Good morning: Some weeks events push along swarms of stories that illuminate long term trends. This week it’s the collapsing of traditional TV. Long lucrative late-night talk shows are failing. The satellite TV business is dying and bleeding subscribers. And a fascinating story from Tech Hive explains how traditional TV providers have been cannibalizing their own business in a reckless and completely predictable way. Business models across creative industries are being disrupted, but in Big Commercial Culture industries, the stakes are in the billions rather than the millions of dollars. Lessons in adaptability abound. Here are more highlights from today’s haul:
- Museums Embrace Digital Artifacts, But Are They Ready? As museums begin to collect digital artifacts such as NFTs and interactive online art, curators face new challenges in preservation, authenticity, and public engagement. This shift could redefine how institutions archive culture in the digital age. Read more in The Art Newspaper.
- AI’s Robot Problem Google’s mission to give AI a physical form is proving to be a monumental challenge. With robots needing massive amounts of data to function beyond basic tasks, the project highlights the complexities and limitations of merging AI with robotics. Read more in Wired.
- Booker Prize Longlist Features Debut Novelists The 2024 Booker Prize longlist has been announced, with several debut novelists among the nominees. Read more in The Guardian.
- James Earl Jones: More Than Just a Voice While best known for his iconic voice, James Earl Jones’ career spanned over 60 years with more than 200 roles in theater, film, and television. This article explores the depth of his work beyond his voice. Read more in The New Yorker.
- Cultural Tourism in Australia Becomes a Billion-Dollar Industry Once barely existent, cultural tourism in Australia has expanded dramatically over the last 40 years, now involving indigenous communities and spreading beyond big cities, with the arts playing a crucial role. Read more in ArtsHub.
As usual, the rest of our stories are below. If you like AJ, pass along this newsletter to colleagues so they can subscribe. Have a great weekend.
Doug
