Presents a critical, multidisciplinary anthology addressing the theories, problems, and possibilities of multimedia communication, computer interaction, hypertextual representation of knowledge, contemporary utopias, television broadcasting, semiotics of media, and sexuality in the cyber age. Instead of technological determinism or techno-optimistic rhetoric, essays focus on an analytical approach to contemporary media, future technologies, and electronic texts. Specific topics include Jean-Luc Godard's audiovisual works, the history of communication technologies in Russia, and the controversial advertising of Benetton. Main disciplines shared by contributors are philosophy and semiotics as well as media and communication studies. Includes color photos from the Benetton ad campaign. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Vanity Fair columnist Michael Kinsley escorts his fellow Boomers through the door marked "Exit." The notorious baby boomers—the largest age cohort in history—are approaching the end and starting to plan their final moves in the game of life. Now they are asking: What was that all about? Was it about acquiring things or changing the world? Was it about keeping all your marbles? Or is the only thing that counts after you’re gone the reputation you leave behind? In this series of essays, Michael Kinsley uses his own battle with Parkinson’s disease to unearth answers to questions we are all at some time forced to confront. “Sometimes,” he writes, “I feel like a scout from my generation, sent out ahead to experience in my fifties what even the healthiest Boomers are going to experience in their sixties, seventies, or eighties.” This surprisingly cheerful book is at once a fresh assessment of a generation and a frequently funny account of one man’s journey toward the finish line. “The least misfortune can do to make up for itself is to be interesting,” he writes. “Parkinson’s disease has fulfilled that obligation.”

Los Angeles magazine is a regional magazine of national stature. Our combination of award-winning feature writing, investigative reporting, service journalism, and design covers the people, lifestyle, culture, entertainment, fashion, art and architecture, and news that define Southern California. Started in the spring of 1961, Los Angeles magazine has been addressing the needs and interests of our region for 48 years. The magazine continues to be the definitive resource for an affluent population that is intensely interested in a lifestyle that is uniquely Southern Californian.

A veteran news anchor who traveled with the Beatles on their first American tours describes the legendary band's rise to the top from their early days in Liverpool and Hamburg with original drummer Pete Best and bassist Stu Sutcliffe.