The setting may be out of time, but speaks to the present, as the villagers’ conservatism manifests as rejection, suspicion and persecution — treating outsiders or non-conformists as an invading pathogen.
—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2026
The solace and the pathos in Updike’s and Rosenberg’s work come from realizing that in many cases, conformists can’t win either.
In Billings, Montana, Rand's Custom Hats has spent more than five decades handcrafting custom hats, building a reputation among rodeo athletes and local traditionalists, with each piece made largely by one hatter from start to finish.
—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 July 2026
Still, many traditionalists don’t believe robotic elephants belong in temples.
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