Stories

The river has “been neglected, trashed and often forgotten over time, myriad governmental and nonprofit groups have been working for years to restore habitat. … And recently, creatives and activists, who dream of transforming it into a hospitable greenway, have been hosting arts events.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)

The actor was a warm internet presence and a proud producer of wine from his vineyard. “At 11, he changed his name to Sam, taking inspiration from characters in Western movies. It was, he added, ‘probably the best decision I made in my life.’” - The New York Times

“The famous work depicts a rural scene near the River Stour in Flatford, but it was actually painted in Constable's London studio.” - BBC

“The best side of a stunt always has to face the lens: The trajectory of a feigned punch, a few degrees off, can look fake to viewers.” - The New York Times

“The free speech wars of recent years are not just about rules – they’re about what it means to be a good person.” - The Guardian (UK)

Big crowds for a church venue, anyway - and a lot of participants. “The choir is full of these intense, amazing, freaky, kooky people, and the community that I've been able to fall into and build has just been a game changer.” - San Francisco Chronicle

The state legislators “are calling for Gov. Gavin Newsom to exempt the state’s film and TV production incentive program from a recently approved cap on corporate tax credits.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)

“On average, Disney has waited 27 years before remaking one of its animated classics as a live-action movie.” Just one problem: They’re out of animated classics to remake. - The New York Times

A painter from Manchester, who focused on the working class, isn’t necessarily what Londoners think. “What we’re hoping to do is actually to bust a few myths. … wasn’t just an industrial painter. He certainly wasn’t naive or isolated.” - The Guardian (UK)

Can genAI art or writing ever, ever be more than mid? - Glasstire

Remember Amazon buying Goodreads, anyone? “The app has become a beloved platform and community for young movie enthusiasts, and is most popular with audiences ages 18 to 35.” - The Guardian (UK)

“We are making real trade-offs as we shift to communication through short-form video, and maybe it will be worth it, but we certainly are losing a lot.” - NPR

How can we tell? Well, a lot of ways. One grim statistic: “Gambling has become a more common leisure activity than reading a book.” - The Atlantic

Last week’s New Yorker has a rather intense article on the uselessness of BookTok for real book discussion. This woman begs to differ. - BBC

Personal testimony is paramount on BookTok; a book is deemed successful if it ‘breaks’ or ‘destroys’ a “reader. The most common book-review content on the app understands books as pleasure-spiking torment factories.” - The New Yorker