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How Twitter Changed The News

That split between the big audience on Facebook and the influential audience on Twitter was instantly obvious to anyone in any newsroom who ever cared to look. - The Verge

Some Movie Theaters Really Want To Bring Back Intermissions

As more major films, including some big hits, run longer than three hours, exhibitors can schedule fewer showings per day — so they want to give the patrons another opportunity to buy popcorn and sodas. And the patrons themselves would very much like to visit the restroom. - The Hollywood Reporter

Do You See/Hear/Smell What I Do? (Probably Not)

New research is uncovering the hidden differences in how people experience the world. The consequences are unsettling. - Aeon

Most Of The World’s French-Speakers Are Now In Africa, And They’re Changing The Language

"Through social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube, they are literally spreading the word, reshaping the French language from African countries, like Ivory Coast, that were once colonized by France." - The New York Times

It Took Argentina’s New President One Day To Shut Down The Ministry of Culture

"Just one day after his December 10 swearing-in, Javier Milei, … a hard-right libertarian economist and former tantric-sex coach who beat out center-left former economic minister Sergio Massa thanks largely to the votes of young jobless men, … signed a decree slashing the number of Argentinian ministries from nineteen to nine." - Artforum

Richard Gaddes, Founder Of Opera Theater Of St. Louis And Former Director Of Santa Fe Opera, Is Dead At 81

"Among the most influential and progressive leaders in American opera, … (he maintained) a commitment to living composers through world and American premieres. He believed opera was a theatrical medium as much as a musical one and had a devotion to advancing the careers of promising young singers." - Santa Fe New Mexican

Charlotte Symphony Makes History, Appointing Black And Openly Gay Conductor As Music Director

Kwamé Ryan, a 53-year-old Trinidadian-Canadian, "studied at Cambridge, lives on the edge of Germany’s Black Forest with his husband, hosts a weekly podcast for tips and life hacks, is into yoga, mountain biking and rugby, and guest-conducts orchestras throughout Europe and the U.S." - Yahoo! (The Charlotte Observer)

Actor Andre Braugher Has Died At 61

He had a breakout role in the 1989 Civil War epic Glory and went on to television stardom in both drama (Homicide: Life on the Street) and comedy (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), winning two Emmys and 11 nominations. In addition, he was an admired Shakespearean actor at New York's Public Theater. - AP

Britain’s National Theatre Appoints Its Next Director: Indhu Rubasingham

"(The appointment marks) the first time that a woman and a person of colour has taken on the biggest role in British theatre. Rubasingham, who has been artistic director of the Kiln theatre since 2012, will take over from Rufus Norris in spring 2025, when his second term ends." - The Guardian

Why Indhu Rubasingham Is An Ideal Choice To Lead Britain’s National Theatre

"Those who dare say she got the job because of her gender should take a closer look at her accomplishments. … (She) has more than enough experience for this job. … She's by all accounts well-respected and well-loved … (and) too talented and experienced to sacrifice quality for any risk she takes." - The Guardian

British Museum Reveals Just How Much Damage Was Done By Its Thieving Ex-Employee

"About 1,500 items (have been) classified as missing or stolen. Around 350 items in the museum’s collection have gold mounts or gems missing and 140 have been damaged by tools" — and that gold has probably been melted down by now. "Just 351 of the stolen items have been recovered." - Artnet

The University Uncancelled

The portrait of a cowed institution has little in common with the reality of campus politics. The truth is that a university, like any other institution, chooses which complaints it will hear, whom it does and does not want to protect. - The New Yorker

The Skeptical Neurologist: Does Simply Visiting A Museum Provide Health Benefits?

The question is whether art exposure, alone, is enough to reap its benefits. In other words, does the simple fact of being in contact with art have specific effects? - The Conversation

A Difference Of Opinions Is Not Fatal (Or Shouldn’t Be)

The most obvious pitfall of contrarianism is that, just like following the crowd, it outsources your judgement to others, albeit in rejection rather than acceptance. It’s also impractical. - The Critic

English National Opera Is Victim To The Notion That The Point Of Art Is “Wellbeing” And Doing Good

Opera’s contribution to health and welfare, its ability to improve lives, is a happy by-product. It is not the point. It is not opera’s job to do social work. Yet unfortunately this is where we find ourselves. - The Critic

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