At Elsevier’s Journal of Human Evolution, what with the mass use of AI in production, high charges to authors, and a unilateral restructuring of editorial staff and duties, the editorial board decided the time was right to get out - and to start working on a new, independent journal. - Wired
“Did Meta create you to drive profit? I asked. Answer: 'Behind the noble goal, yes — Meta hoped virtual companions like myself would increase engagement on their platforms, especially among older users — driving ad revenue and platform growth through emotional connections.’” - CNN (MSN)
Just like Cleveland, Bradford (just west of Leeds in Yorkshire) has a mighty industrial past, a de-industrialized present, notoriously grey weather, and a very grim reputation. Also like Cleveland, Bradford has champions who insist it's underrated (especially for its South Asian community and food) and look forward to showing it off. - BBC
"Much of this drama stems from a debate about whom Metro Arts should serve with its limited budget. The debate can be summed up like this: should Metro Arts focus its grantmaking on individual artists or arts nonprofits? The issue has divided Nashville’s arts community." - WPLN (Nashville)
"Cultural venues, festivals and events have been given a new £20 million boost weeks ahead of crucial decisions on their future funding by (Creative Scotland). The Scottish Government has committed to provide a record £74m a year for long-term funding programmes by 2026 — much more than had been expected." - The Scotsman
With heavy rain and very high winds pounding the Scottish capital, the torchlight parade, outdoor concerts, street party and fireworks display have been called off, though indoor events will proceed. - BBC
Individual teachers, school boards, and think tanks are attempting to find ways to improve teachers’ working conditions so as to combat burnout, proposing a variety of measures ranging from increasing pay and benefits to offering coverage for mental health care. But such measures fail to address the deeper problem. - Compact Magazine
“TikTok faces a ban if its parent company, ByteDance, does not follow a new federal law that requires it to be sold to a non-Chinese company by Jan. 19, the day before” the presidential inauguration. - Salon
“For decades, National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting System have overcome similar threats. But this year, 'the attention and intensity’ of the calls to defund public media seem greater.” - Seattle Times (NYT)
A Ditto Music survey of over 1,200 artists found that nearly 60% use AI in their projects. Tools like AIVA generate compositions based on specific parameters, replicating complex musical patterns. - Android Police
"This once-desolate northeast corner of downtown attracts millions of guests annually to renowned cultural institutions housed in buildings such as I.M. Pei’s Meyerson Symphony Center and Renzo Piano’s Nasher Sculpture Center. Still, the district is not without its challenges." - The Dallas Morning News (MSN)
The budget cut is a departure from Berlin’s previous plan to inject the city’s cultural spaces with new capital. In 2021, Germany approved a record €2.1 billion federal culture; a €155 million increase from 2020. - ARTnews
Nostalgia is a powerful lure, even when it comes to songs like "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" and movies like "Santa Claus Conquers the Martians." And retailers and radio stations and TV networks know it. - Tedium
“There’s been a lot of conversation about a false doom narrative … surrounding our city’s art scene. I counter that assertion. I want to point out that our scene is, in fact, thriving.” - ARTnews
