Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 
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Amanda Taylor

Posting products to Instagram and other social media platforms and then sharing photos online is changing the face of consumerism in America.
U.S. & World
The Instagram effect: How the psychology of envy drives consumerism
Social media envy is driving consumerism in ways never seen before. Fame and fortune have replaced faith and family as the core of the American Dream, according to research by marketing firm JWT.
By Lane Anderson and Amanda Taylor
HPA Staff: The Harry Potter Alliance
Media & Books
Fiction lovers inspired by favorite characters to make a change in the real world, study shows
Although there’s a line between fantasy and reality, some fiction lovers have been inspired by their favorite characters to make a change in the real world.
By Amanda Taylor
Photos and messages are seen at a roadside memorial at the site of the auto crash that took the life of actor Paul Walker and another man, in the small community of Valencia, Calif., Monday, Dec. 2, 2013.
Family
Actor Paul Walker dies in car crash; was dedicated to charity and family
Paul Walker died Saturday in a car accident at age 40. Best known for his role in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, the actor was also renowned for his charity work, interest in marine biology and involvement in his daughter’s life.
By Amanda Taylor
In this Nov. 15, 2011 photo, a woman pauses as she walks out of the Gap store, in Philadelphia. An ad featuring a Sikh man was defaced with graffiti against Muslims — both inaccurate and inappropriate. Gap responded to outcry on social media.
U.S. & World
Graffiti on Gap ad sparks controversy, response from Gap
An ad featuring a Sikh man was defaced with graffiti against Muslims — both inaccurate and inappropriate. Gap responded to outcry on social media.
By Amanda Taylor
Microsoft, the company behind Xbox live, has been cracking down on the language its users employ while playing games, even suspending accounts that violate their user policy against it
Media & Books
Xbox enforces user policy, suspends accounts that use strong language
Xbox has a no-tolerance policy for foul language in its latest incarnation of communication between gamers.
By Amanda Taylor
Kristen Bell attends the world premiere of “Frozen,” on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, in Los Angeles. The UCLA football team and coach Jim Mora will join Bell in serving Thanksgiving dinner at the Pink Taco restaurant on the Sunset Strip.
U.S. & World
Celebrities help the less fortunate on Thanksgiving
Famous people are spotted serving turkey and cranberries to the needy on Thanksgiving in New York City and Los Angeles.
By Amanda Taylor
An undated handout photo made available by the BBC showing the Eleven Doctors, from left, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt
Family
BBC’s ‘Doctor Who’ celebrated 50 years with special episode
This year, fan favorite “Doctor Who” turns 50 — and fans had a whole lot to celebrate with a special live broadcast featuring multiple doctors over the weekend.
By Amanda Taylor
Asa Butterfield and Harrison Ford star in "Ender's Game."
Family
‘Catching Fire’ gives teens a hero; reflects trying times
“Catching Fire” explores the world from the eyes of a girl coming of age in a time of turmoil, and reluctantly becoming the face of the revolution that changes everything. Real-world teens and adults alike identify with the Girl on Fire.
By Amanda Taylor
An online petition asks that the government and internet service providers work together to filter out online pornography by default. It is gaining momentum on the petition site on WhiteHouse.gov.
U.S. & World
Petition asks government and Internet service companies to filter pornography by default
An online petition asks that the government and internet service providers work together to filter out online pornography by default. It is gaining momentum on the petition site on WhiteHouse.gov.
By Amanda Taylor
Last year, a nonprofit organization rallied 341,375 people to write a novel in the month of November.
Media & Books
Nonprofit inspires hundreds of thousands to try writing the Great American Novel
National Novel Writing Month challenges creativity, drive and ability to follow-through for thousands of participants each year. How three novelists are using the giant web of support that communal novel-writing provides.
By Amanda Taylor
British artist David Trumble recognizes there are good and bad role models in fiction. So he sat down and started thinking about real-life female examples in history. Combined with the traditional style of Disney princesses, he illustrated courageous wome
Family
Female icons get the princess treatment
Feminist leaders from history were re-imagined by artist David Trumble as traditional Disney princesses, sparkles and all.
By Amanda Taylor
This film image released by Universal Pictures shows Chris Hemsworth, left, and Kristen Stewart in a scene from \"Snow White and the Huntsman\".
Media & Books
Film ratings prove to be a bad filter, critics say
New research shows that PG-13 movies have more questionable content than R-rated ones.
By Amanda Taylor
Janice Kennedy hugs Secret Santa after getting a $100 dollar bill from the wealthy philanthropist from Kansas City, Mo. while looking for clothes at the Salvation Army store in the boro of Staten Island, New York, N.Y., Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012. Secret San
U.S. & World
Reddit hopes to break worldwide Secret Santa record
Reddit is hosting its annual Secret Santa. This year, it hopes to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest gift exchange ever.
By Amanda Taylor
This comic book image released by Marvel Comics shows character Kamala Khan , second left, with her family Aamir, father Yusuf, mother Disha and friend Bruno, from the "Ms. Marvel" issue. The new monthly Ms. Marvel is debuting as part of the Company"™s po
U.S. & World
Marvel introduces female Muslim superhero
The comic book world is slowly moving toward female main characters, unveiling a new Ms. Marvel in the form of a teenage girl from Jersey.
