“Ribbons, shimmery fluff, silk tufts and hints of red and green … have all been spotted in the webs of orb-weaving spiders, according to a new study.” Why? To get victims to come into their parlors, of course: Just as “human eyes are drawn to holiday ornaments, spider prey are drawn to their death by colorful, shimmering decorations.”
Tag: 12.24.09
New UK Gov’t Fund To Create Arts Jobs For The Unemployed
“[T]he government [has] confirmed £1.3 million of funding to help create 200 new jobs in the sector. They will be open to people aged 18-24, who have been claiming benefits, and will include posts such as theatre technician, costume and wardrobe assistant, community arts officer and business administrator.”
Ursula K. Le Guin Resigns From Authors Guild Over Google
“In a strongly-worded letter of resignation the award-winning science fiction and fantasy author said the Guild’s decision to support Google in its plans to digitise millions of books meant she could no longer countenance being a member.”
Brooklyn Museum Employee Admits Stealing $620,000
A former Brooklyn Museum manager admitted Wednesday he stole more than $620,000 by cutting checks to phantom employees.
If Kindles Are So Hot, Then Where Are They?
“There’s the extra difficulty in divining what Amazon means when it says the Kindle is the biggest selling item on its site: it feels that the hype is a bit off base because, while I’ve seen people reading chart-topping books on the bus and train, I have yet to see a Kindle in the wild.”
New Mega-Vegas Project Constructed Of Dreams
“It’s been a really rugged year, but 35 million tourists will still come. CityCenter will act as a catalyst. Visitation has grown 10 to 20 percent after a significant project opens up.”
A Decade Of Playing It Safe At The Movies
Across the globe, the 10 highest-grossing films of the decade all stemmed from the decades franchises, according to box-office takings tracker Box Office Mojo.
A Historic Italian Town That Isn’t Rising From The Rubble
Last April, an earthquake devastated the medieval-cum-Baroque town of L’Aquila. Emergency relief efforts were successful, but now, “[s]hortages of money, political will, architectural good sense and international attention – along with a distinctly Italian predilection for a kind of magical thinking – threaten to finish what the quake started.”
Royal Bank Of Scotland Looks At Selling Off $24M Art Collection
“The lender, which has received 45.5 billion pounds in state aid in the world’s most expensive bank bailout, is reviewing its collection to determine initially whether UK national museums wish to acquire any of the items.” The bank may then sell other works on the open market.
Rasta Thomas And His ‘Bad Boys’: The Chippendales Of Modern Ballet?
“[The dancers] spend Rock the Ballet bopping, leaping, kicking, spinning and showing what one supposes is meant to define the cocksure urban man to their sometimes squealing audiences. Opening night included so many pockets of whooping and yipping individuals that they almost quaintly brought to mind groupies.”