Undisciplined: A New UEA PG Journal Seeks Submissions

By Neekta Khorsand

Undisciplined is an online-based postgraduate journal started this semester by none other than myself for the purpose of creating community among UEA PGs across disciplines while also providing a platform through which PGs (taught and research) can express themselves whether academically or creatively in areas that their research or focus may not necessarily allow. Centering itself around themes, Undisciplined's first theme is "Dissent." Submissions can take nearly any form so long as it relates to the theme and hasn't been published elsewhere. The deadline for submission is December 15, 2011. Feel free to contact me by email with any questions: n.khorsand@uea.ac.uk.

"Helplessness Blues" And The Burden of American Individualism

By Neekta Khorsand

"Helplessness Blues" by Fleet Foxes -- Soundcloud

The title track of Fleet Foxes’ sophomore album*, “Helplessness Blues,” is a series of contradictory statements and questions uncomfortably abandoned in the last line. However, its opening lines are ones to which many Americans, regardless of generation, can relate. Lead vocalist and songwriter for Fleet Foxes, Robin Pecknold sings, “I was raised up believing I was somehow unique/ Like a snowflake distinct among snowflakes, unique in each way you can see.” In less than 25 words, Pecknold has summarized an aspect of the American tradition of exceptionalism. Granted, the 25-year-old musician is a product of his generation, one raised under the careful and attentive mode of parenting in which adults applaud and praise even the slightest of achievements and encourage kids to wholly be “themselves.” Born exactly a year after Pecknold (we share the same birthday), I was raised within this same mindset and distinctly remember the plethora of uplifting stickers my teachers placed on horrendous drawings and scrawls. Pecknold’s words reflect not only a generational focus on the incredible value placed upon the self within American culture but that focus as a continuation of the longstanding American identity as one of deep individualism.

Extreme Right-Wing Pundits Love Steve Almond’s Latest Much To The Confusion Of, Uh, Everyone

By Neekta Khorsand

Steve Almond, beloved DIY-publishing, bad-poetry-writing, experimental “candy freak,” is releasing a new book entitled God Bless America at the end of October of “comic and forlorn” short stories about the United States and its many delights. Much to Almond’s bewilderment--and that of many others--his book has been touted by members of the right wing extreme & Fox News pundits—most notably, teddy bear lookalike Glenn Beck. Almond explains the whole situation in the trailer video for his book.