet, celebrities, and beyond, writes Bernice Hausman in Anti/Vax, but we need to open our eyes and ears so that we can all have a better conversation about vaccine skepticism and its implications.
Hausman argues that the heated debate about vaccinations and whether to get them or not is most often fueled by accusations and vilifications rather than careful attention to the real concerns of many Americans. She wants to set the record straight about vaccine skepticism and show how the issues and ideas that motivate it―like suspicion of pharmaceutical companies or the belief that some illness is necessary to good health―are commonplace in our society.
Through Anti/Vax, Hausman wants to engage public health officials, the media, and each of us in a public dialogue about the relation of individual bodily autonomy to the state's responsibility to safeguard citizens' health. We need to know more about the position of each side in this important stand-off so that public decisions are made through understanding rather than stereotyped perceptions of scientifically illiterate antivaxxers or faceless bureaucrats. Hausman reveals that vaccine skepticism is, in part, a critique of medicalization and a warning about the dangers of modern medicine rather than a glib and gullible reaction to scaremongering and misunderstanding.
About the Author:
Bernice L. Hausman is Chair of the Department of Humanities at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, Pennsylvania.. She is the author of Viral Mothers, Mother's Milk, and Changing Sex.
Bloomsday 06/15/13
James Joyce aficionados read passages of the Irishman's classic modernist novel Ulysses during a Bloomsday celebration at Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg that was organized by Penn State Harrisburg professor Michael Barton.
Marjorie Maddox and Jerry Wemple Read Commonwealth Poetry at the PA Capitol
Here are a few more clips from October 11th, 2012 when five Pennsylvania poets had the fortune of reading at the State Capitol. Marjorie Maddox and Jerry Wemple are co-editors of the book Common Wealth, Contemporary Poets on Pennsylvania. Marjorie reads about a local attraction in Clyde Peeling's Reptile Land (I had to steal a bit of the introduction form the reading at the Midtown Scholar that occurred later in the day), and Jerry reads his poem Sunbury, PA, 1957.
The wife of Governor Corbett, and chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Susan Corbett was in attendance, though she had to rush off before my portion of the program. Since I am certain she follows my YouTube channel, I have to apologize now for not being able to post the whole 15 minute segment. I am sure she'll understand. There was a fair amount of background noise, and a good dose of static on this Kodak, due I suppose to processing difficulties between the camera and the sound system. Plus the camera was hand-held, so I hope it doesn't make you or the First Lady dizzy.
All in all it was a fun experience, as were our readings at the Midtown Scholar bookstore later that evening. The podcast is available here:
My bit doesn't start until about the 30 minute mark, but I am preceded by both Jerry Wemple and Marjorie Maddox, two awesome poets whom I admire very much.
There were professional cameras present as well, and hopefully you'll be able to catch the broadcast on PCN on October the 27th. I don't know if it will be available somehow via podcast later or not. Here is the info from the PCN schedule (
Commonwealth Poetry Reading with PA Award-Winning Poets3:45 pm
Calendar: PCN Public Affairs
[Start Time: 3:45 pm
End Time: 5:15 pm
(10.11.12) Poets: Jerry Wemple, Creative Writing Director of Bloomsburg University; Marjorie Maddox, Creative Writing Director of Lock Haven University; Melanie Simms, former Perry County Poet Laureate; Nate Gadsden, former Harrisburg Poet Laureate; and upcoming Commonwealth poet, David Bauman
Location: State Capitol in Harrisburg
Closed Captioning: Yes]
Percy Shaw - Everything But Love ( Live @Midtown Scholar Bookstore - August 3, 2012)
Download Everything ut Love on iTUNES:
Visit Percy Shaw's official website!
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LYRICS:
You just called me up this morning
to tell me 'bout your new boyfriend
You said he's got his problems
but you ain't too hung up on them
cuz now you got diamons, now you got maids
yea all the finer things you say
but you ain't ever gonna have enough
as long as you got everything but love
You said all your friends are so jealous
of the life you're livin' now
and you don't miss a single chance
to tell all of them 'bout how
now you got diamons, now you got maids
yea all the finer things you say
but you ain't ever gonna have enough
as long as you got everything but love
Now I ain't tryin' to change your mind dear
Hell I know where you're comin' from
It's just you've held out for so long now
Hate to see you givin' in just
cuz now you got diamons, now you got maids
yea all the finer things you say
but you ain't ever gonna have enough
as long as you got everything but love
ACLU Year of the Bible Roundtable Event
Recorded on November 29, 2012 at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA
It's been almost a year since Pennsylvania lawmakers designated 2012 the Year of the Bible. As we near the end of 2012, the South-Central Chapter of the ACLU-PA invited the public to a discussion about what this year's designation has meant for religious liberty and the First Amendment.
The panel also took a historical look at the Founding Fathers and religious liberties in the Constitution, as well as had a discussion of the First Amendment's establishment clause versus free exercise and the ongoing balance between the two.
Spero Lappas, Harrisburg civil-rights attorney who practices constitutional law, civil litigation and criminal defense, moderated the discussion.
Featured panelists included:
Rob Boston, a senior policy analyst at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, who has appeared on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, Fox News Channel's O'Reilly Factor and MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann;
Richard Katskee, one of the attorneys who successfully represented parents in Dover v Kitzmiller, and who has litigated cutting-edge constitutional challenges nationwide. He is a frequent lecturer on the First Amendment around the country, including the National Academy of Sciences;
Brian Fields, president of PA Nonbelievers, central Pennsylvania's largest grassroots secular organization and co-chair of the PA state chapter of the Secular Coalition for America.
