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Culture Archive

Archives for September 2015

Culture
New Johnny Depp movie Black Mass is Obviously Failed Oscarbait. Learn to spot the signs.New Johnny Depp movie Black Mass is Obviously Failed Oscarbait. Learn to spot the signs.
Culture

The actors — including a Voldemort-esque Depp — are giving their all. But there’s not nearly enough there to give.

By Emily St. James
Culture
2015 Emmys picks: Here’s who should win every one of TV’s top prizes2015 Emmys picks: Here’s who should win every one of TV’s top prizes
Culture

We’ve found room to reward everything from Inside Amy Schumer to Game of Thrones

By Emily St. James
Color film was built for white people. Here’s what it did to dark skin.
Video

The unfortunate history of racial bias in photography

By Estelle Caswell
Syria
Ahmed Mohamed: The 14-year-old Texas boy and why he matters, explainedAhmed Mohamed: The 14-year-old Texas boy and why he matters, explained
Syria

Here is the story of Ahmed Mohamed, why it’s become such a big deal, and what it reveals about American society.

By Max Fisher
Culture
Game of Thrones’ Kit Harington might be done trying to keep Jon Snow’s fate a secretGame of Thrones’ Kit Harington might be done trying to keep Jon Snow’s fate a secret
Culture

His latest press tour included quite a slip.

By Caroline Framke
Almanac
Wikipedia’s lamest edit wars show why the site is amazing and infuriatingWikipedia’s lamest edit wars show why the site is amazing and infuriating
Almanac

Wikipedia’s elite users will fight over anything. It’s hilarious — and highly productive.

By Phil Edwards
Culture
How a star of The League convinced the world he was a 9/11 survivorHow a star of The League convinced the world he was a 9/11 survivor
Culture

Steve Rannazzisi, who plays Kevin on the FXX comedy, confessed to lying for 14 years about working in the World Trade Center.

By Genevieve Koski
Culture
Best Time Ever is NBC in a nutshell: frantic, desperate, a little sociopathicBest Time Ever is NBC in a nutshell: frantic, desperate, a little sociopathic
Culture

The network desperately wants to target Middle Americans. Why can’t it stop condescending to them?

By Emily St. James
Fall TV: The best and worst of 2015
Culture

Muppets! Supergirl! Spaceships! Musical numbers! And a bunch of other things both good and bad.

By Emily St. James
Technology
Snapchat Inks NFL Deal to Bring Football Into Its Live StoriesSnapchat Inks NFL Deal to Bring Football Into Its Live Stories
Technology

The two entities will split ad revenue tied to the content.

By Kurt Wagner
Books
Judy Blume’s advice on puberty, parenting, and writingJudy Blume’s advice on puberty, parenting, and writing
Books

Blume approached the awkward fragility of puberty with grace and humor.

By Margarita Noriega
Culture
That Matt Damon diversity comment was no accident. It’s his show’s point.That Matt Damon diversity comment was no accident. It’s his show’s point.
Culture

In its fourth season, Project Greenlight examines the core reasons Hollywood isn’t more diverse.

By Emily St. James
Almanac
In the 1950s, people didn’t want internet. They dreamed of “electronic home libraries.”In the 1950s, people didn’t want internet. They dreamed of “electronic home libraries.”
Almanac

The future used to involve books projected on your ceiling.

By Phil Edwards
Culture
Reboots, remakes, and reimaginings: a guide to confusing Hollywood terminologyReboots, remakes, and reimaginings: a guide to confusing Hollywood terminology
Culture

The reaction to a newly announced Mary Poppins feature reveals that we’ve gotten a little confused about how we talk about movies that are repurposing old content in new ways.

By Genevieve Koski
Technology
Warner Bros. Sells Digital Content Distribution Service to Vubiquity as It Trims CostsWarner Bros. Sells Digital Content Distribution Service to Vubiquity as It Trims Costs
Technology

The acquisition dramatically increases Vubiquity’s reach.

By Dawn Chmielewski