Joseph Allen

Joseph Allen climbs steel structures and solves math equations for a living—typically at the behest of appalling pop bands. It is a labor of love amid objects of contempt. His spare time is split between reading, writing, and more recently, mountaineering.
Hate Cries![]() The Disgust ReflexApril 03, 2017 My friends on the far right see Marxists under every bed. But that’s crazy, |
Diversity Training![]() T.G.I. FridroidsMay 13, 2014 Recruitment software start-up Entelo just released a brave new product: |
Hollywood![]() No Room on the ArkApril 03, 2014 Darren Aronofsky’s Noah accomplishes what any great myth should: it |
Deep Thoughts![]() No Light at the End of the CosmosMarch 18, 2014 There is no magic in the new Cosmos—no angels or demons, no dragons in Eden, |
Modern Weapons![]() Learning to Laugh at StereotypesMarch 13, 2014 Of all the millions of ways to be an asshole, the status quo regards |
Pop Music![]() Mr. Waters, Tear Down Your Own Wall!July 07, 2012 I watched Pink Floyd’s trippy rock opera The Wall on VHS at least a dozen |
Low Life![]() Losers at the Game of LifeApril 28, 2012 People often compare video gamers to crackheads, but that’s unfair. Crackheads |
Evolution![]() Pop Evolution: The New EvangelicalismApril 20, 2012 Did life evolve by purely natural processes? Could random mutation and natural |
Cultural Caviar![]() Fundamental Contradictions About EasterApril 07, 2012 “What day did Jesus die on?” my friend asked. “It was on Christmas, |
Tech Overload![]() Google GogglesApril 02, 2012 As if smart phones weren’t irritating enough, by the end of the year people |
Takimag Classic![]() Race: Real and SurrealMarch 23, 2012 I tried to go into the 2012 American Renaissance conference without prejudice, |
Pop Music![]() Jesus Returns (in a Tour Bus)March 18, 2012 Christian rock is just like any other music that sucks, except it’s played for |
Wild Things![]() Thar’s Meth in Them Thar HillsMarch 12, 2012 Two years ago Oak Ridge, TN housed the world’s fastest supercomputer. Even |
Tech Overload![]() Smash Nomophobia!March 05, 2012 Nomophobia, or “no-mobile-phobia,” sounds as stupid as luposlipaphobia. At |
Pop Music![]() The Boredom of WhoredomSeptember 11, 2011 A good woman is hard to find, especially if you’re a rigger. That’s my job, |
Cultural Caviar![]() Male Gays and the Male GazeJuly 15, 2011 It’s amazing what a man will do for love. To please my girlfriend, I recently |
Manhunt![]() Election Eve 2008: A Bad Night to be White in HarlemNovember 17, 2010 Two years ago, I was invited to an Election Eve party in Harlem. I found New |
Tech Overload![]() Cybershark Feeding FrenzyOctober 20, 2010 The perverse coupling of surveillance and exhibitionism forms a cornerstone of |
Culture Clash![]() Beyond the Burqa: America’s Role in Regulating TasteSeptember 29, 2010 France’s recent “Burqa Ban” has provoked all the global indignation and |
Death of Rock 'n' Roll![]() Bonnaroo: From Harmless Hippie Fest to Corporate ScamJune 21, 2010 In a perfect world, we would be stuffed together in plastic tents under the hot |
Pop Music![]() Why I Quit Touring with The Black Eyed PeasMay 19, 2010 Last year I toured with the Black Eyed Peas on their Japan/Australia run. It |