Annals of Americus

State of Emergency, McDonald’s Edition

Matthew Newton — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:27:46 +0000

This is what post-election drama in the Rust Belt looks like:

The American flag is flying upside down and at half staff at a McDonald’s about 45 minutes outside of Pittsburgh, in Follansbee, WV. We’re told it was the owner’s decision, and we’re trying to track him down to find out his reasons. The pic here is obviously getting a

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Larry Clark: The Devil Down in Tulsa

Matthew Newton — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:00:25 +0000

was born in tulsa oklahoma in 1943. when i was sixteen i started shooting amphetamine. i shot with my friends everyday for three years and then left town but i’ve gone back through the years. once the needle goes in it never comes out.” -Larry Clark

We Are Doomed: The History Gap

Matthew Newton — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:54:46 +0000

“We are also focusing on how we select product designs in the future, and asking that our designers have a loose grasp of history. Or we are at least asking that they have the ability to conduct a successful Google search.”

Cash Rules Everything Around Me

Matthew Newton — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 11:19:13 +0000

Last week was a low point, both financially and mentally. Dropped $3000 in car repairs, which may very well be my financial undoing. Getting shaken down for this much money in the run up to the holidays doesn’t make the situation any better. So when a friend posted this image of vintage food stamps (pictured) on Facebook this morning, it reminded me how much my savings have depleted during the recession, and how close I live to the edge of potential poverty.

Politics in the Age of Nonsense

Matthew Newton — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:48:19 +0000

After last night's debate, I'm no longer undecided. The choice is clear.

The Angelic Vision of American Progress

Matthew Newton — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 11:31:29 +0000

America’s allegorical representative: An angel, stringing telegraph wires (and dislocating indigenous people).

The Future of Rap and Child Care

Matthew Newton — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:06:06 +0000

Children on leashes are the new accessory of choice for all strippers turned rappers.

The Death of Dickie Riley

Matthew Newton — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 13:39:16 +0000

Nearly two years ago, I wrote a short blog post that referenced photographer Peter B. Kaplan’s “Moon Over Manhattan” photograph (above) — which depicts a group of workers high atop the World Trade Center, installing a radio antenna. In the photograph, one of the men takes it upon himself to moon his coworkers.

The War on Drugs

Matthew Newton — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:35:10 +0000

The war on drugs: Last-ditch effort.

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Pittsburgh Renaissance: The Specter of Urban Renewal

Matthew Newton — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:22:18 +0000

Given the passage of time, and how the Pittsburgh Renaissance (1946-1973) and the destruction of the cultural institutions of the lower Hill District are viewed today, this 1960 Pittsburgh Press caption shows a skewed (but potentially widespread) sentiment: