Category: issues

“Examining the period between April 1 through July 31,” the Brookings Institution paper by Richard Florida and Michael Seman “estimates that some 2.7 million creative Americans were fired and more than $150 billion in sales of goods and services for creative industries nationwide evaporated.” – Forbes

That’s what worked — shockingly well — when Dutch public broadcaster NPO tried it: when it eliminated cookies, and thus the means to target ads to particular users, revenue soared. Here’s why contextual advertising (what NPO sold instead) brought in more money than targeted advertising — and why, says one American ad pro, this would not (yet) work in the United States. – Wired

That’s the argument being made by a growing number of nonwhite actors and observers such as critic Diep Tran: “Color-blind casting is dangerous in the same way the phrase: ‘I don’t see race’ is dangerous. It negates the very real structural hindrances that block actors of color from the same opportunities as white actors — like low pay in the theatre industry, a lack of roles that are ethnically specific that actors of color can play, and unconscious bias on the part of white theatres and casting directors.” – The Guardian

“The way I view work now within colonial structures and institutions is harm reduction. Ultimately, the goal for me is to reduce the harm the Canada Council causes, not just to my community but to any community that suffers under colonialism, which is really all of us on some level, and to make it somewhat easier to exist, work, live and participate.” – Toronto Star

Expect the cornonavirus era, say theme park experts, to accelerate a play-driven evolution that has steadily been increasing in parks — in part because they naturally lead to exploration, but also because they appeal to locals and regular park-goers, a demographic that’s more vital than ever if plane travel continues to dip. – Los Angeles Times

RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) and the British Council published a paper ‘Heritage for Inclusive Growth’ which says the sector’s potential has been stunted by “outdated” views of what – and who – it represents. – Arts Professional

Alan Dershowitz has sued CBS for a”defamatory” comment on the TV show The Good Wife. If the plaintiff were to win his lawsuit, it would be a real problem for TV writers and novelists. CBS’s lawyer: “As one might explain to a small child, the Series, its characters and the things they say are all make-believe. People don’t watch the Series for factual information about Professor Dershowitz or anyone else.” – Washington Post

“With the calamities facing the world, rebuilding what has been is no longer our most pressing goal — reimagining the future moving forward is. The ever-changing present requires the arts to accelerate our well-practiced ethos of compassionate vision, intellectual honesty and moral ingenuity. These are urgently required for shaping the road ahead.” – KCET