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Opinion
Plague of Viral Memes?
Two new books look at familiar, diverting facets of life online. Scott McLemee tries to garner them some attention.
Opinion
McGinn, Again
A philosopher known for scorched-earth polemics has made himself a bit more notorious. Scott McLemee considers the perils of paraphrase.
Opinion
Persona Grata
An eminent professor of writing offers readers instruction in the secret arts of the persona. Scott McLemee looks behind the mask.
Opinion
Rich People's Movements
It's the 100th anniversary of the income tax -- and a new book describes repeated efforts to repeal or blunt it. Scott McLemee finds the story moving.
Opinion
'Learn to Write Badly'
Sociologist's new book explores time-tested techniques for avoiding potentially inconvenient risk of being understood. Scott McLemee foregrounds the opportunity spaces for discursive practice.
Opinion
Passing English
Long forgotten, J. Redding Ware was a philologist of slang and detective-fiction pioneer. Scott McLemee looks into Ware Studies.
Opinion
The Unforgotten
A newly translated book ponders and celebrates archival research. Scott McLemee thinks it's a classic.