cultural commentary Archives - Postcards from The Pug Bus

Quantum superposition collapses as a man opens his drawer and discovers a sock with a grapefruit-sized hole.

Observation confirms the sock is no longer under warranty.

Quantum Superposition Explains Household Phenomena

Quantum superposition is the theory that a particle can occupy several states at once until somebody measures it, thereby forcing nature to stop being mysterious,… Read More

Winning at solitaire gets suspicious as a sly player manipulates real cards while keeping a digital solitaire game open on his computer.

Victory is sweeter when the appeals process is handled entirely in-house.

Culture

Underhanded Guide to Winning at Solitaire

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 2 weeks

Winning at solitaire, whether played with actual cards or on a screen, requires discipline, discretion, and the ability to think like both a criminal and… Read More

Dolly Parton's breasts are remembered in a sentimental memorial tribute featuring her portrait, flowers, candlelight, rhinestones, and a keepsake.

A touching memorial to two enormous contributors to American culture.

Culture

Dolly Parton’s Breasts Remembered Fondly by Her Peers

Chip Hilton cultural commentary 2 weeks

As tributes continue to pour in following the death of Dolly Parton at eighty, friends, fellow entertainers, and country music historians are paying homage to… Read More

American Dream tollbooth charges drivers extra fees for basic, plus and premium plans in a satirical cartoon about modern life and opportunity.

The American Dream is still free. Processing the dream is $14.99 a month.

Culture

The American Dream Has Added Additional Fees

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 3 weeks

Although the American Dream remains available, economists report that several features once included with the basic package now require additional payment. Life remains complimentary, but… Read More

Is Rhetoric Dead? A satirical funeral scene mourns the art of persuasion as Ethos, Pathos, Logos and Irony gather beside Rhetoric’s open casket.

Rhetoric’s funeral was well attended.

Culture

Is Rhetoric Dead? A Rhetorical Question

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 4 weeks

Is rhetoric dead? Early reports indicate that the ancient art of persuading people with language rather than simply shouting at them until somebody leaves died… Read More

Arthur surveys driveway clutter while rearranging the garage, convinced every box, broken tool and useless relic has found its perfect place.

After four hours, Arthur successfully reorganized the garage into the exact mess it had been before.

Culture

Local Man Rearranging the Garage Achieves Total Equilibrium

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 1 month

Arthur Monroe, a sixty-two-year-old retired metric conversion consultant, stepped into his single-car garage at seven on Saturday morning with a cup of coffee and a… Read More

A passionate Phish fan animatedly explains why the live Phish song "Tweezer" from Red Rocks is superior to every other version while a weary coffee shop companion listens.

The conversation was only ten minutes long. By his account, the guitar solo lasted eighteen.

Culture

Local Man Only Plays Live Version of Phish Song “Tweezer”

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 1 month

Area resident Dennis Kowalczyk, 34, eagerly explains–without being asked–why the only version of the Phish song “Tweezer” he listens to is the one he heard… Read More

Bill Wyman carefully updating a sprawling spreadsheet at a cluttered desk, imagining Bill Wyman as rock's most meticulous record keeper.

Inside every legendary rock star lurks someone wondering whether this belongs in Column G.

Culture

Bill Wyman’s Mysterious Spreadsheet: A Rolling Stone Gathers Moss?

T.J. Eckleburg cultural commentary 2 months

On January 15, 1967, the Rolling Stones appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. Under pressure from CBS, they changed the lyrics of “Let’s Spend the… Read More

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