“Starting on Monday the ratings board plans to begin introducing computers to the job of deciding whether a game is appropriate for Everyone, for Teens or for Mature gamers (meaning older than 16). To do this the organization has written a program designed to replicate the ingrained cultural norms and predilections of the everyday American consumer, at least when it comes to what is appropriate for children and what isn’t.”
Tag: 04.17.11
Egyptian Antiquities Official Sentenced To Jail Term
“An Egyptian criminal court on Sunday sentenced Egypt’s antiquities minister, Zahi Hawass, to a year in jail and ordered him removed from his job.”
Canadian Arts Prizes Go AWOL
“The Canada Prizes for the Arts and Creativity was part of the 2009 Conservative budget but not a single prize or a single penny has been handed out. Backed by the founders of Toronto’s Luminato Festival, along with the National Ballet School’s Jeff Melanson, the prizes were to be bestowed on top international artists in various disciplines at the Toronto festival.”
Ostracized NY Museum Prepares To Come Back To Life
“Life as a cultural pariah ended in October when the museum directors suspended their sanctions in recognition of the National Academy Museum actions toward better financial planning and management. And now it is preparing to reopen its complex, on Fifth Avenue and 89th Street, in September with a reconstituted board, increased financial oversight and an interior refashioned by a $3.5 million renovation.”
A Controversial Idea: The Reason We Do Good
“The puzzle of altruism is more than just a technical curiosity for evolutionary theorists. It amounts to a high-stakes inquiry into the nature of good.”
Did Well-Intentioned Laws Harm Indigenous Art Market?
“These well-intentioned interventions into Aboriginal art have had a mixed effect. In fact, there is increasing evidence they are contributing to the deep malaise afflicting the entire indigenous art market.”
Australians Battle Over Indigenous Art
“Five years after The Australian reported on claims of unscrupulous behaviour in Aboriginal art, prompting a Senate inquiry under the Howard government, the industry remains divided and the market has lost ground despite government efforts to regulate the sector. Several galleries have been forced to close and long-running disputes have deepened between art centres and dealers.”
Seattle’s Intiman Theatre Suspends Operations, Cancels Season
“Intiman, founded in 1972 and winner of a 2006 Tony Award for outstanding American regional theater, has debuted important stage works that went on to national acclaim, been a showcase for major talent, and provided educational and outreach programs.”
Change Of Era: Nordstrom Cuts Pianists
A spokesman for Nordstrom said in a statement that the company has “learned that most customers like the energy and environment that a more contemporary, recorded music offering helps create.”
Opera Looks At Technology
“Opera, from the time of the Baroque era to the present has been dedicated to new technology. But we have reached a point in which changes in tools and society are accelerating so fast, opera and its audience need help keeping up.”