What Is This? Why Read It?

Everything is culture (even “nature”).  So we might as well look into it.  Like, really look into it.  Rant Against the Regime takes that hard look—not just at culture but, likewise, at interesting ways to think about culture.

What sort of cultural stuff are we taking a hard look at?

All sorts.  Movies, politics, current events, literature, media, social issues/practices/beliefs of every stripe, education, money, language, sports, advertising, technology, whatever is coming at us over all these streaming services nowadays.  You know: Culture.  No real limits on the stuff.

What kinds of “interesting ways” are we talking about?

Only really interesting and different ways to look at culture.  Some you might be familiar with.  Others you’ve never heard of before.  Some that will be right up your alley.  Others that you might despise.  A few so off-the-wall that you’ll be scratching your head.  We’ll see.  Keep reading.

Why keep reading?

Because, arguably, a valuable mental habit to develop is identifying and questioning all the things we tend to take for granted.  All the so-called “normal.”  Why don’t we think about this stuff?  Are we just lazy or naïve or gullible or self-satisfied?  Or are there other factors at play?  Factors suggesting a darker side to the question?  Might there be artful persuasion involved?  Active training?  Maybe even some muscular prohibition?  Hmm.  What is it that keeps us in our restricted thinking lanes?

What Will You Get?

Every Wednesday a post will come your way.  That post will consist of three parts.

A bit of cultural theory

First, I’ll explain some specific and thought-provoking approach to exploring culture.  These descriptions will be to-the-point and not loaded with jargon.  Think of it as user-friendly theory—but not dumbed-down theory.

Applying this bit of cultural theory

Next, I’ll put to use the approach to culture just outlined.  This application will come in the form of investigating a specific cultural item or event or circumstance (for examples, the film Don’t Look Up or the release of Brittney Griner from Russian prison or how a sale convinces you that you’re saving money by spending money).  The point here is to demonstrate how any given analytic method works.  You know, theory meets practice.

So what?

Finally, I’ll make a case for why this specific approach to culture is significant.  That is, what can it reveal about us and our society that’s important?  Why might we care to look at culture through this particular lens?  My aim here—and for Rant Against the Regime as a whole—is not to tell anyone what to think (although, to be sure, my opinions about things certainly will be on display).  Instead, my goal is to provide readers with an assortment of ways how to think about culture.  Then the rest is up to you.  Think of it as opening up a critical toolbox.

Why have such a toolbox?  One word: CITIZENSHIP.  We are not just employers or employees or unemployed.  We are not just sellers or consumers or unhoused.  Like it or not, we are members of a social order.  And citizens need to think about and be active in their civilization.  Theory is an extremely effective way to do that—and that’s why certain powerful factions in this country don’t want you understanding or applying cultural theories of any kind.

Why is this stuff for free? Why no paid subscriptions?

I’m just launching this Substack publication.  Until there is a “there” here, I’ve no business charging anybody for it.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m part of the American 99%, so I can use the cash.  But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Who Me?

I’m a professor of literature and cultural studies.  I have been for a long time.  I’ve taught a lot of classes and published a good amount of scholarly stuff.  Now it’s time for some smart fun.

Among my course titles are things like “Mayhem,” “Postmodern Monsters,” “Satire in Theory and Practice,” “Sex Comedy!,” “The Literature of Work,” and “When Are We Going to Stop Lying to Our Students?”  This last one is an introductory course in literary and cultural theory that my more old-school colleagues have never been, well, particularly fond of—maybe because the class always fills immediately.  At my university, I’ve won the teaching award and held a named professorship.

On the publication side, I’ve written about satire, popular culture, comedy, monsters, education, economic issues, presidential elections, aging, and a good deal on 17th- and 18th-century British literature and society.  My approach to these topics has always been as—to use a term from the academic biz—a cultural materialist.  That means, basically, two things: show me the cultural context; show me the cultural power.  That’s just how I approach the world.

The good folks at Substack recommend that on this page I say something endearing about myself.  Here goes.

I’ve been married to my college boo thang for 44 years.  We have three super snazzy kiddos and two extra snazzy grandkiddos.  I was the two-time junior croquet champion of Idaho.  (Not really.)  My favorite meal is a breakfast of ranch style French toast, hash browns, and bacon at Angie’s Diner (“Where The Locals Eat”) in Logan, Utah (coffee comes with refills).  I lived in Ohio for decades and recently escaped to live in the gorgeously blue state of California.  One of my favorite memories is camping with my daughter in Yosemite Valley, spending each chilly morning playing backgammon and drinking coffee next to the campfire.  I’m on a 440-day streak learning Spanish on Duolingo.  (¡A mí me encanta aprender español en mi computadora!)  My mac-and-cheese is world renowned and features a top-secret ingredient.  (It’s nutmeg!)

Maybe a few things that could be considered more tangibly interesting about me are these.  I was fortunate to do my doctoral work at Oxford University in England.  What an amazing experience.  Before I became a professional egghead, I played several years of professional basketball in Switzerland and Germany.  What an amazing experience.  I was born and spent my early childhood years in Pocatello, Idaho.  What an experience.

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