From “Who Shot J.R.?” to the infamous “Dream Season,” here’s the best and worst Ewing family moments on its 45th Anniversary — Dallas — the super-soap that defined the decade of the eighties — celebrates its 45th anniversary today. Spawning three made-for-TV movies, the long-running Knots Landing spin-off, and a 2012 TNT reboot, Dallas’ cultural impact is unmatched. Larry Hagman, who starred for fourteen seasons as Texas oil tycoon J.R. …

A Texan Talks Errol Morris’ 1988 Documentary ‘The Thin Blue Line’ — “Dallas is a city that shouldn’t exist.” This is a common refrain among Dallasites and historians alike. The Trinity River was never much more than a creek prone to flooding. The soil is rocky. The land is flat. And yet, somehow, the city seems to have risen from nothing. But…

Interviews with the musician at the turn of the millennium reveal eerily prescient thoughts on the digital age — David Bowie was a prophet. Known for his ability to slip in and out of various personae, he changed the face of music and performance forever. Not only was he a visionary for modern music — paving the way for experimental sounds from Low to Blackstar — but he was…

Why Regime Change Doesn’t Work and How Americans Botched Post-War Planning — Contrary to what many in the foreign policy establishment might believe, regime change comes at a cost. The world cannot be easily shaped into America’s mold. Twenty years on from ‘Shock and Awe’ in Iraq, and amid a hot war on the European continent today (with echoes of the regime…

These epics will take you on a journey of early American stories — From the Colonization of Jamestown to the Salem Witch Trials and the American Revolution, I have always been interested in American history. But studying it can sometimes feel daunting. You might also think, “Where do I start?” For history buffs, watching movies is a great way to learn more about…

What’s behind the uptick in the Oscar’s ratings — The Oscars are back — kind of. After nearly a decade of declining viewership, The Oscars cemented a second year of increased viewership, topping out at 18.7 million telecast viewers. Still, the glitzy award show is struggling to find its footing in an era of streaming and political division. When…

Perusing the vintage, rare, and local Texana sections of my favorite bookstores — Some things are a given. Gravity will continue to pull objects toward the Earth. The seasons will change in a predictable pattern every year. And I will bring all my friends to my favorite vintage bookstore when they visit Dallas. My spot of choice is the Half Price Books flagship…

An Optimistic Outlook For The Future Of New AI Tools like ChatGPT — AI is a lot of things — new, confusing, exciting, bizarre. It’s certainly scary to many of us. But there’s one thing it’s not — human. What I mean is this: AI is not imaginative or original. It can’t actually come up with anything new on the spot like humans…

Laocoön and his Sons (3rd-1st Century BCE) depicts the Trojan Priest, Laocoön, after attempting to warn the Trojans about the looming wooden horse replete with bloodthirsty Greek soldiers. He angers the will of the gods who have ordained the fall of Troy, and he is punished — colossal serpents lunge…