“Erection,” in Flaubert’s Dictionnaire des idées reçues, should only be said in reference to monuments. It might feel as if “election,” in recent times, risks a similar fate, as a word not to be brought up in polite society. Let’s not let that happen. To that end, here’s to talking about elections, with early modern-infused takes on public opinion (Michael Meere), political insult (Kathrina LaPorta), femmes fortes (Chloé Hogg), and the matter of media (Christophe Schuwey). – CH

On Technology and Public Opinion

Fig. 1. Plate from “Habit d’imprimeur en lettres.” Nicolas II de Larmessin, Costumes grotesques, 1695.

The ubiquity of pocket-computers and the mental image of social media users on their devices, creating content as they walk, reminds me of the playfully allegorical engraving by Nicolas II de Larmessin (1632-1694), “Habit d’imprimeur en lettres,” the 29th plate in the Costumes...