Is it possible to imagine the ballet world without a primary teleology of aesthetic perfectionism and a baseline of low self-worth? Is it possible for our culture at large to stop conceiving of art and fame in this way? - Hedgehog Review
In a famous essay, the economist and philosopher Amartya Sen pointed out that we are all in favour of equality. We just disagree about whether we mean equality of money, or power, or respect, or legal standing, or whatever. - Literary Review
Though invisible to most people, copyright, the authors point out, is the legal matrix underlying the wealth of nations today, with copyrights in design, software and popular culture accounting for nearly all the valuation of “six of the largest corporations in the world — Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Meta and Disney.” - Washington Post
We were the victims of an American approach to city planning that had lost its way. But the next generation of kids may not be so unlucky. After a long demise, the grid is showing signs of a comeback. - The Atlantic
Following the death of his wife last month, the 81-year-old pop legend has had two co-conservators appointed. He's described in court documents as "unable to properly provide for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter … (He) does not have the capacity to give informed consent." - The Guardian
For experts in museum ethics, LACMA’s handling of the situation — which partisans see as a proxy battle in a larger war over evolving ideas of power at the nexus of art, justice and globalism — is unsurprising yet unfortunate. To them, the prevailing ethos is catch-me-if-you-can. - The Hollywood Reporter
In the current staging, Sweeney's barbershop is above the stage; when he slits a customer's throat, he pulls a lever that sends the victim down a slide into Mrs. Lovett's basement. Under the tag "A Bad Idea Worth Considering," Rebecca Alter points out that slide's underutilized revenue potential. Wheeeeee! - Vulture (MSN)
Kevin Roose: "My column about the experience was probably the most consequential thing I’ll ever write — both in terms of the attention it got … and how the trajectory of A.I. development changed. … It's been a year of growth and excitement in A.I. but a surprisingly tame one." - The New York Times
"Our goal is to shift industry standards. Capitalism swallows its own critiques, and we really are dedicated to waiting to scale. We have ambitions for Jupiter, not only to be a magazine, but we want to grow an institution that really is a home for writers, a home for thinkers and a home for artists." - Chicago Tribune (MSN)
"CNN boss Mark Thompson is looking to fund his digital-first transformation by cutting anchor salaries — currently more than $50 million — as he seeks to remake the ailing cable network into a U.S. version of the BBC," where he was Director-General (2004-2012) before becoming New York Times Co. CEO (2012-2020). - TheWrap
Over the past year, faculty groups dedicated to academic freedom have sprung up at Harvard, Yale and Columbia, where even some liberal scholars argue that a prevailing progressive orthodoxy has created a climate of self-censorship and fear that stifles open inquiry. - The New York Times
Buenos Aires-born, Berlin-based dancemaker Constanza Macras also choreographed the warped courtly dance and the chase/fight in the woods in The Favourite. She says that working in film offers something "that you never get in theater. … The camera is really a choreographic work as well." - The New York Times
It's "a scourge of selfie-takers backing into paintings and other objects. As many visitors are increasingly more interested in stunting for the ’gram than having an ecstatic art experience, art insurers hope to promote more rigorous protections." - Hyperallergic
"A series of recent updates to (Arts Council England) policies … were met with fury from artists, writers and musicians. … Within hours, ACE issued a statement recognising the strength of feeling over the guidance and said it would 'publish an updated version' as soon as possible." - The Guardian
