A globe-trotting internet star–with a fascinating blog–points out several errors in his recent profile. Is “doughy” the best descriptor here? How about “lucky”?
Tag: 07.08.08
The Limits Of “Free” Speech On The Internet
“Rant all you want in a public park. A police officer generally won’t eject you for your remarks alone, however unpopular or provocative. Say it on the Internet, and you’ll find that free speech and other constitutional rights are anything but guaranteed.”
Iran’s Art Market Booming
Prices have soared by a factor of 20 within two years. Galleries are packed with prospective buyers and the works are both modern and daring.
PEN Hits China On Free Expression Restrictions
“Media freedom organization PEN is giving China a failing grade on free expression one month before the opening of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Conditions for both international and Chinese journalists have deteriorated between December 2007 and June 2008, according to a report released Tuesday by PEN Canada, the PEN American Centre, and the Independent Chinese PEN Centre.”
Recording Companies Pressing For Radio Royalties
“Chances appear slim that Congress will vote this year on legislation requiring terrestrial radio stations to pay artists and labels performance royalties to play their recordings. Nonetheless, signs are emerging that the recording industry is making some headway in its precedent-breaking fight to extract new royalty payments from broadcasters.”
The End Of The CD Boxed-Set?
“Boxed-set sales have fallen off the cliff; they went from something to nothing. Unless the majors seriously look at reducing the price of the boxed set — they still think they should cost $39.98 or $49.98 — sales will continue to slide.”
American TV-Viewing Increasing
“The company said Tuesday that the average American watched 127 1/4 hours of television in May, or the equivalent of more than five full days. That’s up from 121 hours and 48 minutes in May 2007. The typical person also spent 26 1/2 hours using the Internet in May, up from 24 hours, 16 minutes the year before, Nielsen said.”
Why Bookstores Are Disappearing In Argentina
“This is a country with a rich literary tradition – think of Borges, Sabato, Hernandez – but since the devaluation of the peso in 2002, books have become a luxury item. Personal libraries, much less common now, are seen as a sign of wealth. People buy books they’re likely to hold onto for longer. And they don’t give them up so easily.”
£100m Gift Of Art Goes On Display
“One of the most sensational bequests of great paintings to the British people since the foundation of the national museums is now on public view at Tate Britain, London. Eighteen masterpieces – many of them barely, or never, seen in public over the past 50 years – have been left to the National Gallery and the Tate by Simon Sainsbury, great-grandson of the founder of J Sainsbury grocers.”
Next Act For A Sensational Maria
Connie Fisher won herself the part of Maria in the West End revival of Sound of Music through a high-rating BBC Saturday night talent show in 2006. “On November 15, the West End show opened to universal critical acclaim for Fisher’s fresh, vocally thrilling performance. But four months into the run, she burst a blood vessel in her throat and lost her voice. Suddenly, Fisher became the poster girl for another morality tale altogether: pushed far too far, way too soon.”