How Algorithms Are Narrowing Our Reading

In practice, this ensures the less read become even less read. It creates what one might call popularity polarization: a few pieces rise to the top, leaving the rest to fend for themselves. With print, this didn’t happen as much. Flipping pages, you would see every article somewhere. But, on your phone, you scroll through what’s been selected for you. And that selection likely reflects a ruthless narrowing of editorial values and priorities. – The Walrus

Holding Toronto Film Festival Online Is Good For Film Criticism And For Films Themselves

“The word-of-mouth reactions that take hold there are leveraged by marketing teams and Oscar campaign consultants, and a consensus emerges that underpins the entire awards season. … Multiplied by thousands of bloggers, critics and everyday festivalgoers, one tingle can go from a feeling to an entire business model.” That can’t happen this year, and Ann Hornaday makes the case that this is a very good thing. – The Washington Post

Startup Selling Shares In Blue-Chip Art Is Doing Plenty Of Business

“A New York startup [called Masterworks] that allows investors to buy a tiny stake in paintings by world-class artists for just $20 has seen a surge in demand during the pandemic, according to its founder, and has bought 15 artworks since the onset of Covid-19 to feed their appetite. A recent $1.52 million initial public offering of a piece by the American graffiti artist KAWS sold out in a few hours.” – Bloomberg