Just finished the new Neal Stephenson book, Polostan. Part of it takes place during the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair. Love this iconography, which is prominent in the book.

    • xylogx@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      22 days ago

      I liked it so much I tore through it in a couple of days! The worst part is waiting for the next in the series since he has announced there will be at least two and possibly three more in what he is calling the “bomb light” series.

  • Sibbo@sopuli.xyz
    51·
    23 days ago

    Do what are the symbols of progress here? The woman in the center seems to be commenting on the progress rather than depicting the progress itself, she she seems to be loving it.

    For actual symbols, we have planes, skyscrapers, a fort, a chemist, the world and an engineer.

    I can see how all these depict progress, but the fort seems to be overly racist. I can only understand this as the conquest against the native Americans which is depicted positively here. But I guess that’s just how people thought back then.

    • whotookkarl@lemmy.world
      6·
      23 days ago

      I think the spotlights were indicative of electric powered lights as a sign of progress over the century too

    • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
      41·
      23 days ago

      imho the best single volume book to understand American racism is ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X.’

      Obviously there are books with more historical facts and deeper analysis. But I think the way he depicts his own feelings and observations gives the reader a visceral understanding.

      Agin, my opinion.

    • Albbi@lemmy.ca
      3·
      23 days ago

      For actual symbols, we have planes, skyscrapers, a fort, a chemist, the world and an engineer.

      I spy with my little eye: A zeppelin!