Link Tank: Terrible Fathers in the Star Wars Universe
Bad fathers in Star Wars, facts about polar bears, Joaquin Phoenix's past performances, and more in today's Link Tank!
The Star Wars universe is riddled with terrible fathers. Here are the nine worst offenders.
“There are more than a million star systems in the Star Wars galaxy, and maybe about 20 of them have a decent father in them. For some reason, if you’re a guy in Star Wars who has a child, you have a 90 percent chance of dying so your kid can go on some heroes’ journey. If you somehow survive, there’s a 90 percent you’re going to be terrible, so they can go on a heroes’ journey and then fight you. This plethora of poor papas has not only made life miserable for their children but for much of the universe, too.”
The polar bear is one of the largest land predators and one of the most endangered animals thanks to climate change. Check out these facts about this amazing species.
“From starring in Coca-Cola ads to becoming the poster child for climate change, the polar bear is quite the high-profile species. Ursus maritimus is a fascinating animal that roams across the Arctic Circle through Norway, Russia, Canada, Greenland, and Alaska, and there’s more to them than the adorable faces you see in children’s books and advertisements. In honor of International Polar Bear Day, which takes place on February 27, here are 25 things you should know about the fascinating animal.”
Presidential candidate Andrew Yang ended his campaign last evening, but it won’t be the last we hear of his main platform, the idea of universal basic income.
“Andrew Yang, the 45-year-old firebrand of the universal basic income movement, ended his campaign for the American presidency Tuesday evening. In a post-announcement email sent to his supporters, the entrepreneur praised his “Yang Gang” of dedicated supporters while declaring the movement would continue to thrive.”
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is about to hit the market, but how well does it actually work? Here’s a hands-on impression…
“Foldable innovation is coming at us fast. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip feels like a notable jump over Motorola’s Razr, which solved some of the design issues in Samsung’s Galaxy Fold. For $1,380—less than the Razr’s $1,499—this feels to me like a more solid, more mature form of the folding flip phone.”
While Joaquin Phoenix won a well-deserving Oscar for his role as the Joker, his past performances are no less excellent.
“Great actors almost never win Oscars for their best performances. As an institution, the Academy of Arts and Sciences has a tendency to reward many of Hollywood’s biggest stars for specific roles that just happen to catch a wave of enthusiasm at the right time or arrive towards the end of a long career. Al Pacino winning Best Actor for 1992’s Scent of A Woman instead of his far more iconic performances in The Godfather Part II, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon might be the most notable example of this phenomenon, but Oscar history is littered with examples of actors getting trophies for roles and movies that don’t necessarily rank among their finest work. (Does anyone really think The Revenant is Leonardo DiCaprio’s best showcase?) On Sunday night, Joaquin Phoenix joined that club.”
One of country music’s best artists is also one of the leasted noted in history. Learn about the DeFord Bailey, the unsung black musician who shaped country music for the better.
“DeFord Bailey walked onto the Grand Ole Opry stage with a slight limp. Decked out in a bow tie, pocket square, and polished shoes, he stood on a Coca-Cola crate to offset his 4-foot-11-inch stature. It was 1936. Bailey looked out at the audience, sitting on wooden benches in the Opry’s Dixie Tabernacle, just east of Nashville’s downtown core. He carried a harmonica, or ‘a harp,’ as it was often referred to at the time, in his left hand. When he brought the harmonica to his mouth, he played a tune that sounded like the bold whistle of a locomotive train. For 15 minutes, he played a unique blend of country music and blues, bringing smiles to the eyes of the people in the dusty old tabernacle. Aside from his obvious talent and innovative harmonica technique, Bailey broke cultural barriers by becoming the first black country music star, and he was one of the most beloved Opry musicians of his time.”
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