Stories

“‘There’s an authenticity here that is beautiful,’ she said. ‘There’s a poetry to it all.'” - The New York Times

That’s not just hurting theatres and symphonies - it’s also hurting bars and nightclubs. Hence: “Welcome to the daytime rave, where you can dance, meet people and still be curled up on the sofa afterwards.” (Maybe orchestras need to take that hint?) - The Guardian (UK)

Lisa Ko “was subjected to weeks of harassment as well as a broader smear campaign in the media which resulted in a loss of professional opportunities,” and many of her fellow authors will not have it. - LitHub

What would Jane Austen - who adored Lizzy - “have made of her modern readers’ more recent obsession with the middle Bennet sister, the plain and unremarkable Mary?” - The New York Times

But now, “there are multiple somber YouTube video essays about the lack of conviviality in multiplayer lobbies, and most of them bear titles that gesture toward an elemental wound in the culture.” - Slate

Alarmingly, “these stories seem to be doing an inordinate amount of work to help children feel warm toward the technologies that increasingly dominate our lives.” - The New York Times

“When people post photos from movie theaters they are ostensibly doing it for their online communities, but they are ignoring the communal experience they are having at that very moment.” - The New York Times

“The bigger venues are so desirable that studios and distributors will put holds on them a year in advance, sometimes before they even know what films they’ll have.” - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo News)

At least, at the OED. "It’s been quite a journey for “brain rot,” which triumphed over a shortlist of contenders including 'lore,’ 'demure,' 'romantasy,' 'dynamic pricing' and 'slop.'" - The New York Times

Amitav Ghosh says, “The planetary crisis, in the broadest sense, … has been brought about by a story: a story of endless profit, endless growth, of individualism” - and that story starts early in English-language literature. - Irish Times

Caserta and Joplin bonded over a pair of jeans. “The two became fast friends, occasional lovers and then dope-shooting comrades, even as their fortunes rose.” - The New York Times

“This one featured a cast of four different artists: Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Ice Spice, and the late Juice WRLD. And it turned each one of the large lineup into a kaiju-sized performer.” It’s a game/movie/music mashup first - but it’s just life to the people playing Fortnite. - The Verge

The studio was shooting the Bond action sequences away from the rest of the film, and Cuarón felt weird about that: "I learned the lesson that some films I prefer to watch and not do.”  - Variety

First, throw away the butterflies and rainbows, says Maggie O’Farrell. - The Guardian (UK)

For one thing, it’s good for your brain. “Plenty of research shows that adults could benefit from playing music. Doing so is neuroprotective.” - The Atlantic