Entries by Jeffrey Ian Ross

Social Media’s Never-Ending Replacement of Substance with Spectacle

A bare-chested man with dreadlocks skateboards through Adams Morgan (Washington, DC), an iguana perched on his shoulder, and a selfie stick extending from his hand. A young woman rides the New York City subway with a large snake draped around her neck, and numerous riders crowd around taking videos with their smartphones. What are We […]

What Happens When Musicians Step Outside Their Genre?

Across the arts, new genres continually emerge. Some gain traction and become part of the mainstream, while others disappear after a brief moment of interest. Behind the scenes, some creative people integrate these new forms into their work, while others experiment briefly before returning to more familiar styles. In music, for example, talented musicians are […]

The Semiotics of Laptop Computer Covers

Since people started using laptops, they’ve put stickers, DIY art, and protective sleeves on them. More than decoration, these additions often reflect identity, belonging, and belief. While individuals may not always think deeply about their choices, every sign, symbol, slogan, or design affixed to a laptop cover tells a story. Laptops as Modern-Day Bumper Stickers […]

My Students Are Afraid, and They Have Good Reason

At my university and at many others across the U.S., students, faculty, and staff are deeply concerned about Trump’s plans to shut down the Department of Education (DOE). During the first few weeks of his second term, Trump signaled his intention to eliminate the DOE, which experts dismissed as unconstitutional and would harm a large […]

Reflections on the 30th Anniversary of CONTROLLING STATE CRIME

Three decades ago one of my first books, Controlling State Crime (1995) was published by Garland. This edited volume was, in part, a response to Gregg Barak’s Crimes of the Capitalist State (1991), an edited collection that brought together critical research on state crime. While Barak and his contributors effectively framed key debates on the […]