From the release of George R.R. Martin's latest 'Game of Thrones' material to celebrities' advice for teens, here are five things we loved in Culture this week.
- We can almost feel the Winds of Winter as George R.R. Martin released a chapter from the long-awaited sixth installment in the Song of Ice and Fire series—that's Game of Thrones, for those who just watch the HBO series. The sample chapter, posted to Martin's blog, takes place in the southern Westeros region of Dorne, with events and characters that won't be appearing on the hit TV show, which has diverged from the source material. The chapter may not be enough to tide fans over, though, as Martin says he's still months away from finishing the book.
- We spent the week exploring Radiohead's ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, which was finally released online after much speculation. The collection, dripping in regret and grief, also manages to be the band's most "human" and "warmest" record, Newsweek's Zach Schonfeld writes. A Moon Shaped Pool retain's the band's trademark studio perfectionism while moving away from the "most claustrophobic electronic elements" from the Kid A/Amnesiac era and features several songs that have been in the band's repertoire for year's without making it to a studio collection.
- Turn your nervousness into excitement. Face your insecurities. Don't be afraid to fail. These and other words of advice were offered by Bill Nye, Nikki Glaser and Michael Jordan, respectively, when we asked celebrities what they wished they'd known as teenagers for The State of the American Teenager. The special report comes on the 50th anniversary of Newsweek's landmark cover story,"The Teen-Agers: A Newsweek Survey of What They're Really Like," investigating everything from politics and pop culture to teens' views on their parents, their future and the world.
- Anyone within driving distance of an IMAX theater has the chance to see what it's like to view the Earth from space. A Beautiful Planet, a film shot by astronauts on the International Space Station, gives the viewer an intimate portrait of the daily lives of astronauts while offering perspective on the awe-inspiring views that they see every day, but on a 60-by-80-foot screen.
- Some of Prince's friends gathered this week for a quiet memorial to honor the late pop superstar. Prince's ex-wives Manuela Testolini and Mayte Garcia organized the event at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills, and guests included Spike Lee and Tavis Smiley. Prince's family plans an official, public memorial: "We would like everyone to know that, contrary to previous and current reports, there has been no memorial, funeral or tribute service for Prince that was organized or authorized by the family or Paisley Park representatives. Together, the family is planning an official memorial service and public event to take place in the near future."
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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