The job? "To imagine future threats to national security. So far, sci-fi novelists from the Red Team Defense project have written more than a dozen stories and published two books dealing with warfare based on mass disinformation, bioterrorism and a pirate nation. Even President Macron is reading them." - France 24
The technocultural norms and habits that have seized us during the triple revolution of the internet, smartphones, and the social web are themselves in need of a thorough correction. Too many people have allowed these technologies to simply wash over them. - The Atlantic
"The union is demanding a 19-piece live orchestra, as mandated by contracts, barring 'special situation' exemptions. Producers want the show as it has been for 10 years, with actors singing mostly to pre-recorded backing tracks, which they say is an inherent reflection of the karaoke culture of the Philippines." - Variety
Attention must be paid to the core audience that has stuck it out and been filling these doddering old venues with their seasoned laughter and empathy. The Tony Awards on Sunday really ought to add one more prize to the evening’s roster — a special award to the stalwart Broadway theatergoer. - Los Angeles Times
"It will mark a new era for the (Royal Opera House) at a critical time, amid an arts education crisis, government funding threats and the ongoing 'culture wars'." Scappucci, who hosts a popular TV show in Italy, assumes the role in 2025, alongside music director Jakub Hrůša. - The Observer (UK)
The 15th-century icon of the Trinity by Andrei Rublev, Russia's most revered icon painter, was moved from Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery into Christ the Savior Cathedral, and the Moscow Patriarchate's possession, on Putin's personal orders, against conservators' warnings that the work is too fragile to move. - AP
"BP's sponsorship of the British Museum has ended after 27 years, new disclosures make clear, bringing to a close one of the highest-profile and most controversial of such deals in recent years, and marking the almost complete retreat of the fossil fuel giant from the British arts world." - The Guardian
"The 'yes' vote does not trigger a strike, but allows the union's top negotiators to potentially call a work stoppage once their TV/theatrical contracts have expired on June 30, if negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers falter." - The Hollywood Reporter
After a Grammy-winning 16-year tenure, the Costa Rican conductor will finish his term as full-time music director, but he will lead the orchestra part-time as music director laureate for the following two seasons, pending the arrival of his successor. - Nashville Scene
"The Rijksmuseum said the exhibition that drew on collections around the world to bring together 28 of the 37 paintings generally ascribed to Vermeer attracted 650,000 visitors from 113 countries during its 16-week run that started in early February." - AP
In 1959, she accompanied her husband, bossa nova star João Gilberto, and Antônio Carlos Jobim to a New York recording session with Stan Getz. The producer wanted an English-language version of the song to reach the US audience, and she was the only musician there who could sing it. - The Guardian
In the past 50 years, despite overall economic growth, the quality of life for most Americans has declined. The wealthy have become wealthier, while the incomes and wages of the median American family have stagnated. As a result, our social pyramid has become top-heavy. - The Atlantic
“You did not ask for my permission to copy my photo and I am ‘not laughing.’ Please do not force me to ask Instagram to delete,” Goldsmith in a direct message on Instagram, asking him to remove the post. - Artnet
Last year, when the average price of admission rose to $35.99 from $28.73, many customers—already battered by the highest level of inflation in decades—decided a visit to Six Flags wasn’t worth the price. The company recorded 20.4 million visits last year, 26% fewer than in 2021. - Wall Street Journal
These showings have numerous advantages over their evening counterparts. The tickets are typically cheaper, for one. Daytime movie audiences also tend to be more relaxed, and to go alone. - The Atlantic