Rep. Mark Cohen, PA Representative from Philadelphia, who introduced legislation earlier this year to repeal the Year of the Bible resolution.
In January, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the non-binding resolution declaring 2012 the Year of the Bible, in recognition of both the formative influence of the Bible on our Commonwealth and nation and our national need to study and apply the teachings of the holy scriptures. Cohen later unsuccessfully urged his fellow lawmakers to repeal the motion
The Castros- Here in Columbus
The Castros performing Here in Columbus feat. Dane, Sam and Sam.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, PA
David Reads at the Pennsylvania State Capitol
This is a clip from October 11th, 2012 when five Pennsylvania poets had the fortune of reading at the State Capitol. The wife of Governor Corbett, and chair of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Susan Corbett was in attendance, though she had to rush off before my portion of the program. Since I am certain she follows my YouTube channel, I have to apologize now for not being able to post the whole 15 minute segment. I am sure she'll understand. There was a fair amount of background noise, and a good dose of static at the beginning (sorry), due I suppose to processing difficulties between the camera and the sound system. Plus the camera was hand-held, so I hope it doesn't make you or the First Lady dizzy. I won't print the words to the two poems here for now, since they have been submitted elsewhere for possible publication, so I hope you can understand it all through the echo of the East Wing Rotunda.
All in all it was a fun experience, but I admit I more thoroughly enjoyed our readings at the Midtown Scholar bookstore later that evening. The podcast is available here:
My bit doesn't start until about the 30 minute mark, but I am preceded by both Jerry Wemple and Marjorie Maddox, two awesome poets whom I admire very much.
There were professional cameras present as well, and hopefully you'll be able to catch the broadcast on PCN on October the 27th. I don't know if it will be available somehow via podcast later or not. Here is the info from the PCN schedule (
Commonwealth Poetry Reading with PA Award-Winning Poets3:45 pm
Calendar: PCN Public Affairs
[Start Time: 3:45 pm
End Time: 5:15 pm
(10.11.12) Poets: Jerry Wemple, Creative Writing Director of Bloomsburg University; Marjorie Maddox, Creative Writing Director of Lock Haven University; Melanie Simms, former Perry County Poet Laureate; Nate Gadsden, former Harrisburg Poet Laureate; and upcoming Commonwealth poet, David Bauman
Location: State Capitol in Harrisburg
Closed Captioning: Yes]
So it's good to know that there will be closed captioning, in case there is as much problem with the echo as there was on my tiny Kodak. And it's also good to know that I am indeed, an upcoming Commonwealth poet. ;-)
An Interview with Carla Christopher
Taken by videographer, Karen Overly Smith, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore on March 22, 2013. Contains interview and poetry performance of York themed poetry by Carla Christopher in her capacity as York City's Poet Laureate.
John Hanger Speaks With Les Stark at Harrisburg Medical Cannabis Rally
The Civil War: Reconstruction, Race & Andrew Johnson
Historian Allen Guelzo talks about his book, Reconstruction: A Concise History. He argues that despite the ratification of the 14th and 15th Amendments, the Reconstruction period failed to solidify the promise of African American equality, in part due to the poor leadership of President Andrew Johnson. The Midtown Scholar Bookstore and National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania co-hosted this event.
Airs Saturday, May 26 at 6pm ET on C-SPAN3
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research | Wikipedia audio article
This is an audio version of the Wikipedia Article:
00:00:54 1 History
00:01:03 1.1 Foundation years (1977–1980)
00:02:12 1.2 Reagan-era activity (1981–1989)
00:04:31 1.3 The influence of iCity Journal/i (1990–2000)
00:09:43 1.4 Addressing the modern age of terrorism and social unrest (2001–2009)
00:15:11 1.5 Advancing free-market thinking in modern politics (2009–present)
00:19:59 2 Programs
00:26:21 3 Policy positions and initiatives
00:27:15 3.1 State and local policy
00:34:50 3.2 Community policing: the broken windows method
00:40:26 3.3 Education, charter schools and vouchers
00:43:47 3.4 Energy and environment
00:48:32 3.5 Health policy
00:53:17 3.6 Legal reform
00:54:30 3.6.1 Overcriminalization
00:55:34 3.6.2 Prisoner reentry in Newark
00:57:28 3.7 Economics
01:01:13 4 Funding sources
01:02:05 5 Notable people
01:02:14 5.1 Notable iCity Journal/i people
01:02:24 6 See also
Listening is a more natural way of learning, when compared to reading. Written language only began at around 3200 BC, but spoken language has existed long ago.
Learning by listening is a great way to:
- increases imagination and understanding
- improves your listening skills
- improves your own spoken accent
- learn while on the move
- reduce eye strain
Now learn the vast amount of general knowledge available on Wikipedia through audio (audio article). You could even learn subconsciously by playing the audio while you are sleeping! If you are planning to listen a lot, you could try using a bone conduction headphone, or a standard speaker instead of an earphone.
Listen on Google Assistant through Extra Audio:
Other Wikipedia audio articles at:
Upload your own Wikipedia articles through:
Speaking Rate: 0.7724880057243649
Voice name: en-US-Wavenet-E
I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.
- Socrates
SUMMARY
=======
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research (renamed in 1981 from the International Center for Economic Policy Studies) is a conservative 501(c)(3) non-profit American think tank focused on domestic policy and urban affairs, established in New York City in 1977 by Antony Fisher and William J. Casey. The organization describes its mission as to develop and disseminate new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual responsibility. Its message is communicated through books, articles, interviews, speeches, op-eds, and through the institute's quarterly publication City Journal.
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