The Writers Guild has a new deal — four years, notably longer than the three-year contracts that have been Hollywood’s norm since the 1940s (The Hollywood Reporter). What the guild is really buying is time to figure out how AI reshapes the work before the next negotiation.
That question is all over today’s feed. A NYT freelancer used AI to write a book review, prompting the obvious rejoinder: criticism is a human conversation, not a summary job (The Conversation). Meanwhile, accusations that everything is AI-generated are proliferating so fast that “Proudly Human” verification badges are now a thing — though verifying humanness turns out to be its own problem (The Verge).
Elsewhere, the contraction continues. Portland State has eliminated its once-storied dance program (Oregon ArtsWatch). An Atlanta theatre that just lost its lease is asking its audience for real-estate leads (American Theatre). And the Smithsonian’s board sits with empty seats as the White House stalls appointments (The New York Times).
After 11 years in court, heirs have finally reclaimed a Modigliani looted by the Nazis (The New York Times).
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