The purpose of dialogue is not to carry information about the "character." The only reason people speak is to get what they want. In film or on the street, people who describe themselves to you are lying. Here is the difference: In the bad film, the fellow says, "hello, Jack, I'm coming over to your home this evening because I need to get the money you borrowed from me." In the good film, he says, "where the hell were you yesterday?"

Some years back I picked up a copy of David Mamet's On Directing Film. A slender volume but worth the cost for this one paragraph

But doesn’t it deploy the stereotype that women are caregivers? I accept that it doesn’t do so in terms (and that the disparate impact analysis is more appropriate) but a law of the kind Sotomayor describes could never do so in terms. (Not that I assume she is trying to overrule Washington v Davis)

What if one were to take your eg of doctors and nurses but instead of imposing a dress code the law gave more parental leave to nurses than, say, surgeons? That law is likely animated by gender stereotypes but could the state find another facially plausible justification (eg minimising wait times)?

I think I missed the part where Justice Thomas “argues” that experts have been influenced by ideology. He simply asserts it. There is also a conspicuous absence of citation for the alleged “recent revelations”. Might we conclude that Justice Thomas has allowed ideology to affect his analysis?

Go Big Red!

Abandoning trans people is 'fascist logic', says leading feminist philosopher Leading feminist philosopher Judith Butler has declared that abandoning trans people or any minority is operating within 'fascist logic'.

“Once you decide that a single vulnerable minority can be sacrificed, you’re operating within a fascist logic,” they said. “That means there might be a second one you’re willing to sacrifice and a third, a fourth. Then what happens?”

This is one of your best

An interesting hypothetical if you’re wondering if Elon Musk is a genius or not is to compare his behaviour in any situation to what a complete moron would do in the same situation

Best of Australian reading in 2024 Meanjin writers share their favourite books of 2024.

The @meanjin.bsky.social online reviews section is back for 2025! This month, I asked avid readers & critics @claresmillar.bsky.social @nedhirst.bsky.social @clairecao.bsky.social & Sonia Nair what their favourite Ozlit books were in 2024. Read on: meanjin.com.au/latest/best-...

It was a pleasure to write about some great Australian books for @meanjin.bsky.social (and to make my first post away from the Badlands)