Language Decline, Museum Labor, and Mackintosh's Fate

Research shows people speak 338 fewer words per day annually, with the steepest decline among under-25s, as reported by The New Yorker. Meanwhile, a Mississippi teacher notes capable students refuse to read (Wired), and Meta tests an AI bedtime story app (TechCrunch), suggesting automation erodes language moments. In Chicago, cultural events generated $395 million for the Loop last quarter, up 20% (Chicago Sun-Times), yet the Art Institute of Chicago laid off its entire custodial staff to outsource work, sparking backlash (Chicago Sun-Times). The Glasgow School of Art concluded rebuilding Charles Rennie Mackintosh's fire-damaged building would cost $355 million, which it cannot afford, making reconstruction unlikely (The New York Times). The Louvre reopened the gallery where crown jewels were stolen last fall; the room is now empty but architecturally interesting (AFP via MSN).