For an album inspired by death, Funeral seems surprisingly, almost uncomfortably full. Where conventional wisdom would suggest stripped-down spare melodies and muted vocals, to represent loss, Arcade Fire opts for lush orchestras and swelling choruses. In the band’s alternative vision, the spirits of the dead—by turns protective and threatening— never truly pass on. Instead, they … Read more
In the age of online dating and Tinder, modern affection has become increasingly rationalized. No longer constrained by the numbers in our phonebook, we have access to more possible dates in a day than preceding generations could have in a lifetime. The idea that you could meet anyone, anywhere, is an invitation for the rationalist … Read more
This is the fourth installment of the Harvard Political Review‘s interview series with Massachusetts’ candidates for governor. Martha Coakley currently serves as the commonwealth’s attorney general. Harvard Political Review: As attorney general, you’ve been involved in a myriad of high-profile cases: not only the abortion buffer-zone case, but also the Supreme Court case concerning the Environmental … Read more
For college freshmen, August is move-in season. New comforter and desk lamp in tow, students move into the communities they have prepared for, and in some cases desperately envisioned, throughout their high school careers. Yet, after they are dropped off and left to enjoy the fruits of their hard work, students frequently lose their sense … Read more
On the eve of Argentina’s eighth default, the HPR’s Ignacio Sabate published an article questioning whether history was repeating itself in Argentina. Sabate, like countless writers before him, observed that Argentina’s long history of financial troubles could be proof that the country still “has not learned its lesson.” This portrayal of Argentina appeals to our … Read more
As the July 30 deadline approaches, the Argentinean government must broker a deal with foreign bondholders to pay more than $1.3 billion claimed by hedge funds, including NML Capital and Aurelius Management in order to avoid defaulting on its debt. If Argentina fails to reach an agreement with these firms, it will experience its eighth … Read more
With what feels like a new mass shooting occurring every few weeks, Americans all along the political spectrum are trying to tease out a solution to our homicide epidemic. Both sides—those who believe stricter gun control laws will decrease the incidence of gun-related homicide, and those who believe looser regulations will—have cited studies and created … Read more
At Harvard, we rarely indulge in reading for leisure or writing for its own sake. The stress of the academic environment can leave students feeling sapped of the time, energy, and inspiration needed to engage in forms of creative expression. Given that these same students have also become accustomed to operating within a system that … Read more
While any leadership change should shepherd in an exciting period of anticipation and buzz surrounding the potential of the new leader, the appointment of Maggie Williams to the directorship of the Institute of Politics this Thursday is particularly significant. As an African-American woman, Williams is the first person of color and only the second woman … Read more
“I would have an enormous tower built just for myself, where I can oversee the entire concentration camp and gleefully watch [women] all die…If I can’t have them, no one will…Women represent everything that is unfair in this world, and in order to make this world a fair place, women must be eradicated.” This is … Read more