Wednesday, November 29, 2023 | 
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Chandra Johnson

High school teachers, Ronell Whitaker, left, and Eric Kallenborn, right, who started the Comic Education Outreach program that is partnered with Pop Culture Classroom, pose for a portrait at Alan B. Shepard High School in Palos Heights, Illinois, on Tuesd
InDepth
How English students are discovering classics through comics
Over the past decade or so, comic books have once again become a huge part of American pop culture. Now, they’re coming into classrooms and therapists’ offices.
By Chandra Johnson
Given one mom's recent experience, parents may need to be watchful of content that, at first glance, they might think is safe: fake, inappropriate knockoffs of popular cartoon characters.
Media & Books
Parents beware: These fake YouTube cartoons may scare your kids
Given one mom’s recent experience, parents may need to be watchful of content that, at first glance, they might think is safe: fake, inappropriate knockoffs of popular cartoon characters.
By Chandra Johnson
Chances are you've heard of algorithms over the years, but experts say everyone needs to become aware of what they are — and how they stand to change life on earth in the future.
InDepth
How algorithms affect our way of life
Chances are you’ve heard of algorithms over the years, but experts say everyone needs to become aware of what they are —and how they stand to change life on earth in the future.
By Chandra Johnson
The DeGarmo family — John and Kelly, Brailey, Brody, Gracie, Jace, Kolby and Cassie, are pictured Feb. 28.
InDepth
How TV reveals today’s challenges and realities of open adoption
Advocates and experts are dealing with the complications that arise between doing what’s right for adopted children with navigating the complexities of keeping biological parents in the picture.
By Chandra Johnson
Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and David Gyasi star in "Interstellar." Since its founding in 2008, the Science and Entertainment Exchange, an organized network of scientists, has consulted on about 1,800 films to make the science depicted more credibl
InDepth
Scientists aren’t evil in movies anymore make sci-fi more believable
Two breakthrough films nominated for Oscars this year — “Arrival” and “Hidden Figures” — address a lesser-known representation issue dogging Hollywood: The stereotypes of scientists in film.
By Chandra Johnson
Depending on whom you ask, Trump’s proposed budget cuts could spell a slow-motion disaster for the arts or it could, as one Washington Post commentator put it, “make art great again.”
InDepth
Would cutting federal arts funding hurt American culture — or make it even stronger?
Depending on whom you ask, Trump’s proposed budget cuts could spell a slow-motion disaster for the arts or it could, as one Washington Post commentator put it, “make art great again.”
By Chandra Johnson
Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., holds an installment of his award-winning graphic novel "March" on Jan. 15, 2015. The New York Times recently announced a move to eliminate its Graphic Bestseller list, a decision vexing many authors like Lewis who believe in the i
Family
Why graphic novels may be the future for growth in book sales
If Americans really are looking to find their bearings in America’s new reality through fiction, graphic novels are one of the richest veins to mine — both artistically and financially.
By Chandra Johnson
Jonathan Krone of Dallas and Charles Fowler of Salt Lake City play virtual reality games at VR Junkies at the Valley Fair Mall in West Valley on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017.
InDepth
What parents need to know about virtual reality
For parents looking to catch up on what VR is and what it may mean for their families, the Deseret News spoke to experts to answer some questions surrounding this developing technology that is impressing those who try it.
By Chandra Johnson
Adam Driver, left, plays Father Garupe and Andrew Garfield plays Father Rodrigues in the film "Silence" by Paramount Pictures, SharpSword Films and AI Films.
InDepth
Advocates hope ‘Silence’ will raise awareness of religious persecution
It’s at times difficult to watch director Martin Scorsese’s “Silence,” yet activists about religious persecution hope Americans will watch — and realize that millions of Christians and religious minorities are still oppressed globally today.
By Chandra Johnson
Netflix headquarters in Los Gatos, Calif. Social media is often blamed for insulating society into idea "echo chambers." But there"™s an elephant in the echo chamber: Netflix.
InDepth
Our favorite Netflix shows might be isolating us
Social media is often blamed for insulating society into idea “echo chambers.” But there’s an elephant in the echo chamber: Netflix.
By Chandra Johnson
The 16th-century Gotha panel altar piece was on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It features some of Luther's own handwritten notes for his translation of the Bible. Some 160 panels functioned as an illustrated Bible for both the literate scho
InDepth
5 things I learned at the ‘Martin Luther: Art and the Reformation’ exhibit
The Minneapolis Institute of Art was host to a large exhibit of Reformation-era art this past winter, celebrating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s “Ninety-Five Theses.”
