The Mob, Vegas, and Tea

Science Fiction 2010 update

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:00:00 +0000

I'm excited to announce that the University of Nevada Press will be publishing my latest short story in a Science Fiction anthology put together by editors Jarret Keene and Todd James Pierce.

I mentioned this book once before here, but now we have more details. The book called "Doom Town: Tales of Near-Future Las Vegas" is slated for release in Fall 2010.

It was way back in 2008 in a bar in Vegas, when Jarret first mentioned this project. And now the idea is becoming reality. With Jarret and Todd editing, I know it will be a magical book.

xo.

Photo: A tiny part of a huge modern art installment near Champs Elysees. I recently took this photo in Paris.

The science behind 'Avatar'

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:46:00 +0000

I was surprised to get such a wonderful slew of responses to this interview I did with plant physiologist Jodie Holt of UC Riverside. She advised director James Cameron and others on the set of 'Avatar.' The real science behind science-fiction can be truly fascinating-- and extensive. In Holt's case, she created an entire encyclopedia of plant names called a "Pandorapedia."

Here's the full Q&A:
"Inventing the plants of 'Avatar'"

Q&A with Max Blumenthal about 'Republican Gomorrah'

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 17:46:00 +0000

Recently, I met up with Max Blumenthal in Downtown L.A. to discuss his first book. 'Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party' is a culmination of his investigative reporting into the radical right wing of the G.O.P.

He is clear that the Republican Party has been taken over by extremists, calling it "the party of birthers, deathers, and Civil re-enacters."

Blumenthal gave a great interview with much insight into why he wrote what he did, and what he saw along the 2008 campaign trail.

He's also gained a huge following amongst the 18-25 year-old crowd, through his sometimes shocking YouTube videos.

Our full interview is here:
Q&A with Max Blumenthal, author of ‘Republican Gomorrah: Inside the Movement that Shattered the Party’

Chatting with Cobra Snake

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 03:57:00 +0000

The other morning, I talked with the foremost documentarian of hipster culture worldwide. The 24 year-old photographer named Mark Hunter, who goes by "the Cobra Snake."

His website is full of partying celebs and happy hipsters from Brooklyn to L.A., Tokyo to Paris, and beyond.

He was a friendly dude, who isn't ashamed to wear what he wants (even Crocs!), use coupons, and generally be down to earth and accessible.

The full interview is here:
Cobra Snake is young, making money and still using coupons

How unscientific is America?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 02:17:00 +0000

Most recently, I wrote an article, in which I interviewed Chris Mooney--author of Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future.

Mooney and his co-author Sheril Kirshenbaum explore how America has changed--becoming a place much less into science than it should be in order to prepare for a hyper-scientific future.

They write: "Americans built the bomb, reached the moon, decoded the genome, and created the Internet. And yet today this country is also home to a populace that, to an alarming extent, ignores scientific advances or outright rejects scientific principles."

Check out the entire interview here:
Bringing science back into America's sphere

New stuff: Documentary and book reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 04:49:00 +0000

I recently watched and wrote about a documentary about young people who are coping with the fact they have cancer at a tender age. Ranging from 19 to 29 years old, the subjects talk about their strategies for dealing with terminal illness. The film is called 'Chasing Rainbows' and I recommend it to anyone who has a friend in a similar situation. What is most striking about the film is that the entire group, for the most part, is positive about their lives--despite chemo, hair loss, and an unknown future.

A very hot topic in the news recently has been gender and sexuality. There couldn't be a better book to explain all the shades of gray. 'Between XX and XY: Intersexuality and the Myth of the Two Sexes' by Gerald Callahan sheds much needed light on a complicated topic. I reviewed the book for the Times.

Here are the full stories:
"Film: 'Chasing Rainbows' looks at young people living with cancer"

"Between XX and XY:Intersexuality and the Myth of the Two Sexes" by Gerald Callahan"

Now you see it, now you don't

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:16:00 +0000

Most recently, I wrote about tattoo removal. Specifically, Dr. Tattoff--a Beverly Hills-based business, headed up by Dr. Will Kirby--specializes in tattoo removal by laser treatment.

The medical science behind the skin, the ink, and the laser is fascinating. The psychology behind the ink is even more interesting.

Read my chat with Dr. Will Kirby here, plus see a cool video (a live tattoo removal):
"Life in L.A.: Dr. Will Kirby, tattoo removal specialist"

Are we worrying about aging too young?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 04:37:00 +0000

I recently wondered whether or not the young (in Los Angeles in particular) are fretting about aging at ages younger and younger.

Women afraid of wrinkles they don't have? Staying out the sun so much that you are wrapped head to toe upon stepping outside? Considering Botox in the teen years or 20s?

Here's my story I wrote for the Health section, exploring this topic:
"Are we worrying about aging too young?"

A conversation about wildmen

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:16:00 +0000

Over on the University of Chicago Press' blog, they have posted a fascinating conversation between two authors--Joshua Blu Buhs and Sigrid Schmalzer--who both have written about wildmen, namely Bigfoot and the yeren (China's answer to America's Bigfoot).

I interviewed Buhs about his book Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend recently, so I was excited to see further sociological discussion about these legends.

