The Culture Spoke on True/Slant

Readers,

The Internet is packed with myriad distractions, so let me thank you in advance for somehow navigating through a whole lot of nonsense to this page on True/Slant. But where are you? What will you find here? True/Slant is a new format for journalists, more on that here. As for this blog, you’ll find a place where I will discuss our culture through the lenses of the arts and literature. I’ll post writing about what I find interesting out there in the world: new books, artists of particular intrigue, new exhibitions, dissections of articles and blog posts, and the odd and humorous news items. I’ll cover what the book industry is doing to remake itself, or, in some cases, not remake itself, in this new century of declining readership and digital dominance. I’ll cover the fluctuations and uncertainty looming over the art auction houses. I’ll cover the shuttering of museums and their controversial slimming of their collections in tough times. There will be good new, too, don’t worry.

In this vein, The Culture Spoke will bring some humble light to the great, the asinine, the unfortunate, and the curious stories and images from our culture. Above all, though, it will promote intellect and creativity in the arts and literature. The suffering, or “cratering,” to use the parlance of our times, of the various sectors of the book and visual arts industries is a threat to our own cultural health. When they are underfunded, their toe-hold slipping, the only loser is us. And so this blog will spotlight people who are making a difference, people and organizations whose work is redolent with a brighter future for literature and the arts. The success of this blog will also depend on you, the reader. If the site engages you, outrages you, or perplexes you, leave a comment and tell your neighbors and friends. Even if it makes you nearly catatonic with indifference, get the word out.

Thanks.