Word: topicalism
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This is a particularly critical time for what are known as the fine arts, which lately had become more famous for being the coarse arts--using sensation to attract controversy and attention. Now contemporary art's taste for shock value looks puerile, and its major topic of discussion--itself--seems hideously irrelevant...
Urban crime and the line-crossing police officers who control it have always been a hot topic. The issue is visited once again in Warner Brother’s film Training Day, a new morality tale exploring the substantial gray area that sits astride undercover law enforcement and the streets. Written by South Central Los Angeles native David Ayer, it is no coincidence that this film connotes the Rampart Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, whose misbehavior has been chronicled in recent years by Rolling Stone and other publications. It is also no coincidence that the dramatic Denzel Washington...
Around the nation, the much-anticipated episode was met with huge ratings and huge amounts of criticism. A record 25.2 million people tuned in to witness fictional television’s first attempt at tackling the sensitive topic. However, most newspaper and magazine critics denounced the episode as preachy and self-important, blatantly preaching the simplistic, pro-America propoganda that in some cases has given rise to anti-Arab seniments...
...Current American Presidency teaching fellow Bill Burke-White is a long-time fan of the show and felt that the episode lived up to his expectations. “I was a little bit concerned that they were going to do a special episode on it because the topic was so sensitive,” he admitted. However, he continued, “I was very pleased. Aaron Sorkin succeeded in producing an episode that was very powerful yet respectful of the tragedy...
...West Wing will not be the last television show to address the topic of terrorism in America. Another NBC drama, Third Watch, has already planned to incorporate the subject into its upcoming episodes. However, no other series will be afforded the kind of opportunity West Wing had. By virtue of the show’s political nature, it was able to use its airtime to address many of the questions that are relevant right now. Whether or not one agrees with the opinions set forth by The West Wing, ideas and discussion are an intrinsic part of our nation...