“While the whole ‘who’s a genius’ debate is, in general, fraught and unwinnable, since genius itself is always going to be ill-defined, in the case of Steve Jobs it is even more fraught and even more unwinnable. In part, this is because the tech world, where most of us reside simply by owning cell phones and using computers, is not unlike the sports world or the political world: it likes a good rivalry.”
Tag: 12.21.11
‘Occupy’ – How The Movement Transformed The Word’s Meaning
“In early September, ‘occupy’ signaled on-going military incursions. Now it signifies progressive political protest. It’s no longer primarily about force of military power; instead it signifies standing up to injustice, inequality and abuse of power. It’s no longer about simply occupying a space; it’s about transforming that space.”
The Tsars’ Music: Compositions By The Romanovs Rediscovered And Revived
“The Romanovs adored composing romances or short classical music opuses as presents for their loved one,” says Bella Abaeva, who led a 15-year research project to find and assemble pieces written by members of the imperial family.
Should Artists Get Royalties When Their Work Is Resold? (Maybe Not)
“Even those who buy solely for the love of art and excitement about a specific artwork tend, even in the backs of their minds, to consider the possible future resale value of their collections. With the likely profits diminished, younger collectors, and collectors of younger artists, will be less motivated to buy, however idealistically we may wish to see their passion for art for art’s sake.’
Gene Summers, 83, Modernist Architect Who Helped Save Downtown L.A.
“[A] former associate of modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, [he] bought and renovated the rundown Biltmore Hotel with a business partner, reviving interest in downtown L.A. and helping spark its revitalization.”
Dance Theater Of Harlem To Be Revived
DTH officials have “announced the start of auditions to create a new stripped down troupe of 18 dancers, which will begin rehearsing in August and touring in October and aims to return to a New York stage by April 2013.” The company shut down in 2004.
How Independent Bookstores Can Fight Back Against Amazon
Farhad Manjoo, following up on his already-notorious essay arguing that Amazon.com contributes far more to the health of the book business than do small brick-and-mortar outlets, has a suggestion or two for those retailers on how to compete with the online giant using Amazon’s tools.
A New Streetcar Adaptation From Scottish Ballet
“Scottish Ballet has announced a newly commissioned version of A Streetcar Named Desire, which is to tour to Scotland, London and Belfast in late spring 2012. The ballet … is to be created by theatre and film director Nancy Meckler with Netherlands-based choreographer Anabelle Lopez Ochoa.”
Charlie Kaufman (Of All People) To Make A Movie Musical
Now the writer of Being John Malkovich, Synecdoche, New York and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is making a film where half the dialogue is sung. The story features a director whose movie gets 29(!) Oscar nominations, a popular and vicious film blogger who (yes) lives with his parents, and a robot head.
Think You Can Win People Over To Your Cultural Tastes Online? Forget It.
“Social media gives ordinary people unprecedented power to broadcast their taste in movies, books and film, but for the most part those tastes don’t rub off on other people, a new study of college students finds. Instead, social media appears to strengthen our bonds with people whose tastes already resemble ours.”