Culture
- AP News
Hollywood movies rarely reflect climate change crisis. These researchers want to change that
informed Summary
- A study conducted by researchers at Maine’s Colby College and Good Energy, a Los Angeles-based environmental consultancy, found that the vast majority of Hollywood movies do not reflect the current climate crisis. The researchers surveyed 250 movies from 2013 to 2022 and found that fewer than 10% passed their "climate reality check" test.
Culture3 min read - Vox
Why AI art will always kind of suck
informed Summary
- AI tools like DALL-E, ChatGPT and others are being hailed as democratizing creativity, but their output is often seen as hollow and lacking in depth. These tools generate content based on patterns in the data they were trained on, but often fail to capture the nuances and subtext that make human-created art meaningful.
Culture13 min read - Vox
The real reason it costs so much to go to a concert
informed Summary
- The process of buying concert tickets has become increasingly difficult and expensive due to high demand and the practices of ticket resale companies. The average ticket price for the top 100 music tours in 2023 was $122.84, a huge increase from $40.74 in 2000.
Culture10 min read - Vox
Why movies and albums both got so long
informed Summary
- The length of pop culture content -- such as albums and movies -- has been increasing, with critics arguing that they are becoming too long. The average length of a top 10 movie has increased from two hours in 1993 to 2 hours and 23 minutes in 2023, while albums have been trending longer since the 1990s.
Culture8 min read - El Pais
How the world’s most isolated country is secretly involved in Western animation
informed Summary
- North Korea's Scientific Educational Korea studio, also known as the April 26 Study, has been used to bring foreign currency into the country through animation commissions from Europe and work on popular shows and movies like The Simpsons Movie, Futurama: Bender’s Big Score, and episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Culture6 min read - DW
Michelin star awarded to Mexican taco stand for first time
informed Summary
- The Michelin Guide has awarded a star to a small taqueria in Mexico City, Tacos El Califa de Leon, marking the first time such a restaurant has received the prestigious accolade.
Culture2 min read - AP News
A combustible Cannes is set to unfurl with 'Furiosa,' 'Megalopolis' and a #MeToo reckoning
informed Summary
- The 77th Cannes Film Festival is set to take place amidst a backdrop of war, protest, potential strikes, and the #MeToo movement in France. Festival workers are threatening to strike, and the Israel-Hamas war and Russia's war in Ukraine are expected to spark protests.
Culture5 min read - CNN
Eurovision’s slogan is ‘United by Music.’ The reality turned out very different
informed Summary
- The Eurovision Song Contest 2024, won by Switzerland, was marked by deep political divisions over Israel's inclusion amid its government's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This led to boycotts by some fans, protests and increased security measures.
Culture5 min read - NBC
The lights are going out for Hong Kong’s iconic neon signs
informed Summary
- Hong Kong's iconic neon signs, which have been a symbol of the city's transformation into an international financial center, are disappearing due to the availability of cheaper LEDs, tightening regulations, and enhanced government safety inspections.
Culture3 min read - El Pais
‘Let It Be’: The cursed Beatles film makes a luminous comeback
informed Summary
- The Beatles' film "Let It Be," which was seen as a chronicle of the band's demise, has been remastered and released on Disney+. The film was originally recorded during stressful sessions in January 1969 and wasn't released until May 1970 -- after the band had broken up.
Culture6 min read - CNN
Israel is invited to Europe’s biggest party — and the mood is turning sour
informed Summary
- The Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, is facing controversy due to Israel's participation. A pro-Palestinian protest, expecting at least 20,000 attendees, is planned to coincide with the event.
Culture6 min read - El Pais
Hugh Grant: ‘Hollywood gave me up, but it left life free for other things’
informed Summary
- Hugh Grant's acting career has been marked by a variety of roles, from romantic comedies to children's movies and, more recently, darker roles. Despite claiming to detest acting, he continues to work in the industry, with recent parts in "The Regime" and "Unfrosted".
Culture8 min read - AP News
A Chinese flavor of rap music is flourishing as emerging musicians find their voices
informed Summary
- In 2018, Chinese media censors issued a directive to the entertainment industry not to feature artists with tattoos or those who represent hip-hop or any other subculture. This led to a temporary silence in the hip-hop scene, but by the end of the year, the genre was back in full swing.
Culture8 min read - CNBC
F1's fanbase is shifting — and the 'Netflix effect' is only part of that
informed Summary
- The Netflix series "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" has been credited with increasing interest in F1 in the U.S., but its impact on actual race viewership has been smaller than suggested.
Culture4 min read - NPR
So your property has been 'Banksy-ed.' Now what?
informed Summary
- A piece of Banksy's street art, titled "Mobile Lovers," appeared on the wall of a youth center in the English city of Bristol a decade ago. The property's manager moved the piece indoors to protect it from threats of damage, Ultimately, it was sold to a private collector for £563,000 (around $700,000), with the proceeds given back to the center.
Culture4 min read - CNBC
The Louvre Museum looks to rehouse the 'Mona Lisa' in its own room — underground
informed Summary
- The Louvre Museum in Paris is considering further improvements to the room that houses the Mona Lisa, despite it being renovated only five years ago. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, said that the institution is looking at upgrading the conditions surrounding the painting and the overall visitor experience.
Culture2 min read - CNN
I just don’t get Taylor Swift
informed Summary
- The article is part of a lighthearted series by CNN where staffers discuss popular things they don't understand or connect with. In this piece, AJ Willingham discusses her indifference towards pop star Taylor Swift.
Culture4 min read - CBS
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's latest class includes Cher, Foreigner and Ozzy Osbourne
informed Summary
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has announced its latest inductees, including Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner and A Tribe Called Quest. Other inductees include Kool & The Gang and Peter Frampton.
Culture2 min read - CBS
North Korea launches 'Friendly Father' song and music video praising Kim Jong Un
informed Summary
- North Korea's state-controlled media released a new song and music video titled "Friendly Father," praising the country's leader, Kim Jong Un. The song was also performed live at an event marking the opening of a new apartment complex in Pyongyang.
Culture2 min read - Vox
It’s impossible to be neutral about Taylor Swift
informed Summary
- Taylor Swift's persona and cultural dominance are more saturated than ever, with her actions and achievements becoming a significant part of pop culture discourse. This is partly due to her exceptional fame and the attention she garners, making her feel inescapable.
Culture6 min read
