Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation Book Review

It’s no secret that the internet has changed our world. But it has also revealed dark corners can be quite scary.

The New Yorker’s Andrew Marantz’s new book is entitled Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation. The book explores how those who he has deemed the “gate crashers” have purloined both the internet and traditional forms of media to share their perspective with the world. Marantz also gains one on one access with those who would share their views and goes into the psychology that drives them to think that way.

What strikes about this book and the subjects of this book is that it reminds the reader that hate and prejudice are alive and well. These people are not the anonymous loners who are making comments behind a screen name just to get attention. If given access to power, they have serious potential to upend this country and everything that we hold dear.

I recommend it.

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Frozen II Movie Review

Six years ago, when Frozen was released into theaters, it was a phenomenon beyond phenomenons.

Last weekend, Frozen II hit theaters.

Elsa (Idina Menzel) is firmly installed as Queen of Arendelle. Anna (Kristen Bell) and Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) are still going strong. But as things return to normal, Elsa is called away from Arendelle by a mysterious voice that she cannot ignore. With Anna and Kristoff, Elsa, Olaf (Josh Gad) and Sven go on a journey to discover the source of the voice and the unanswered mystery of their family’s past.

While most sequels are decent, they do not hold up to their predecessor. Frozen II not only holds up to its predecessor, it exceeds all expectations. Though this film is firmly aimed at children, there is more than enough material for the adults to be entertained. There are themes of growing up, dealing with change and moving away from relationships that were once considered unquestionably important.

I recommend it.

Frozen II is presently in theaters.