The conversation spans the way that wildmen represent the possibility of extinction and the horrors of civilization to people who love the beast so much that they give up family and friends in their hunt for it.

This great discussion starts here:
Bigfoot and the yeren: a conversation about wildmen

My interview with Buzz Aldrin

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:57:00 +0000

He's an MIT scholar, a rocket scientist, an astronaut, a moonwalker, a user of Twitter, and now a rapper. Believe it. Buzz recently rapped with Snoop Dogg to bring the love of space exploration to a new generation.

I interviewed him about his new memoir, his life, and how he thinks we should live on Mars.

Check out the entire Q&A here:
"Buzz Aldrin on his new book, space exploration, and rapping with Snoop Dogg"

Bigfoot, why do we believe in you?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:25:00 +0000

Is it an odd topic? You bet.

And yet, when you think about it, Bigfoot is a classic. Americans have believed in him for so long, it takes research to really trace the roots of this wild monster.

Joshua Blu Buhs gives us the cultural and historical perspective in his new book Bigfoot: The Life and Times of a Legend.

I recently interviewed the author, and you can read the Q&A here:
"Bigfoot: Why do we believe in you?"

Evolution to the rescue

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:41:00 +0000

In his book Evolution Rx: A Practical Guide to Harnessing Our Innate Capacity for Health and Healing, Dr. William Meller provides human history and plain good sense.

My Q&A with the author explores why people gossip, whether we stretch too much (or not enough), and why we should get more sun (not less).

Read the interview here:
"Evolution to your rescue -- Q&A with Dr. William Meller"

Moonwalker to Moonwalker

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:03:00 +0000

Today was incredible, stunning really. Today I interviewed Buzz Aldrin about his new memoir Magnificent Desolation.

I had an excellent chat with Buzz, who had a great deal to say about space exploration, younger generations, and the future in general. His first steps on the moon certainly solidify him as an American hero.

As I walked out of the room where I was conducting the interview, a colleague told me while I was talking with Buzz, Michael Jackson had died. I was shocked. I hoped the early reports of hospitalization and coma could result in everything somehow being okay.

Sadly, Jackson died at UCLA today. Michael Jackson--the smooth robotic pop sensation who everyone wanted to dance like. Michael Jackson who invented the moonwalk. Michael Jackson whose video 'Thriller' defined the video age.

The Los Angeles Times reported this first. Here is a rundown of today's coverage:

"Pop star Michael Jackson dead at 50"

Music critic Ann Powers:
"A performer who kept transcending boundaries"

Fashion critic Booth Moore:
"Michael Jackson: King of style"

Michael's life in album covers:
"Michael Jackson discography"

Michael Jackson's obituary:
"Michael Jackson's life was infused with fantasy and tragedy"

Three little things

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:09:00 +0000

Hotel, motel, Holiday Inn...In Reno, they like to make art in motel rooms. The New York Times has a fine photo gallery, capturing many of the quirky art installations:
"Get a Room, Make a Show"

According to the Press Enterprise, Joshua trees are going extinct. Scientists are saying the icons of the desert land could be completely extinct within a century due to global warming:
"Desert icon Joshua trees are vanishing, scientists say"

The blog Lens collected readers' old Polaroid pictures and published them. So many tender moments and memories here:
"Readers' Photos: Polaroid Gallery"

Photo: This is a shot of one of my favorite pieces of art--David Hockney's iconic tribute to the desert 'Pearblossom Highway' (1986). Revealing both the American west and mundane bits of the desert, Hockney really captured how the open road feels. Joshua trees appear on either side of his photocollage highway.

Reporting from Tehran

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:25:00 +0000

The Citizen Journalism going on in Iran has perhaps reached critical mass, as the violent death of Neda Agha-Soltan, 26, was captured and uploaded to the Internet. The graphic content so shocking that her death is now being called "an international symbol of the protest movement."

A screen grab of the video is on the cover of the Wall Street Journal this morning.

And of course, stellar reporting continues from Tehran from Los Angeles Times correspondent Borzou Daragahi.

His full report, filed today, is here:
"Family, friends mourn Iranian woman who died on video"

Science Fiction in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:20:00 +0000

Doesn't 2010 seem like the perfect year to publish a Science Fiction story? I think so.

A little note that in 2010, I have a Science Fiction tale coming out in an anthology put together by Jarret Keene and Todd James Pierce.

Very exciting. More details to come.

Photo: This is advertising art for the 1936 Science Fiction film Things to Come, orginally a novel by H.G. Wells.

Citizen Journalism in Iran, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

As events in Iran continue to escalate and unfold, Citizen Journalism is going strong as many Iranian citizens have uploaded their own videos to YouTube. In these videos, you can see the streets flooded, the chants, marching, and mourning.

Powerful first-hand accounts from the citizens themselves.

Also of note, as I've brought up once before, when the New York Times reported that Moldovans were organizing protests against Communism through tweets--(here's the article in case you missed it: "Protests in Moldova Explode, With Help of Twitter")-- Twitter could be a tool of revolution. As the crowds as we are seeing in Iran come together through the social networking site, it certainly shines a whole new light on what Twitter can be used for.

