The most valuable rights that don't exist

+ labor market loses steam US Edition - Today's top story: Michael Oher, Mike Tyson and the question of whether you own your life story [View in browser]( US Edition | 2 September 2023 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( If you want to write a book or make a movie about someone, do they deserve a share of the royalties? At the very least, do you need to consult them? Former NFL player Michael Oher has sued his conservators, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, claiming that they made millions off his life story. Mike Tyson has complained that Hulu “stole” his life story after the streaming service released a miniseries about the ex-boxer without consulting him. According to law professors Jorge L. Contreras and Dave Fagundes, people often assume they deserve to be compensated for appearing in someone else’s work because headlines about film studios and publishers acquiring “life story rights” abound. They explain that [the phrase “life story rights” is a misnomer](: Thanks to the First Amendment, anyone’s life is fair game for journalists, writers and filmmakers – provided a couple of important lines aren’t crossed. This week we also liked articles about [Peruvian futurism](, how very [hot weather can mess up machines]( and why your [fingers get wrinkly after a long bath](. Nick Lehr Arts + Culture Editor Michael Oher and his family celebrate his selection by the Baltimore Ravens at the 2009 NFL Draft. Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images [Michael Oher, Mike Tyson and the question of whether you own your life story]( Jorge L. Contreras, University of Utah; Dave Fagundes, University of Houston Law Center Publishers and studios routinely pay large sums to acquire ‘life story rights.’ Two law scholars explain why the phrase is misleading. An artist’s vision of a future underwater Lima, Peru, graces the cover of the short story collection ‘Llaqtamasi.’ Art by Juan Diego León via Pandemonium Editorial [Peruvian writers tell of a future rooted in the past and contemporary societal issues]( Rocio Quispe Agnoli, Michigan State University In the Global South, a group of writers are rejecting the norms of science fiction and commenting on the future in a way that embraces Indigenous culture. Economists are feeling dismal for a reason. IS/Getty Images [Jobs are up, wages less so – and lower purchasing power could still lead the US into a recession]( Christopher Decker, University of Nebraska Omaha The latest labor figures are less encouraging than they might seem. - [Machines can’t always take the heat − two engineers explain the physics behind how heat waves threaten everything from cars to computers]( Srinivas Garimella, Georgia Institute of Technology; Matthew T. Hughes, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) People aren’t the only ones harmed by heat waves. The hotter it gets, the harder it is for machines to keep their cool. - [Iran’s street art shows defiance, resistance and resilience]( Pouya Afshar, UMass Lowell Iranian artists are showing renewed determination to promote freedom as a cultural necessity in Iran, even in the face of a government crackdown. - [Why do fingers get wrinkly after a long bath or swim? A biomedical engineer explains]( Guy German, Binghamton University, State University of New York Recent research suggests blood vessels are the key to why fingers and toes turn pruny and pale after being submerged for a while. - [North America’s summer of wildfire smoke: 2023 was only the beginning]( - [Trans students benefit from gender-inclusive classrooms, research shows – and so do the other students and science itself]( - [Judicial orders restricting Trump’s speech seek to balance his own constitutional rights]( - [Prescriptions for fruits and vegetables can improve the health of people with diabetes and other ailments, new study finds]( - [Year-round school: Difference-maker or waste of time?]( - [Workers like it when their employers talk about diversity and inclusion]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( Which American union announced in August that 97% of its members had authorized a strike “if the Big Three refuse to reach a fair deal"? - A. Directors Guild of America - B. Directors Guild of America - C. The Teamsters - D. United Auto Workers [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Trying out new social media? Follow us: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Spoutible]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. [Donate now to support research-based journalism]( [The Conversation]( You’re receiving this newsletter from [The Conversation]( 303 Wyman Street, Suite 300 Waltham, MA 02451 [Forward to a friend]( • [Unsubscribe](