Chris Thile Wins MacArthur Grant

In a modest move to make amends for the inexplicable success of artists such as Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, the Universe awarded mandolin-playing, bluegrass-badass Chris Thile a MacArthur "genius" grant today.

Recipients of the grant are nominated anonymously and know nothing about it until they receive notice of the award. The grant of $500,000 is paid over the span of five years. What the recipients do with the money is up to them, but the intent is that it be put toward a creative vision.

The Universe could not be reached for commet, but Thile took to Twitter to express his gratitude, if not disbelief saying, "Utterly sincerely, y’all are the sweetest (if in fact this isn’t an elaborate prank orchestrated by my fellow @punchbrothers)."