Tal Pinchevsky
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Men’s Underwear Shows Us the Economy is Rebounding
When it comes to gauging exactly how the economy is faring, the long-held method has been to look towards the bare necessities. Turns out they don’t get much more bare than underwear. A theory first expressed in the spring when the economy was truly spiraling, the recent expansion of the men’s underwear industry could be telling us that the economy is on its way back. Read More
November 19, 2009 | In Business & Economics
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Can Buffalo Chicken Save the City that Bears its Name?
You’ve probably tasted it. You may have even liked it. And if you did, you weren’t alone. But as Buffalo Chicken becomes one of America’s favorite snacks, the city for which it was named has been experiencing dire economic times. Can a troubled region slow to see any traction from the government’s fiscal stimulus harness the awesome power of Buffalo chicken wings? Read More
November 15, 2009 | In Business & Economics
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How One Football Star Exposed the Workplace Hazard that is Twitter
It’s startling to think that a six-foot one-inch, 230-pound football star can be undone by 140 little characters, but that’s exactly what happened to Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson. Upset by his team’s poor performance, Johnson lashed out against his coach in a hate-filled Twitter post that got him suspended and then released by the team. It’s the most high-profile instance of something people have been murmuring about for a few months, being fir… Read More
November 11, 2009 | In Media & Internet
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Finally, Proof That You’d Be a Fantastic Benevolent Dictator
Monday morning quarterbacks aren’t restricted to sports. The world is full of backseat drivers. And when it comes to how a country is run, there are plenty to choose from. While many a person has speculated how wrathful their very own administration might be, a new game finally gives people the opportunity to find out for sure. Read More
November 4, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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The Search for a Good Chant to Promote National Unity
National unity can be a very elusive concept, even in a country like the United States (just ask anyone at a healthcare reform town hall). Then again, anyone who has ever lived in a war-torn country can tell you that. But there’s nothing like a good sports chant to bring people together. And that is why some countries are working to find a chant all their own. Read More
October 29, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Did Ivy Leaguers Suddenly Lose Their Sense of Humor?
They may be known for the quality (and cost) of their education, but over the past three decades graduates from America’s Ivy League school’s have formed the foundation of contemporary comedy, essentially shaping what people today consider funny. But after producing, creating, and writing some of their generation’s breakthrough comedies, Ivy Leaguers may have started moving more towards the realms of technology and politics, where a sense of humor isn’t necessarily the same kind of prerequisite. Read More
October 23, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Is Ford’s F-Series Truck the Latest Symbol of America’s Enduring Spirit?
America has a long and storied history with Ford Motor’s F-Series pickup truck. Sold in America for over 60 years the line of pickups hasn’t just been a longtime symbol of Americana and its iron-clad glory. It’s also been the country’s top-selling vehicle (not truck, vehicle) for 23 years and top-selling truck for 31 years. But with its U.S. market share shrinking and Ford struggling, how analogous is the F-Series to America’s next great comeback? Read More
October 21, 2009 | In Identity
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The United Arab Emirates Latest Experiment with Western Culture: Hockey
No government has done more to modernize their society by introducing more Western culture than the United Arab Emirates. The emirate of Dubai alone has already introduced the desert to indoor skiing, the world’s largest shopping mall, and a Tiger Woods-endorsed golf resort. Now one Canada-loving Emirati has taken the first necessary step in realizing his dream of global UAE hockey dominan… Read More
October 17, 2009 | In Politics & Policy
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The Hidden Adult Themes of "Where the Wild Things Are"
It’s an absolute fixture in children’s libraries worldwide and upon its publication in 1963 was awarded the Caldecott Medal, a distinguished award given to the year’s best picture book for children as decided by the Association for Library Service to Children. In the years since, it has inspired countless toys and child… Read More
October 16, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Canada Embraces Globalization Through its Two Most-Cherished Hockey Teams
There aren’t a lot of things still considered sacred in Canada. There’s hockey and… well, there’s hockey. And when it comes to the country’s two most-historic National Hockey League franchises, countless Canadians are coming to terms with the changing multicultural face of their people. If only the teams weren’t losing. Read More
October 14, 2009 | In World
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Should America Teach the World that Blackface is Incredibly Offensive?
