A group of publishing industry groups is suing to overturn a South Carolina law that prohibits posting images on the internet that the state considers unfit for children. The law was passed by legislators last year, and “prosecutors say the lawsuit is premature because the law it challenges has never been enforced.”
Tag: 11.25.02
Cry For Independence
As the British government opens up ownership of broacasters to foreign companies, a new report says independent producers need some protection. “Under quotas, terrestrial channels have to offer 25% of their programming to independent companies. But the actual average was only 15% because channels were unwilling to offer news or large outdoor events to independent production.”
Conduct Unbecoming
“The U.S. Naval Academy has confiscated the computers of about 100 midshipmen who allegedly have pirated music and movies on their hard drives. The Annapolis students could face punishment up to a court-martial if they are found to have the copyrighted material illegally.”
Mousetrap Turns 50
The London production of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap celebrates its 50th anniversary onstage with a performance for Queen Elizabeth (also celebrating her 50th year in production). “Christie’s famous whodunnit is the first stage production to achieve the milestone of half a century, opened on 25 November, 1952. More than 10 million people have seen the classic since it opened and the play has been performed in more than 40 countries and been translated into over 20 languages.”
Playing The Part
What is it about the music of Arvo Part that makes its listeners become cultish in their devotion to hearing it? “According to the unsentimental evidence of record sales, Pärt’s music reaches far beyond the conspiracy of connoisseurs who support most new classical music. He is a composer who speaks in hauntingly clear, familiar tones, yet he does not duplicate the music of the past. He has put his finger on something that is almost impossible to put into words—something to do with the power of music to obliterate the rigidities of space and time.”
Filling In The Cracks
A small band of philanthropists known as the Friends of Heritage Preservation is trying to save important buildings with targeted funds. The group looks for important buildings in need of help. Members of the 20-member group pay $25,000 in dues every two years and the money is used to take on projects that tend to “fall between the cracks.”
Drawn In
It wasn’t too long ago that architects’ drawings were typically thrown in the trash after a project was finished. But they’ve become prized by collectors and scholars who want to study the ideas behind buildings. “Given the rise of computer-assisted design (CADS) as the standard tool for designing today’s buildings, it may seem surprising that architectural drawing remains a dynamic art form – and not only for traditionalists.”
Art Merger
“The Bay Area’s pre-eminent fine arts schools – the California College of Arts and Crafts and the San Francisco Art Institute – are considering merging into a single new institution that would be one of the biggest independent art colleges in the country.”
Do Students Have The Freedom To Express?
Last year, a student in a San Jose high school showed a violent poem he had written to another student, who was so scared she reported him. He ended up being expelled and spending time in juvenile hall, though he hadn’t commited violence himself. Is student speech protected? “While there are no concrete statistics, students increasingly face a range of punishments for threats as school administrators take a closer look at conduct that could presage violence.”
Imagineering Without Imagination (Or $)
Disney built its name on the imagination and investment of creative “Imagineers” who succeeded in capturing the imaginations of visitors of all ages. But as the Disney stock price sinks and revenues slip, the company is slashing at that all important R&D that made it famous. “Disney is in a bear trap right now. They’re incredibly investment-averse. But the problem is, if you don’t fund the Imagineers to constantly come up with something new, you lose a big piece of what the brand means — which is that you go to the Disney parks to see stuff you can’t see anywhere else.”