After years creating politically minded art in secret, Banksy is apparently going to reveal himself at a meet-and-greet event in New York, where he will paint people’s faces… At least, that’s what this Facebook group wants us to believe. It has been denied — so far as anything Banksy-related can be denied — and has become some sort of weird internet joke. Even if it hadn’t been, the crappy copy and conservatively dressed (at least, compared to what one might expect) dude with the mild smile pictured on the page do not inspire confidence.
The only interesting thing to come out this whole debacle is Vice‘s interview with Michael Whatley, the previously described dude, whose photo just happens to be one of Google’s top image search results for phrase “average man.”
One of the many requirements of maintaining an average, plain, unoffensive image is keeping a lid on your swearing. Luckily, musicians who have trouble with this —or, more likely, enjoy swearing language but also need DJs to play their music on the radio— can always commission a “clean” radio version of their singles. NPR has an interesting story, available in audio and text, about the radio-edit business, including some basic techniques, and wise words from Joel Mullis, who cleaned up The Yin Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song),” which automatically makes him a master of the form.
Damon Lindelof worked as Scott Rudin’s assistant for less than an hour. As the latest speaker in The Hollywood Reporter ‘s “Hollywood Masters” interview series, The Leftovers showrunner discussed living in and out of J.J. Abrams’ shadow, struggling with deep depression while working on Lost and, of course, early career highlights like his near-hour working for Mr. Rudin.
“At 17 minutes, I didn’t even have the record,” Lindelof told the audience at Loyola Marymount University. “Preface this by saying though, I would still work with the guy again; it was an honor to be [fired].”
Former McSweeney’s editor Eli Horowitz’s latest novel, The Pickle Index, is not your average book. The hardcover edition is actually two books —one with words and another with pictures. Though it will be released in more conservative paperback and e-book formats, it will be available as a time-release app on smartphones and tablets, which sends readers sections of the book over the course of 10 days.
A longform profile from Buzzfeed explains why, despite finding traditional success (his last novel, The Silent History, is being adapted into a TV show for AMC), Horowitz is committed to pushing the boundaries of storytelling.
You know what helps lead us to boundary-bending states of mind? Sleep deprivation. Of all the drinks, pills and substances you can use to keep yourself awake, few inspire the same kind of terror and confusion as the energy drink.
Since there are notable chemical distinctions between many brands, it’s hard to make any blanket statements about energy drinks, even when answering simple questions like, “Are energy drinks dangerous?” or “Can I get addicted to them?”
Lifehacker has consulted an expert and done its darnedest to discern facts from half-truths. I hate to break it you: even if there’s no concrete evidence, it sounds you should put the Red Bull down and just accept that you need a good night’s sleep.