Entries by Jeffrey Ian Ross

The Continuing Relevance of Gil Scott-Heron’s “Winter in America”

One of my favorite songs is Gil Scott-Heron’s Winter in America. Released in 1974, in the wake of the Vietnam War and as the Watergate scandal unraveled the Nixon presidency, it captured a national mood of disillusionment and political fatigue. The Civil Rights Movement had stalled, trust in government was crumbling, and the promise of […]

The Visual Evolution of Digital Age Protest Signs

Political expression takes many forms. Although spoken and written words matter, provocative visuals often capture public attention more quickly and viscerally. Admittedly, some visual content, such as television programs and Hollywood films, requires significant resources to produce. However, other forms, like graffiti, street art, and memes, are far more affordable. Meanwhile, one often overlooked, enduring, […]

Rank Ordering to Clarify What Matters Most

Periodically, I try to identify my “top ten” books, food, movies, music, travel destinations, etc. In general, this exercise forces me to learn about my preferences by prompting me to consider not just what I like, but why I like it. In doing so, I engage more deeply with genres, styles, and categories I might […]

Distinguishing Among Voyeurism, Street Ethnography, and Urban Exploration

Individuals engage with urban spaces in a variety of ways. These approaches usually depend on their intentions, levels of involvement, and methods of observation. Three distinct modes of engagement — voyeurism, street ethnography, and urban exploration — offer useful points of comparison. Voyeurism typically entails observing others without their consent, often for personal gratification and […]

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 […]