Word: harmlessness
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...cultural and Islamic context into the inspirational discourse of non-parochial spirituality." Cut free from the ground of orthodox Islamic belief from which they grew, the Persian poet's lyrical reports from the outer fringes of mystical experience risk becoming mere souvenirs of a far-off time and place?harmless ecstatic bonbons that soothe and mirror contemporary Western tastes and sensibilities rather than potentially enlarging or changing them...
...Chicks--Maines, 27, and a pair of sisters, Emily Robison, 30, and Martie Maguire, 32 --are the most personable (and ribald) act in country music. As achievements go, this is like being the funniest guy in Belgium. Until recently, their breaches of country etiquette had the harmless air of cheerleaders caught smoking under the bleachers; they were rascals, but lovable rascals. After all, they moved tons of records, and their music was built around traditional country instruments (dobro, fiddle, mandolin) that they played themselves. But then the Chicks went from rascals to rebels: they sued their record company...
Shoe marketers trying to reach trendsetting young urban males have discovered a fact long known by any weary eighth-grade teacher: guys love a troublemaker. Celebrity endorsers typically have been squeaky-clean family men like Cal Ripken Jr. or harmless rebels like long-haired Andre Agassi. But today's sneaker ads often showcase figures known as much for alleged misdeeds as for their accomplishments. When a company attaches its brand to these antiheroes, "it's a way of saying, 'We're in touch with somebody who is street real,'" says Rick Burton, professor of sports marketing at the University...
...obsession, Asians are overgrazing the smorgasbord of weight-loss products and "miracle" diet aids, ranging from "fat-reducing" pressurized boots to expensive massage regimens. Nobody knows how many are buying untested products of dubious efficacy?certainly consumers number in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. At their most harmless, the products are a waste of time, money and good intentions. Some, however, are proving to be deadly. Over the past two years, seven women in Japan, Singapore and China have died due to the toxicity of the substances they ingested in the hope of shedding offending kilograms. From differing...
...Gill essay, in which the New Yorker theater critic proposed the superiority of fellation to cunnilingus as a visual trope in porn films.) "Deep Throat," which had opened the previous summer, was the "Immoral Mr. Teas" of hard-core: a gimmick comedy photographed in cheery primary colors and rendered harmless (and popular) by the amiable mugging of star Harry Reems, the Groucho of sex films...