High Culture
featured
How AI learned to paint like Rembrandt
The Rijksmuseum employed an AI to repaint lost parts of Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch.” Here’s how they did it.
Tim Brinkhof
Tim Brinkhof is a Dutch-born, New York-based journalist reporting on art, history, and literature. He studied early Netherlandish painting and Slavic literature at New York University, worked as an editorial[…]
All Stories
Joke theft: Is it really an issue in comedy?
There are several levels of comedy plagiarism, says Paul F. Tompkins.
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13 essential travel products available under $30
Affordable and useful items that will make any trip go more smoothly.
What the third Star Wars trilogy was supposed to be about
Spoiler: Microbiomes in space!
Ghost Stories of Christmas: A chilling Victorian tradition
Here's why scary stories were once an integral part of Christmas Eve festivities.
Who decides whether art is ‘good’ or ‘bad’?
Hierarchies of taste exist in our society, but their roots often reflect more than just the quality of work.
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What makes Christmas movies so popular
These films offer viewers a glimpse into the world as it is could be.
John Cleese: ‘Does it make you laugh?’
Laughing is so contagious that we often forget how subjective humor is.
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The surest path to success is not aiming for success
The Zen of choreographer Merce Cunningham comes alive in a new documentary about his life.
Yann Martel: ‘Transgression is central to art’
Is it acceptable to write a story from the perspective of someone who is completely unlike you?
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Salman Rushie: ‘Write for readers, not for critics’
"You get to this age, you realize that there are people who will not like what you do no matter what you do," says Booker Prize-winner Salman Rushdie.
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How does criticism affect popular culture?
Popularity is slippery, and shouldn't be confused with quality, says critic A.O. Scott.
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9 of the best Star Wars gifts not named Baby Yoda
Baby Yoda merch is on the way, but these Star Wars gifts are available right now.
Move over, math. The universal language is world music.
A new study finds that societies use the same acoustic features for the same types of songs, suggesting universal cognitive mechanisms underpinning world music.
Coldplay stop touring to save the world: Is pop music going sustainable?
"The hardest thing is the flying side of things."
Bring your digital content to the next level with this amazing deal from Scopio
Image ownership and copyright law are huge considerations for anyone producing digital content these days. Scopio offers hundreds of royalty-free images for use anywhere for any purpose.
Perception of musical pitch varies across cultures
Is the way we hear music biological or cultural?
Only two of San Francisco’s 87 public sculptures depict women — its newest will honor Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou will be commemorated in a new permanent art installation in San Francisco. Poet and novelist, Angelou had a storied relationship with the city. She attended the George Washington […]
‘Read 2,000 books’: Werner Herzog’s advice on reading.
The famed German filmmaker offers his thoughts on reading during Eric Weinstein's podcast.
Being and drunkenness: How to party like an existentialist
"A serious party neglects the underlying virtues of playfulness and generosity that make a party authentic."
The secret to Mark Twain’s friendship with Nikola Tesla
Twain and Tesla had similar passions and an amusing friendship.
What an image of Trump golfing says about political cartooning
The cartoon heard 'round the world and what happened after.
Joy Harjo named first Native American poet laureate
"I share this honor with ancestors and teachers who inspired in me a love of poetry," the 68-year-old poet said.
5 books on the meaning of life
A diversity of opinion on the subject of a meaningful life.
Cú Chulainn: Irish mythology’s Incredible Hulk
Humanity has long been obsessed with individuals who, in a fit of rage, transform into something not-quite human. Irish mythology serves up another example.
Take a pause to let your mind work
Why the culture that destroyed attention spans is now turning to podcasts.
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Is acting hazardous? On the risks of immersing oneself in a role.
It's easy to imagine why people link Heath Ledger's death to his treacherous penultimate role.
Confessions of a nerd
The Avengers movies have done a marvelous job melding science and story.
6 thoughtful and inspiring books for children
Books that will sharpen the youthful mind.