If you are averse to change, and/or are prone to getting indignant when websites are updated with minute, seemingly inconsequential alterations to their interface/format, you might want to avoid Twitter for a while. The “star” denoting a “favorite” tweet has been replaced by a “heart” denoting a (Facebook-esque?) “like.” In an official statement posted this morning on their blog, Twitter says, “The heart, in contrast [to the old ‘star’], is a universal symbol that resonates across languages, cultures, and time zones. The heart is more expressive, enabling you to convey a range of emotions and easily connect with people.” As of this print, favstar.fm (a website popular among “weird twitter”/twitter comedians, that tracks how Tweets perform, and where users can reward other users with “tweet of the day”-trophies) has not redirected to “heartlike.fm”… yet.
Similarly, if you’re averse to film adaptations of classic novels, and/or try your best (likely in vain) to avoid James Franco’s ubiquity, you might avoid (but also might not, out of continued incredulity over his ability to be everywhere, be able to resist) watching the trailer for his upcoming (but delayed) adaptation of William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. In other news of filmmakers (who you might take a bit more seriously), on Indiewire, Richard Linklater discussed the six films he chose to screen for the Austin Film Society. Meanwhile, Ava DuVernay is also paying homage to other directors, heading the international jury at the Mumbai Film Festival; surrounding her visit, she discussed Indian cinema with The Hollywood Reporter.
Finally, it’s Election Day (which is why many of you reading this are probably still in your pajamas and/or in bed). In case you need some extra incentive to get out and be productive on your day off, ThinkProgress has compiled a list of nine contentious issues on the ballots in various states —from minimum wage to gun control to legalized marijuana—that are riding on the outcome of today’s election. Go vote!