How 'Mad Men' Could Cover Events Of The Late 1960s

Watching how "Mad Men" incorporates the real-life historical and cultural events of 1960s into its storylines has become a favorite past-time for fans of the hit AMC advertising drama. And as the show's Season 6 timeline approaches the tumultuous and revolutionary late '60s, the potential for "Mad Men" to intersect with the cultural touchstones of that era could be a fascinating aspect of the new season.

Although the precise starting point of the upcoming sixth season is a closely-held secret, we know that Season 5 left off in the spring of 1967 and it's not unusual for "Mad Men" seasons to skip ahead 6 months or so from where they last left off. We've seen photographs that show Pete Campbell sporting mutton chops and and Harry Crane rocking a Beatles-esque shaggy haircut. Doing the math, it seems like "Mad Men" has the opportunity to tackle the heartbreaking assassinations, sweeping social change and music and media of 1968 and 1969, which still resonate to this day

So let's take a totally speculative look at what real-life, late '60s events "Mad Men" might tackle in Season 6. In the slideshow below, check out a timeline of historical and cultural events that could touch the new "Mad Men" season in some way, and our light-hearted predictions for how the show could work them into its storylines.

Read More...
More on Mad Men

Read More

Covered at Reason 24/7: Drone Companies Worried About Cultural Backlash

Not every drone is trying to kill you
or spy on you on behalf of a nosy government agency. Unfortunately
for the companies that make these other drones, the growing public
discontent over the potential misuse of the unmanned aircraft may
end up spilling over in areas where there probably is no real
opposition.

Via the
Associated Press:

The civilian unmanned aircraft industry worries that it will be
grounded before it can really take off because of fear among the
public that the technology will be misused. Also problematic is a
delay in the issuance of government safety regulations that are
needed before drones can gain broad access to U.S. skies.

Some companies that make drones or supply support equipment and
services say the uncertainty has caused them to put U.S. expansion
plans on hold, and they are looking overseas for new markets.

‘‘Our lack of success in educating the public about unmanned
aircraft is coming back to bite us,’’ said Robert Fitzgerald, CEO
of The BOSH Group of Newport News, Va., which provides support
services to drone users.

Drone manufacturers point out that even in the hands of law
enforcement agents, their products have a legitimate use in helping
in rescue efforts and other activities that don’t have the
potential to violate citizen privacy. Their arguments would
probably have more traction if law enforcement agencies at all
levels of government weren't constantly looking for excuses to
bypass the Fourth Amendment.

Follow this story and more at Reason 24/7.

If you have a story that would be of interest to Reason's
readers please let us know by emailing the 24/7 crew at
24_7@reason.com, or tweet us stories at @reason247.

Read More