Emdashes—Modern Times Between the Lines

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Best of Emdashes: Hit Parade
A Web Comic: The Wavy Rule

 

Jonathan Taylor writes:

Those awaiting the results of the punctuation letter-writing contest should take a look in the meantime at some smooth quillwork by Sir Isaac Newton in a manuscript at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, a great example of the cursive "lb." transmogrifying into the pound sign (upper left):

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Hamlet might have written a nice letter to the caput mortuum, or (continued)

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There is a lot of buzz about the upcoming movie about the founding of Facebook, The Social Network. I’ve been thinking: how about a movie about the founding of Wikipedia? Plenty of intrigue and betrayal there. Perhaps some day… (continued)

Martin Schneider writes:

The New Yorker has announced the program for the 2010 New Yorker Festival, scheduled for October 1-3. As always, the event will feature author events on the Friday, followed by a wide variety of events over the next two days.

Full details after the jump.
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We always like to remember the high life, meticulous labors, and lasting legacy of Rea Irvin, The New Yorker’s first and most influential art director, but especially on this day, his birthday. Hooray for Rea! Meanwhile, for those awaiting punctuation contest results, be patient—they’re coming! —Emily Gordon (continued)

Martin Schneider writes:

One more quick thing about the most recent episode, "The Chrysanthemum and the Sword." The news that SCDP would be handling Honda's nascent automobile division could not but remind me of Randall Rothenberg's engrossing book Where the Suckers Moon. That 1994 book detailed the circa-1990 process whereby Subaru hired a new advertising agency for its upcoming campaign and, as such, is an essential resource—one I haven't seen mentioned enough—for anyone who wants to read more about Don Draper's job description (albeit 25 years later).

Mad Men's description of Honda's new cars as "motorcycles with a frame around them" (or whatever) immediately brought me back to Rothenberg's account of Subaru's early years. At the time—an automobile enthusiast could confirm if this is still true—Subaru was kind of the ignoble stalwart on the lower end of the Japanese automobile market. Their cars were clunky, cheap, and reliable, and they were also known for pioneering the four-wheel drive. Somehow I can't help but think that Weiner and Co. are obliquely referring to Where the Suckers Moon here; it's just too close.
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2008 Webby Awards Official Honoree