"We are not what we know but what we are willing to learn."    - Mary Catherine Bateson

"Gal Beckerman has written a book about process as if process were an end in itself. Because it usually is.

"The Quiet Before is a quirky, delightful mix of a book that explores the intellectual impulses behind a series of cultural shifts and political revolts occurring across continents and centuries. Beckerman scours scientific correspondence from Europe’s Republic of Letters, parses Twitter debates by Black Lives Matter Twitter activists, tracks Soviet-era samizdat writings and revels in 1990s Riot Grrrl zines, to name just a few of the movements and moments he considers, delving into the principles and grievances behind them all. However, his focus is on how these movements communicated — the ways that writers and intellectuals shared, argued and refined ideas before inflicting them on the world. 'If we rewind to the instant when a solid block of shared reality is first cracked,' Beckerman writes, 'it’s usually a group of people talking.' Talking does not just reflect thinking, but shapes it, too, or — to use a favorite Beckerman word — incubates it." - Carlos Lozada

"By placing musicians at polling locations across the country on Election Day, we aim to make voting a celebration of democracy, encouraging more people to participate in the electoral process.

"Our journey began in 2020, during a time of significant political and social challenges. Despite the uncertainty, we successfully mobilized 1,500 musicians to perform at 700 polling locations nationwide, creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for voters. The overwhelmingly positive response from both musicians and voters demonstrated the powerful impact that music can have on the democratic process." - Play for the Vote

Website: Play for the Vote

"Gen Z’s cultural tastes are heralded, maligned and mythologised in almost equal measure. But one stereotype persists above all: that young people are addicted to their phones, keen to live their lives primarily through a screen.

"But is this the whole picture? A survey commissioned by the Booksellers Association ahead of Bookshop Day (on October 12) has found that gen Z and millennials are more likely to buy a book based on a bookseller’s recommendation – in person, in a bookshop – than older age groups: 49% and 56% respectively, compared with 37% of gen X and 31% of baby boomers. Booksellers from around the UK told me this wasn’t surprising – that, in the last few years, they’ve noticed a sharp rise in young readers coming into their shops seeking out human guidance, eager to be in a physical store rather than filtering through AI and influencer-recommended titles online." - Sarah Manavis

Article: ‘I Love the Whole Atmosphere and Can Spend Hours Browsing’: How Did Bookshops Suddenly Become Cool?

"One thing that doesn’t seem to drive most people to libraries? Financial hardship. In fact, the higher your income, the more regularly you avail yourself of their free books, spaces and services.

"And while we can’t say for sure, it seems bookstores and libraries complement each other more than they compete. A near-unanimous 92 percent of Americans with a favorable attitude toward bookstores also have a favorable attitude toward libraries. About 58 percent of U.S. readers get at least some of their books from libraries, and the more you read, the more you rely on libraries." - Andrew Van Dam

"When newspaper veteran Ross McDuffie became the first-ever chief portfolio officer for the National Trust for Local News, the nonprofit organization owned two dozen newspapers in Colorado and generated around $5 million in earned revenue.

"A little more than a year and a half later, the Trust has grown rapidly by nearly every measure. After new rounds of acquisitions and launching its first new local newspaper, the National Trust for Local News currently has:

• 65 newspapers across three states (Colorado, Maine, and Georgia)
• 500 employees, about half of whom are journalists
• 100,000 paying subscribers
• 300,000 copies of a print product distributed per month
• $50 million in earned revenue
• 2.5 million unique monthly visitors

"(In September), McDuffie shared these figures with a full room at the Online News Association’s annual conference. Attendees had gathered to hear when — and how — to revive a legacy brand, or start something new in local news. The Trust has done both." - Sarah Scire

Article: The National Trust for Local News Keeps Buying Local Newspapers. Here’s What They’ve Learned. 

"Le Point Millepages is a well-known independent bookstore located in Vincennes, near Paris, France. Established in 1980, the store offers a wide selection of books across different genres, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, and comics. It has become a local cultural hub, hosting author signings, book clubs, literary events, and discussions. Millepages is recognized for its curated collection and the expertise of its staff, who provide personalized recommendations.

"The store's name reflects its dedication to literature, with 'millepages' meaning 'thousand pages,' symbolizing the vastness of the literary world they celebrate." - ChatGPT

Article: Hera, a German Street Artist, Has Made a Name for Herself with Murals That Blend Fine Art and Graffiti.