Andrew Sullivan writes an interesting piece on the topic for The Atlantic here: "The Revolution Will Be Twittered"

Citizen Journalism at work in Iran

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:03:00 +0000

As social networks and mobile technology have propelled the world forward in terms of connection and the ability to tell your own story (through status updates, camera phones, and mobile video), Citizen Journalism has been on the rise for some time.

In recent memory, the plane crash in the Hudson River in New York City was first captured by a citizen who updated his Twitter account status.

Similarly, it's been fascinating in the last few days to watch events unfold in Iran.

According to CNN, information is being passed from person to person and to news organizations through iReports, Facebook, and Twitter.

Clearly, the power of not only social networking, but mobile technology is seen here.

Many traditional journalists and expats have been following the Iran Twitter feeds, through this hashtag: #iranelection.

Some fascinating bits of 140 character info. there.

Difficult to tell what bits are true and what could be made up. Nevertheless, we see technologies hard at work, aiding in storytelling and connection.

How the world beat smallpox

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:29:00 +0000

It is always humbling to chat with interviewees who have accomplished amazing things in their lives. Ask Dr. D.A. Henderson what he has done in his life, and on the list is: eradicate smallpox from the face of the Earth.

Henderson tells his incredible story of battling bureaucracy, travelling to villages around the globe where smallpox ravaged thousands, and eventually the day that the World Health Assembly formally announced that smallpox no longer existed anywhere in the world.

Most people don't think of diseases as fascinating, but how smallpox haunted millions certainly is harrowing.

Here is my Q&A with Dr. Henderson about his story and his new book Smallpox: The Death of a Disease:
"‘Smallpox -- The Death of a Disease,’ a Q&A with Dr. D.A. Henderson"

Punk's not dead

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:54:00 +0000

My most recent Q & A was with author Nick Rombes about his Cultural Dictionary of Punk: 1974-1982. Ever heard of the Slits? The Sleepers? The Raincoats? The Whistle Punk of Camp 15?

Pick up this dictionary and you'll know all you ever wanted. And more, probably.

Here's the full Q & A:
"Punk's not dead, and this is your guide: Q&A with author Nicholas Rombes"

Got migraines?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:42:00 +0000

Just last week, I talked with author Andrew Levy about his new memoir A Brain Wider Than the Sky: A Migraine Diary.

The book left me wondering how many colleagues, friends, and loved ones are silently suffering with this sort of pain. As Levy points out, many Americans out there are simply getting by, muddling through.

To read the full Q & A with the author, go here:
"'A Brain Wider Than the Sky' author talks about life with migraines"

Walking on the moon

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Sun, 17 May 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Every month I do an art-reading project with first graders in Watts.

Every month, their reading skills get better, and I think their art (which is always amazing) becomes more creative.

Today we read UFO Diary and then we made spaceships.

One girl almost cried because she didn't feel like her alien looked good enough.

As we read from big piles of books on a long table, one of the stories I read out loud had the word "naked" in it. And every time I read the word, two girls wouldn't stop laughing.

Some of the loveliest language out there in books today is actually in children's literature. Sometimes the storylines are surprisingly profound.

Here's my favorite line from today. A bear says this to a fox:
"You know how beauty always makes me cry."

Who's afraid of the 21st century?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:30:00 +0000

So, as a human race, we generally get a thrill from being scared.

However, when it comes to deciphering real news from a bunch of hooey, well, it isn't so easy to tell fact from fiction at times.

In my lastest Q&A, I chatted with Simon Briscoe and Hugh Aldersey-Williams about their latest book, Panicology: Two Statisticians Explain What’s Worth Worrying About (And What’s Not) in the 21st Century (Skyhorse Publishing).

Very nice fellows. Very skeptical, too.
And rightfully so. Many things we worry about, we can't do anything about.

Perhaps should we all just toughen up and then chill out?

Read the entire interview here:
"What is there to worry about in the 21st century?"

The footsteps of Bonnie and Clyde

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:21:00 +0000

If you're looking for the ultimate in love, lust, and danger, can you really think of a more infamous pair than Bonnie and Clyde?

Paul Schneider, author of Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend, chatted with me about his research and what he found when he drove his car throughout America, following the gangsters' famous footsteps.

Read the entire interview here:
"Romeo and Juliet with guns"

Do you have a crystal ball?

noreply@blogger.com (Lori Kozlowski) — Fri, 08 May 2009 03:47:00 +0000

I sometimes wonder if we really can predict the future. In these uncertain times, it would be nice to know what is about to happen next.

Though, if you really think about it, uncertainty is an integral part of modern life--think about sporting events, magic shows, falling in love. All of them are reliant upon a degree of unknowing.

That said, I think in my lifetime I've had one or two premonition-like dreams at least. Though in my case, the dreams are so confusing, I can't really tell completely what it all means.

Recently, I interviewed Dr. Larry Dossey about his new book The Power of Premonitions: How Knowing the Future Can Shape Our Lives.

He was fascinating to talk to. Check out the entire interview here:
"Dr. Larry Dossey and your internal crystal ball"