Over the past decade, there’s been a wide consensus in the Western world that blackface makeup and other takes on old, racist minstrel iconography is no longer acceptable. In the odd case in which Americans have momentarily forgotten that fact, retribution has been swift and overwhelming. But certain cultural differences (most of which we won’t try to understand) have kept the ancient and largely ignorant practice alive in other parts of the world. Read More
October 13, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Are Criminal Masterminds Getting Dumber or Just Lazier?
Their stories and misadventures have inspired some of Hollywood’s greatest films. They are the hucksters, burglars, and schemers whose love for taking risks and search for outrageous fortune made them legends. But after a sudden 1990s resurgence of criminal genius, the standard for bold, high-profile robbery has dropped precipitously. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it’s not great either. Read More
October 9, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Jewish Boxers Experience an Unexpected Renaissance
Despite prevailing ethnic stereotypes, the boxing ring used to be a prominent arena for a number of dominant Jewish fighters. In a history that has been noticed mostly by boxing purists, Jewish fighters like Benny Leonard and Barney Ross emphatically represented their people by absolutely dominating the boxing ring. In the wake of the death of perhaps history’s greatest unknown Semitic slugger, Jews are suddenly making their mark once again in the sweet science. Read More
October 7, 2009 | In Belief
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Led By Its Smokiest Province, Canada Goes After Big Tobacco
After all the debates over the efficacy of Canadian health care, the Canadian government is pursuing a unique track in cutting the costs and easing some of the burden placed on its universal health care system. Despite some obvious drawbacks, most notably a potential hit to the tourist industry, Canadian government at the federal and provincial levels are taking an aggressive stance against the tobacco industry and the constraints they’ve place on nationalized health care. Read More
October 6, 2009 | In Health & Medicine
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Five Years Later, the Ansari X PRIZE Takes its Incentive Model to the Next Level
It wasn’t greeted with the kind of fanfare it may have deserved, but five years ago when the $10-million Ansari X PRIZE was awarded, it helped usher in a new personal spaceflight industry. Five years to the day the original prize was awarded on October 4th, 2004, the minds behind the competition are taking their incentivized approach to innovation and expanding into a number of other important areas. Read More
October 5, 2009 | In Science & Tech
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Can Extortion Make Us All More Candid About Infidelity?
It’s happened three times in the last three months. A high-profile and hugely-successful man comes forward to admit to dalliances outside his marriage. The first was legendary basketball coach Rick Pitino, followed in short order this week by both Senator John Ensign and talk-show host David Letterman. Their inspiration in each case? Being shaken down for big bucks. Read More
October 2, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Not Just a Comic Book, Graphic Novels Teach us History
Long considered an extension of a world populated by characters with capes, superpowers, and bad nicknames, the graphic novel has suddenly become the go-to vehicle for recounting history. It could be a welcome resource, considering the potential changes in America’s educational curriculum. But don’t look for any capes in these books. Read More
October 1, 2009 | In Politics & Policy
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The G20: An Introduction to New Non-Lethal Police Technology
It’s mostly been examined as the nexus of the world’s wealthiest nations and drawn some skepticism for being hosted in Pittsburgh. But the recent G20 Summit, also saw enough protesters that police forces were apparently bused in from as far away as Arizona and Florida. For most of the protestors, particularly the 200 who were arrested, it was an up-close introduction to some Read More
September 30, 2009 | In Science & Tech
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Is Hugo Chavez Ready for his Hollywood Close-Up?
While last week’s United Nations General Assembly hosted a variety of world leaders espousing divergent messages, the sprawling diplomatic forum hosted one leader who could become Hollywood’s newest darling. And in perhaps a shocking change of pace, it’s not President Barack Obama. Yes, despite some of his unpopular ideas, Hugo Chavez is ready to become a movie star. Read More
September 29, 2009 | In Arts & Culture
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Elmo Teaching Peaceful Coexistence to the Leaders of Tomorrow
If there’s anyone who understands the travails of being different, it’s Kermit the Frog, who shared with the world the difficulties of being green. Now Kermit’s Muppet colleagues are teaching children in high-conflict areas that we can all look beyond our differences and peacefully co-exist in a region plagued by hate. Read More
September 24, 2009 | In Politics & Policy
Tal Pinchevsky is a Canadian writer who first moved to New York in 2001 to work for Gear Magazine, an ultimately-doomed men's lifestyle publication founded by Bob Guccione Jr. A McGill University graduate, he has since worked as an editor and freelance journalist covering everything from sports to real estate to consumer electronics for a variety of publications, including the New York Times, ESPN, New York Post, Blender, and Minyanville.com.
