Mr Burns' guide to economics

Having just sat through an Autumn Statement in which the poor and unemployed have been hit viciously while corporations' taxes have been cut, this Simpsons clip - while focussing on American politics - handily dramatises our Chancellor's dumb, partisan and selfish approach to the national economy.

'They have to learn about Tek War one day…'

Doing a lecture on popular fiction again this week. Mostly drawing on Pierre Macherey, Susan Suleiman and McCracken on pulp fiction. Can't resist this clip from the Simpsons:

Edna: And look at this: the only books we have are ones that were banned by other schools.

Skinner: Well, the kids have to learn about Tek War sooner or later.


Oh, and this is what teaching is really like:

From the Lisa Simpson Book Club. 

Capitalism: appropriating resistance since 1583

Hilarious. Banksy ('outsider' graffiti 'artist') takes corporate money and teases the corporation's business practice - and they show it, to prove what good sports they are.



Satire's dead anyway: if had any bite, it wouldn't get shown. We all know Simpsons toys are made by Chinese slaves. Laughing about it neutralises the anger.

Anti-corporatism: as Bill Hicks would say, that's a good dollar.

Ewar - collect your free mountain bike from the basement

Whacking Day was one of my favourite Simpsons episodes (the schools inspector is due, so Skinner tempts Bart and his delinquent friends down to the basement to 'collect the mountain bikes' they'd 'won', in which he locks them for the duration).

However: Ewar, there's a parcel of books for you, a present from Cynical Ben. I'm in for most of tomorrow, and the rest of my life.

I also loved Lisa's Substitute, because I was once a substitute (supply) teacher, and inspired precisely nobody. Though I did learn a host of new swearwords and saw more drugs than a pharmacist.

No video because Mr Murdoch has a lot of expensive lawyers and men with guns. Allegedly. He definitely has open access to Downing Street (also here, here, here, here, here and, well you get the message), which is more than we residents and voters can claim.

That's the problem with being middle-class.
Anybody who really cares will abandon you for those who need it more.
   -- Mr. Bergstrom's parting remarks
Hey, just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand!
   -- Homer tries to understand Lisa

No accusations, just friendly crustaceans, under the sea…

(Sorry. I love that Simpsons song).

Imaginary Friend has kindly sent me the latest Austen mashup, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. If it's as good as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it will be a blast.