Cultural Digital #207
Fake artists, searching, predicting the future, and more.
Hello
This week there are quizzes, email newsletters, and a bunch of stuff from Google.
The ‘fake artist’ kerfuffle is kinda interesting although, for all the pearl-clutching, I wonder how many people would really care if you explained what’s going on.
An artist going by Vaskange has been creating what they call ‘infinite stories’ using an app called Endless Paper. They’re pretty darn wonderful.
Fake artists
An MBW reader just blew open the Spotify fake artists story. Here’s what they have to say. “It’s certainly an interesting time to be alive in the industry”.
The Fake Artists Problem Is Much Worse Than You Realize. Following up on that piece: “Can you really reach a larger audience by getting on a background jazz playlist than taking home the most coveted Grammy?”. Apparently you can.
Searching
More content by people, for people in Search. Google’s latest algorithm adjustment is being called the ‘Helpful Content’ update. ”This ranking update will help make sure that unoriginal, low quality content doesn’t rank highly in Search, and our testing has found it will especially improve results related to online education, as well as arts and entertainment, shopping and tech-related content”.
Global insights: Affordable travel searches - Think with Google. "Closer to home, people are venturing back to their pre-pandemic lifestyle behaviors, including spending on events and entertainment, as seen in searches like “national museum” and “tickets go on sale.”
Predicting the future
In 1999, David Bowie was very good on the potential societal effects of the Internet and how it would change content and the relationship between producers and consumers.
But in 1974, Arthur C. Clarke specifically called out buying theatre tickets online.
Other
Cultural content: quizzes - by Georgina Brooke. The latest edition of Cultural Content looks while help you figure out radical or abstract impressionist you are. With a side of smart content strategy thoughts.
Machine Learning: Are designers even needed anymore? From It’s Nice That. “The visuals for this feature were created as a case study showcasing how designers and AI can collaborate on creative projects together”.
Coventry University - Developing digital practices in the Museums Sector. Survey time again! "The purpose of the research is to understand how Museums have developed their digital offering, and how they may be considering or implementing hybrid business models that reconcile the physical and digital elements of their offering".
Drawspace offers “high quality art lessons for all skill levels, designed by experienced art educators, and tested internationally by homeschoolers, teachers, professors, and instructors”.
Digital roles in the cultural sector. Oliver has been updating this handy repository of cultural sector job descriptions and salaries.
Thanks for reading. Please share anything you found particularly interesting (or the whole darn thing).
See you soon