“I spent much of this weekend, as I often do this time of year, confining myself to writing and thinking about Rudyard Kipling. This may seem like a pretentious thing to be saying, but if you care about war and peace and justice and life and death, then he is an inescapable subject.”
Tag: 11.13.11
John Eliot Gardiner On His Reputation For Being Mean To His Musicians
“I think I’m more sinned against than sinning. People love to pin labels and reputations on you, for being difficult or temperamental. I might’ve been a little bit like that in the past …”
The Crisis Of Cultural Irrelevance (When You’re A Twenty-Something)
A cultural critic realizes that she just doesn’t get the culture of young ones anymore. And then she realizes this, about Kreayshawn: “She was so young and vibrant that I could feel myself withering.”
Don’t Kiss Your Free Will Goodbye. It’s Still There – So Behave
“Simply exposing people to scientific claims that free will is an illusion can lead them to misbehave, for instance, cheating more or helping others less. So, it matters whether these scientists are justified in concluding that free will is an illusion.”
Stop Blaming Architects For Cost Overruns (No One Is To Blame)
No, really, it’s NOT the architect’s fault.
Raise A Youth Baton For Los Angeles, Leader Of U.S. El Sistema
No surprise: Gustavo Dudamel has brought his country’s famed El Sistema to L.A. – and it’s working out pretty well. “My main goal, and it’s a big one, is that every child has a chance to get close to music, as a right, as they have access to food, health, education, they get the chance to have art and culture, especially music,” said Dudamel.
A Sweet Career, A Bitter End In Miami
Artistic director Edward Villella, forced out at the Miami City Ballet, says he never could play political games. Board members who supported the ouster aren’t really talking. What gives?
Not-So-Silent Heads At The Table In Los Angeles
Most of the silent heads at Saturday night’s Museum of Contemporary Art fundraiser weren’t sad about it the morning after the extravaganza, despite the famous Yvonne Rainier letter of concern. Says one: “You feel sorry for us because we’re being stared at? But we’re staring at you. Marina gave us all permission to create our own performance space around us — it was a gift.”
Hey Guys? You’re Not As Funny As You Think
Yes, men believe they’re funnier than women. Women think men are funnier too. But a study shows that’s all in the eye, not the funny bone, of the beholder.
Auto-Tune, Making Scientists Sing
If you’re a scientist, how are you supposed to get your ideas out to the masses? Join them! (By using Auto-Tune. Obviously.)