168 tacks
Why Fascists Love Stories That Hate Them - YouTube
In this video essay, we dive into media literacy and media studies to explore why audiences can watch the exact same story and walk away with completely different readings.
This model is not a real person: how AI is shaking up fashion – video
From digital twins to models ‘sculpted’ by programmers, generative AI has been popping up all over the fashion industry. When an Australian e-commerce retailer started using AI-generated models to sell products, lifestyle editor Alyx Gorman had to see if the garments were more than mere pixels.
The end of the ‘Dumb Dad’ trope
For decades, sitcom dads followed a very familiar formula. They were clueless. Immature. Often the punchline of the joke. From the bumbling father archetype of Homer Simpson to the emotionally distant patriarch in Red Foreman, TV had a very specific idea of what a “funny dad” looked like. And then came Modern Family's Phil Dunphy. He was something completely different. Instead of making the father figure the butt of every joke, Modern Family made him the heart of the show. At a time when sitcoms relied on cynicism and sarcasm, Phil Dunphy stood out by being genuinely kind, without ever losing what made him funny. And in doing so, he changed what audiences expect from sitcom dads forever.
Why are people starting to sound like ChatGPT?
Through feedback loops, AI systems influence how people think and communicate.
Sofia Coppola: The Politics of Pretty
Accessible and nuanced film analysis by Broey Deschanel, looking at three Sofia Coppola films. YouTube description: "In this video we examine Sofia Coppola’s bad faith critics and tell you why we think she’s an auteur!"
Trying to wind down after a hard day's work? Don't turn on your TV
The article explores how modern TV increasingly portrays workplaces as toxic, exhausting, and soul-crushing, reflecting real-world disillusionment with labor. Shows like Severance, The Bear, Hacks, and The Pitt highlight stress, burnout, and emotional detachment, diverging from earlier, more optimistic depictions of office life. As the notion of “work as family” fades, television mirrors a generation grappling with instability, poor work-life balance, and a lack of meaning or reward in their jobs.
Seeing Ourselves on Screen—Screen Australia report
A report indicating increases in the levels of diversity since 2016, including higher representation for First Nations people, disabled people, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and non-European people in Australian TV dramas.
A UCLA Report On Hollywood Finds the Top Shows Are More Diverse
The UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report shows a positive trend towards more diverse casts and creators in top-rated shows. However, there is still a need for improvement, particularly in increasing representation of people with disabilities and ensuring equal budget allocations for diverse creators.
Everyone on LinkedIn is absolutely crushing it – or so it seems
LinkedIn is a platform full of self-promotion, performative success, and exaggerated accomplishments. Despite the cringe, it’s essential for networking and business, even if most users feel like imposters.
Let’s ditch the tired tropes about video games – and research their impact properly | Pete Etchells
The perception of video games has evolved from a niche, negative stereotype to a mainstream cultural force, yet public and academic discussions remain limited, often focusing on harms. A new government research framework aims to address gaps by fostering robust studies, encouraging data sharing, and exploring both the benefits and risks of gaming.
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