“The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, which runs the popular Mütter Museum, announced plans on Monday to expand its footprint at 22nd and Chestnut Streets with a new, accessible entrance, larger galleries, educational and event spaces, an upgraded gift shop, and a renovated core gallery for the museum.” - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
Many universities, not all, but many, were for a period of time deeply focused on identity diversity, and really not so focused on viewpoint diversity or belief diversity. I think there’s a danger of a pendulum swinging too far in the other direction. - The New York Times
The departments of English, classics, philosophy, world languages and Spanish and Latino studies, for example, will be grouped into the tentatively titled School of Human Narratives and Creative Expressions. - The New York Times
“After the (NEA) canceled a large percentage of its awards in May, organizations across the country have decided they would rather find money elsewhere than be subject to federal restrictions. … It is a decision that they say prioritizes free speech and creative expression without fear of restrictions or retribution.” - The New York Times
“It can now be hard to remember that colorblind casting was once an inflammatory proposition. … But the triumphal march of colorblind casting — hiring actors of any race to play roles originally designated for just one — has taken a detour this year.” - The New York Times
As one former museum director put it about Leonard Lauder and Agnes Gund, “They could open doors, they could bring people together, they would give money, they would give art. It takes three different board members to contribute what they could.” Yet today there are few such people around. - The New York Times
Across the developed world, since the 1930s, there’s been what’s called the Flynn effect: IQ scores overall have been rising by about three points a decade — through the turn of the millennium, that is. Social scientist Elizabeth Dworak has documented the effect reversing since 2006. This surprises few people. - New York Magazine (MSN)
First, they repeatedly play a little melody on a glockenspiel or dinner chime or marimba as they stroll through the lobbies. Then, says one longtime usher at the Metropolitan Opera, “We have to push them, kind of like moving cattle.” - The New York Times
Visitors to Washington have a new, free attraction: the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream. After a $500 million renovation of two former banks across from the Treasury Department, the center opened in September to explore the past, present and future of this enduring but elusive aspiration. - Washington Post
Dynamic pricing is common, and as one performing arts critic pointed out, it “can shift in both directions, with prices increasing when tickets start selling out at popular shows but also decreasing where demand is slower.” - BBC
“Personal data isn’t just a record of who we are. It’s our actions, transactions, locations, conversations, preferences, inferences, and vulnerabilities. It’s our identities, our intimate selves, our hopes and dreams, and our fears and flaws.” - Fast Company
Bob Iger knows it’s, uh, interesting to be suing some AI companies while courting others. “'It's obviously imperative for us to protect our IP with this new technology,’ Iger said.” - NPR
“Many of its nearly 50 grant programs have been paused or ended. … About two thirds of the staff has been laid off and, last month, most members of the scholarly council that must review a majority of grants were abruptly fired by the White House.” - The New York Times
