“Dickens refers to ‘the friendships we form with books’, while Charles Lamb regarded books as ‘the best company’.” The problem, of course, is that however much we care about books, books don’t care about us.
Tag: 01.17.12
For Election 2012, Prop 8 Play To Run Across US
“The pro-gay marriage American Foundation for Equal Rights and partner Broadway Impact are sponsoring dozens of productions of Dustin Lance Black’s play starring local actors across the country this election year. It’ll be shown in states where marriage battles loom, including Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire and North Carolina.”
Megan Fairchild Loosens Up
She joined New York City Ballet at age 17, was a soloist by 19 and a principal at 20. At that point, she felt terrified, unworthy to hold the same rank as the likes of Darci Kistler. Unsurprisingly, her dancing seemed to many to be studied and tense. Seven years on, she’s changed.
NEC Fires Conductor Benjamin Zander Over Hiring Of Former Sex Offender
The New England Conservatory has dismissed Zander, something of a cult figure among maestros and a faculty member for 45 years, from his post leading the school’s Youth Philharmonic Orchestra. The issue is Zander’s hiring as a videographer a convicted sex offender after his release from prison.
Nikolai Tsiskaridze Gets To Keep Bolshoi Teaching Gig
“In what is the latest move in the ongoing turf war at the Bolshoi Theater, ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze got to keep his teacher job at the theater despite his strained relations with the Bolshoi management.”
British Plan For King James Bible In Schools Hits Snag
“A plan by the education secretary, Michael Gove, to send a copy of the King James Bible to every school in the country – each including a personal inscription from him – has run into trouble after government sources reported he has been told to find private funding for the project.”
Afghan Calligrapher Produces World’s Largest Koran
“An Afghan calligrapher has worked for five years to create the world’s biggest Koran, a bid to show the world that Afghanistan’s rich cultural heritage and traditions have been damaged but not destroyed by 30 years of war.”
Birdsong – Another New Crimefighting Tool?
Like many cities, large and small, Lancaster, California has seen a drop in crime rates in recent years. But Lancaster’s mayor gives credit to the recorded chirps and twitters of birds that his city broadcasts through 70 speakers along half a mile of boulevard.
So Facebook Isn’t A Big Echo Chamber After All…
“Although we’re more likely to share information from our close friends, we still share stuff from our weak ties–and the links from those weak ties are the most novel links on the network. Those links from our weak ties, that is, are most likely to point to information that you would not have shared if you hadn’t seen it on Facebook.”
Should Internet Acces Be A Basic Public Utility? (And Free?)
“Is internet access a utility our local government should be providing to us for free? We’ll soon be paying for the water that comes out of the taps in our homes, so why should a public body provide something for free that is already widely available commercially?”