C.W. Cannon, Author at The Lens

New South Quackery: Decoding the cultural politics of ‘Duck Dynasty’

by C.W. CannonJune 27, 2014November 7, 2019

The key is not to be found in the antics of the carefully crafted “rednecks” in front of the camera, but in the political commentary surrounding them — which is essentially a form of marketing.

Opinion

Is Frenchmen still cool — or just a Bourbon Street for hipsters?

by C.W. CannonMay 23, 2014November 7, 2019

The ultra-hip have concluded that Frenchmen Street is already too well-known to confer “underground” cred.

Opinion

The Quarter’s a treasure — so should those trashy tourist shops be banned?

by C.W. CannonApril 11, 2014November 7, 2019

Many of the galleries proliferating in the Quarter sell wares distinguishable from souvenir-shop fare only by their price tags.

Opinion

A Kale of Two Cities: the magical New Orleans and the Americanist version

by C.W. CannonMarch 14, 2014November 7, 2019

The national press shows that it’s not really interested in New Orleanian self-analysis. Apparently we’re not qualified.

Opinion

When was Carnival’s golden age? Take a look around — we’re living in it

by C.W. CannonFebruary 14, 2014November 7, 2019

Carnival is more broadly participatory than ever, and its downtown culmination on Fat Tuesday is a public art form unique to New Orleans.

Opinion

Hipsters, take note: Still not crazy about Starbucks after all these years

by C.W. CannonDecember 19, 2013November 7, 2019

“Starbucks has done a great service to the United States in general by putting semi-decent coffee in places that never had it before. But that obviously doesn’t apply to us.”