So Malcolm Gladwell shows up at Town Hall and asks the audience which talk they'd like: a long, in-depth talk with minimal Q&A; a medium-sized, generic talk with lengthier Q&A; or all Q&A. The event is sold out with people who have all paid $5 to hear Gladwell speak, but only three or four people raise their hands for the first option. Everyone else votes for the chance to hear themselves speak once Gladwell gets through with whatever he plans to go on about. more ›

Naturally Slavoj Žižek, whose inner cultural critic wins equal time from his inner philosopher, spiced his Town Hall talk last night with cinematic references, in particular, The Dark Knight. After seeing that (and Kung Fu Panda five times, thanks to his "small degenerate son"), he was disturbed by the message that it's noble to lie on behalf of power, to protect it. more ›