It was neither the first online encyclopedia—Britannica had a web presence by 1999—nor even the first that users could edit. Rather, its vitality arose from the community of obsessives whom it attracted, and its decline has coincided with the market’s capture of their creativity. - The New Yorker
The received wisdom has been that a Montreal student named Joscelyn Gordon Whitehead punched Houdini in the stomach several times without warning, and the blows led to a ruptured appendix and peritonitis. Now a 77-year-old retired urologic surgeon has done a forensic medical investigation which challenges that narrative. - The New York Times
Actually, in America, the reading of books is up. Sales of print books have increased nearly twenty-five per cent from a decade ago. The number of independent bookstores in the United States has climbed steeply since 2009, with a seventy-per-cent increase since 2020. - The New Yorker
I have known countless music students who have gone on to distinguished careers who have described their teachers in God-like terms and continue to do so long after their student days. Often these descriptions are laced with affection and continued adulation. - Thomas Wolf
Phoenix Symphony leaders announced today they are suspending programs and performances after their show on Nov. 1 due to ongoing operational deficits. They say they do not have the finances to continue the season. - Fox (Yahoo)
“Two-thirds of vertical drama releases outside China in the third quarter of 2026 from 20 top platforms were AI generated, according to the consulting firm Owl & Co.’s latest ‘What We Watched on Vertical’ report.” (In China, the figure is thought to be 95%.) - The Hollywood Reporter
“Identifying a sitter in a portrait is a tricky art-historical task that involves a study of provenance, inscriptions, archival documentation, iconographic juxtaposition, collection history, and costume and jewelry. Could present-day technologies be another item in the researcher’s tool kit?” A project in Switzerland is giving it a try. - ARTnews
“The Prix Pascal will open for submissions on 2 November, inviting French-language writers to submit manuscripts alongside an initial prompt of no more than 100 words and a technical account of the language model and generation process used. The competition is open to non-professional writers and those working in the literary sector.” - Firstpost
“In typical years, grant agreements are sent in early July, with artists getting money in hand within four weeks. As of October, multiple artists still haven't received a dime, and at least two received their grant agreements only after the Chronicle wrote the commission to ask about the delay.” - San Francisco Chronicle (Yahoo!)
“The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts has coasted past the dollar goal in one of the city’s largest-ever fundraising campaigns for a cultural organization, … bringing in $344 million to support operations, build endowment, and fund special artistic initiatives.” One couple anonymously donated $55 million. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
In Limoges, the 19th-century Hôtel de Ville, which had historic landmark status, was destroyed by arson during the violence that has convulsed much of France in recent days. One suspect has been arrested. - Euronews
As the Corporation tries to save £500 million ($670 million) over the next two years, it is ending over-the-air transmission of these two television stations as well as BBC Radio 4 Extra. As of next spring, programming from those outlets will be made for streaming only. - The Guardian
“Go-Go 50,” the upcoming mixed-bill program assembled to celebrate the anniversary, “exemplifies some of the company's hallmarks: a willingness to gamble on new work, an embrace of diverse repertoire, and an ability to capitalize on the culture and cachet of its hometown.” - The Washington Post (MSN)
Donors who have given artwork to the institution are trying to reclaim their gifts, fearing for their safety amid a renovation and in the wake of layoffs. They are not convinced that the leadership, largely appointed by Trump, values the artworks as part of the institution’s holdings. - ARTnews
“SAG-AFTRA's independent Verticals Agreement helped open the door for producers to hire union performers for the format's notoriously small-scale productions. They've also brought some structure and legitimacy to the medium. ... Bigger-name talent is now more open to verticals thanks to the protections the agreement brings.” - TheWrap (MSN)
