As February strides into its final week, it's hard to ignore the toasty blend of nostalgia and chaos swirling around us. The passing of Anna Murdoch-Mann, the mother of News Corp heir Lachlan Murdoch, at 81 is resonating across media landscapes. Known for her role as a driving force behind the empire built by Rupert Murdoch, Anna was described as having an indelible influence, with The Australian noting, "He never made a major business decision without her input" [1]. It’s almost poetic that her legacy is intertwined with the very fabric of modern media, a realm where voices often collide and controversy reigns.
While the media mourns one titan, the stage lights up with another: David Byrne's musical “Here Lies Love,” which explores the controversial legacy of Imelda Marcos. Interestingly, this show, now gracing the Mark Taper Forum in LA, juxtaposes the glitz of disco with the grim realities of dictatorship—an irony not lost on audiences. As Byrne himself noted, “Do disco balls and martial law mix?” [2]. This performance is a reminder of how art can reflect our present, drawing uncomfortable parallels to today's socio-political climate. It makes you wonder if the ghosts of the past are more alive than ever, waiting for us to dance with them.
Meanwhile, in the world of sports, the VCU Rams faced a chaotic end to their game against Saint Louis, losing players in a fracas that left them with just four players on the court. It was a vivid display of how quickly emotions can spiral in competitive environments—much like the media world Anna inhabited. After all, isn’t the realm of competition a little like navigating the treacherous waters of familial legacies and artistic expression? Whether on the basketball court or in the boardroom, tensions run high, and sometimes, you’re left with fewer players than you started with.
And just when you think the day couldn’t get any more bizarre, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, is battling misinformation in his quest to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $83 billion. Sarandos is unyielding, calling out competitors and claiming it’s often “cheaper to make noise than it is to raise your bid” [3]. This fight for dominance in the entertainment industry feels emblematic of a broader struggle for clarity and truth in a world that often feels muddled by conflicting narratives.
In the background of all this, the world turns on its axis—U.S. military actions in the Pacific have claimed lives, and the NBA is grappling with injuries, as players like De'Andre Hunter undergo season-ending surgeries [4]. Amidst the chaos, we find ourselves reflecting on life’s fragility, the stories that shape us, and the legacies we leave behind. From the dramatic stages of Los Angeles to the tumultuous basketball courts, February is reminding us that every ending is but a prelude to something new.