A new study finds that men who participate in "cultural activities" — either as creators or audience members — are happier those who don't. (The effect is less pronounced in women: "Men seemed to get more of a percieved health benefit from being involved in different receptive cultural activites than women did," study author Koenraad Cuypers told LiveScience.) Is there truth to this? Well, I am very cultured — I know all the art, like the one with Jesus (?), and the one that's just one color (white, I think, or black?) — and I am very, very happy. So... yes. [dons monocle] [LiveScience]

Planning on attending the spring art auctions this week? You might want to bring a spare suitcase-full-of-cash or two: At least a dozen pieces are priced in the $20 million range, including works by Picasso, Monet (pronounced Mo-neyyy), and Maurice de Vlaminck (he was a Fauve). But how can a poor struggling artist like yourself get that kind of dough?

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has deemed 46 cultural practices from around the world part of the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity." French cuisine made the cut, as did the Kirkpinar oil wrestling festival in Turkey. Watch!

Derek Paravicini is blind, can't tell one hand from the other, and can't hold a conversation. He can, however, play any song on the piano—from memory—in any key and in any style. His incredible 60 Minutes profile, inside.

Prior to the World Cup, officials in South Africa were bracing for an influx of up to 40,000 prostitutes to handle horny soccer fans. But the need never materialized, with visitors largely choosing "cultural" activities, like art museums, instead.

The Library of Congress is adding Tupac's "Dear Mama," along with 24 other recordings, to its National Recording Registry today for their cultural significance. The program coordinator said the song was chosen because it is "relatively tame." What, no Biggie?

Plans for a National Museum of Hip-Hop have already hit a major snag: the old school founders of the culture want to get paid. Does the world owe anything to the innovators—who were screwed as subculture became pop culture?

After McDonald's and the Black Eyed Peas, America's most successful cultural exports are the Bloods and Crips. Londoners have recognized that our gangs are much stronger brands! But they're doing Blue-on-Red gang war the UK way.

Now that tea partiers have proven that what Americans don't want is health-care coverage, we're forced to ask: What do Americans want? To be reassured God loves us and that death is no big deal. Also: To be scared shitless!

Uhhh, clearly California legislators have not been studying our list of Places People Can Always Smoke, No Takebacks. They're now trying to outlaw smoking at state parks and at beaches. Is there no smokin' nature left?

You know why people all around the world love America so much? They envy us because we don't give a shit. We don't care about their religions, their culture, their food, or their stupid 500-year-old fountains. USA! USA!

Disney is marketing Alice in Wonderland to Goths with a soundtrack featuring The Cure and "an extensive line of clothing and accessories" at Hot Topic, including a "black shackle bracelet for $10." So much for that. [WSJ]

Just in time for the Grammy's! An awesome gossip item today about Warner Music co-chairman Michael Fleisher, who cheated on his wife with a young waitress, and then stalked her. But one thing stuck out about Fleisher's exploratory-prone penis.

Divine Florida Gators quarterback and bona-fide Christian soldier Tim Tebow has everyone riled up about his upcoming anti-abortion Super Bowl ad. The arguing's unnecessary. You're only hurting yourself, Timmy. America's not ready for a Jesus Freak Superstar.

The New York Times just sent out an internal memo announcing that Jonathan Landman—currently the deputy managing editor and head of the paper's digital operations—will succeed Sam Sifton as the paper's culture editor. Full memo below.

Thanks to the magic of advertising, we now know what The Simpsons would look like if they were Angolan. Huh. Angolans sell everything to buy big speakers, apparently. [Click to enlarge. Via Copyranter at AnimalNY]

Things I Did On My July 4th Vacation: hit up The New Museum's Younger Than Jesus exhibition. It's a contemporary art exhibit showcasing only artists born after 1976. It ends today. Here is what I saw, presented without comment.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art laid off 357 people today. This will save them $10 million—$28,000 per layoff. They still have 2,200 employees. Several uncultured questions:

Recently two films have shocked the world with graphic depictions of violence followed by acts of sex: Bob Dylan's Beyond Here Lies Nothing and Lars Von Trier's Antichrist. Coincidence or zeitgeist? You decide.

If there's anyone who grasps the secrets of cultural "buzz," it's Spatial Information experts employed in academia. There's a new "Geography of Buzz" map that scientifically proves that "buzz" is centered...where events are held.