By Amanda Taylor
Asa Butterfield stars in "Ender's Game."
Family
‘Ender’s Game’ reels in curious audiences
In the wake of the box office success of “Ender’s Game,” critics and media writers have weighed the impact and importance of the story of a young boy who leads an army to victory amid personal turmoil.
By Amanda Taylor
Jon Hamm as Don Draper in "Mad Men."
Family
What happens when the bad guys are the good guys?
Recent television shows, movies and plays have explored the backstories of beloved villains, while TV continues to celebrate the anti-hero. What are the consequences of our culture embracing these characters, and what do they reflect about our culture?
By Amanda Taylor
Miley Cyrus and her sister Brandi Cyrus attend the MTV Video Music Awards on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Media & Books
Industry torn over sexualization of young women
Music veterans have weighed in on their young counterparts’ tendency to take off their clothes, actresses are sharing their opinions about the sexualization of their profession, and the entire industry is debating the merits of shock value.
By Amanda Taylor
Fast food restaurants market differently to children than they do to adults, targeting the experience rather than the food. But obesity is directly tied to fast food marketing.
Family
Fast food marketing targets children
Fast food restaurants market differently to children than they do to adults, targeting the experience rather than the food. But obesity is directly tied to fast food marketing.
By Amanda Taylor
Women are more likely than men to use social media, and they're learning how to use it as a tool to promote civic-mindedness, problem solve and enrich their relationships.
Media & Books
Women outrank men in social media savvy and connectedness
Women are more likely than men to use social media, and they’re learning how to use it as a tool to promote civic-mindedness, problem solve and enrich their relationships.
By Amanda Taylor
Former Captain of the container ship Maersk Alabama, Richard Phillips, left speaks during a news conference in Norfolk, Va., Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009.
Media & Books
Some saying real Captain Phillips was not like character portrayed in new film
Some are saying the title character in the film “Captain Phillips” is an inaccurate portrayal of a man and series of traumatic events for the crew of the Maersk Alabama.
By Amanda Taylor
Legendary director Alfred Hitchcock's work is characterized by more subtle scares.
Media & Books
The evolution of horror movies: Why less is still more
How horror movies reflect our society, the things we are afraid of and the things we accept as entertainment.
By Amanda Taylor
M305 Writer/Director Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars with Tony Danza in Relativity Media's "Don Jon". 2013 Relativity Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Family
Popular movies explore sex addiction
With so many people suffering from pornography addiction, Hollywood has decided to dip a toe into the subject. The result is sometimes positive, sometimes negative portrayals of sex and pornography addiction.
By Amanda Taylor
The characters of C.S. Lewis' timeless fantasy come to life once again in this new installment of "The Chronicles of Narnia," starring, left to right: Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Ben Barnes, Anna Popplewell and Skandar Keynes.
Media & Books
New Narnia movie in the works: ‘The Silver Chair’ coming to the big screen
C.S. Lewis’ fourth novel is being adapted as the next installment of the Chronicles of Narnia films, based on his beloved children’s books.
By Amanda Taylor
Best-selling author Neil Gaiman in his writing gazebo at his home in western Wisconsin.
Family
Neil Gaiman tells why our society needs fiction and imagination to thrive
Author Neil Gaiman shares his views on the importance of fiction and imagination to encourage progressive, intelligent societies.
By Amanda Taylor
U.S. film Director Darren Aronofsky takes questions during a conference at the International Film Festival in Guanajuato, Mexico, Saturday, July 27, 2013. Aronofsky is the director of a new film about the biblical story of Noah and the ark.
Faith
Re-telling of Noah facing challenges in trying to please religious audiences
Big-budget version of the traditional Bible story is in trouble with test audiences, will have to go through rewrites and changes that director Darren Aranofsky is not happy about making.
By Amanda Taylor
Utah
Former child filmmakers turn journey into documentary
Three kids who set out to film a shot-for-shot adaptation of “Indiana Jones: The Raiders of the Lost Ark” will turn their story into a feature film, and create a documentary about their experience.
By Amanda Taylor
Beyond bipolar, characters on "Community" and "The Big Bang Theory" are undiagnosed, but frequently said to have forms of advanced autism.
Media & Books
TV shows explore mental illness in their characters
TV shows these days are rife with characters suffering from mental illness. The illnesses are portrayed in a variety of ways, with a variety of results.
By Amanda Taylor
A new study found that faith in the scientific process could lead to better decisions about helping one's fellow man.
Faith
Science linked to morality
Science-minded thinking could lead to decision-making on a moral high ground.
By Amanda Taylor
This image released by AMC shows Bryan Cranston as Walter White, left, and Aaron Paul as Jesse Pinkman in a scene from the season 5 premiere of "Breaking Bad."
U.S. & World
The era of the anti-hero
Today’s entertainment centers around complex baddies who have the best intentions.
By Amanda Taylor
Characters from Sesame Street Live appear on the street by Madison Square Garden to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the live touring stage shows based on the PBS television series in New York, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010.
U.S. & World
‘Sesame Street’ teaches kids to use patience, respect
“Sesame Street” has expanded its curriculum to include more than the basics. Incorporating behavioral lessons through the experiences of its muppets, the show hopes to teach toddlers how to delay instant gratification in favor of calculated thought.
By Amanda Taylor
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