Thresher Presents: What's hip now
The Menil's Infinity Machine
NPR's Invisibilia
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="a9c5f774-b209-11e4-bc00-e36b33c6185a"}}
In a phrase: “Jogging entertainment for science and psych nerds.”
Where to find it: npr.com; can also download from iTunes.
I can never run without something in my ears — my drowning-elephant-level panting makes the outer loop feel like a three-mile version of the Mojave desert. That said, I think I’d rather fork out my eyeballs than listen to the Top 40 on repeat for a half-hour.
Thankfully, I lucked out with Invisibilia, an hour-long NPR podcast that meshes together cutting-edge science, NPR witty intellectual charm and a touch of sentimentality. The two extremely likable hosts, Lulu Miller and Alix Spiegel, focus on a theme, like “Entanglement,” and relate it to the workings of the human brain through a series of real-life stories and discussions with academia about breakthroughs in science, psychology and technology. It comes together in a way that is both stimulating and consumable; and the easy accessibility through NPR or iTunes makes it a pleasurable addition to a walk from West Lot or inner loop bus ride.
Postmates Food Delivery
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="30b59f32-b20a-11e4-b4ab-f7397197ed7c"}}
In a phrase: “Uber for food delivery.”
Where to find it: Postmates.com, or download the app off iTunes.
You’re sitting in your dorm room, it’s a Saturday night and you’re tired of people, but you still want a nice dinner. Also, caveat — you are sick and tired of pizza, and you have no car. Enter the neatest app I’ve seen yet, Postmates, which employs freelance couriers to bring you delicious, high-quality food from your favorite restaurants. All you have to do is select a restaurant (including Jus Mac, Crave Cupcakes and even Ruggles Green), pick out what you want and a nice guy or gal will bike or drive it over to you for a small fee. They don’t do every restaurant, and you may have to wait just a little bit, but hey, we’ll take it over stomaching Domino’s yet again.
HBO's "Togetherness"
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="5e29f102-b20a-11e4-b3d5-af9c29e21785"}}
In a phrase: “Something like a darker ‘Modern Family’ that’s been HBO-fied.”
Where to find it: HBO, or mooch off your friend’s HBOGO account.
The eccentric indie duo of brothers Jay Duplass (Jeff, Who Lives at Home) and Mark Duplass (“The League”) has put together an oddly warm little family drama that is weird enough to actually seem, well, believable. “Togetherness,” which just got renewed for a second season, tells the story of a young family with fairly standard issues (“Honey, why do we never have sex anymore?”) hosting a couple of not-so-welcome guests. Though at moments it oozes with warm fuzzies, the Duplasses use an appropriate amount of edge to distance the show from triteness, encouraging viewers to feel invested but never bored. Though only four episodes have been released so far, this seems to have the potential of becoming a little gem of a show worth giving a shot.
The Menil Collection's "Infinity Machine"
{{tncms-asset app="editorial" id="7c99426e-b20a-11e4-ae2e-eba2e5d83213"}}
In a phrase: “Spinning lights, space, chanting, mirrors.”
Where to find it: In the Byzantine Fresco Chapel by the Menil, in the Museum District.
Visiting the Menil is always a trippy experience, but if you go within the next couple of months, it may verge on surreal. Inside the newly renovated Byzantine Fresco Chapel right next to the main museum, Canadian artists Janet Cardiff and Georges Bures Miller have just installed their new absolutely overwhelming “Infinity Machine.” I don’t want to ruin the surprise, but let’s just put out a few buzzwords: ethereal sounds, over 150 rotating antique mirrors, NASA. Essentially, “Infinity” is designed to supply the effect of a hallucinogenic drug experience and a visit to MoMa. You’ll be moved, disoriented and see imaginary things — and you’ll be a little cooler for the whole thing.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications
Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77.
Students reject divestment proposals
The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda
Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed.
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.