By Chandra Johnson
The Comet Ping Pong pizza joint in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2016, which was the scene of a recent controversy over the disturbing trend of fake news and online conspiracies.
InDepth
Why people believe fake news, explained
Why do so many Americans have trouble telling truth from fiction online? As humans, we’re wired to believe the worst.
By Chandra Johnson
For humans, gift-giving is a deeply personal, psychological experience in which people try to find the exact right object to communicate the exact right feeling.
InDepth
2 experts explain how to give better gifts this holiday season
For humans, gift-giving is a deeply personal, psychological experience where people try to find the exact object to communicate the exact right feeling. To get it wrong or to have a gift rejected is understandably hurtful.
By Chandra Johnson
Director Gareth Edward and actors Felicity Jones and Diego Luna with fans at the Fan Event Q&A in Mexico City on Nov. 22, 2016.
Family
Is ‘Star Wars’ still safe family viewing?
Amid critical warnings that the latest Star Wars installment, “Rogue One,” is not for kids, some parents are rethinking age guidelines for introducing their children to a galaxy far, far away.
By Chandra Johnson
Utah residents participate in the Immigration Community Dialogue event in Salt Lake City in February 2016.
InDepth
How social media stands to heal political divides — if only we’d let it
America is divided in the wake of the election, but experts have tips for how to reach across the aisle to better understand each other.
By Chandra Johnson
The headquarters for National Public Radio (NPR) in Washington, D.C. To some, a nonprofit business model for news outlets is a hopeful answer for an industry that's been largely upended by the internet.
InDepth
What is nonprofit journalism, and is it the answer to media’s woes?
To some, a nonprofit business model for news outlets is a hopeful answer for an industry that’s been largely upended by the internet. But it’s a much more complicated solution than they may know.
By Chandra Johnson
Divided Americans need to burst the “filter bubble” — that is, the personalization of search results and media that can result in internet users having their worldview reinforced rather than challenged.
InDepth
4 ways to burst the ‘filter bubble’ isolating you from different viewpoints
Divided Americans need to burst the “filter bubble” — that is, the personalization of search results and media that can result in internet users having their worldview reinforced rather than challenged.
By Chandra Johnson
Already one of the largest information hubs in the world — an estimated 44 percent of Americans get their news on the site — Facebook now stands to become the most influential. If only so much of its information wasn't fake.
InDepth
Did Facebook and the crisis in journalism influence the election?
Already one of the largest information hubs in the world — an estimated 44 percent of Americans get their news on the site — Facebook now stands to become the most influential. If only so much of its information wasn’t fake.
By Chandra Johnson
Corrina Harrington, 3, of Eau Claire, Wis., plays with air blowers in the Forces at Play exhibit at the Minnesota Children's Museum in St. Paul, Minn., on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016.
InDepth
How digital media has changed creativity
Research shows creativity may be declining in American children, partially because they spend more time in front of screens. But experts say if used correctly, digital media can help kids develop their creativity.
By Chandra Johnson
Reporters speak on-camera as they wait for supporters to arrive at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's election night rally on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York.
InDepth
How the news media could regain the public’s trust
After a historically contentious campaign that left it reeling, how can the news media stay relevant to the political process and win back public trust?
By Chandra Johnson
The American Academy of Pediatrics released its updated recommendations on how much screen time children should get, while cautioning continued risks.
InDepth
How young is too young for screen time?
The American Academy of Pediatrics released its updated recommendations on how much screen time children should get, while cautioning continued risks.
By Chandra Johnson
At a time when social media is often defined by negativity, trolling and bullying that can end in tragedy, more people are taking it upon themselves to foster compassion and positivity online.
InDepth
Meet the people trying to make the internet a more positive place, one comment at a time
At a time when social media is often defined by negativity, trolling and bullying that can end in tragedy, more people are taking it upon themselves to foster compassion and positivity online.
By Chandra Johnson
Angela Whited, events manager and storyteller, reads and entertains during story time at Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minn., on Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016. The bookstore hosts story time twice a week.
InDepth
Storytime’s hidden power: How reading transforms more than language skills
Science tells us that reading to children from birth gives them the building blocks for healthy brain development and language skills, but the hidden power of storytime is what it can do to strengthen family relationships.
By Chandra Johnson
Political candidates touting media bias in a struggling campaign is nothing new. But Trump’s refrain of media “rigging” the election has taken on new menace and a growing number of Americans believe it.
InDepth
Is Trump’s conspiracy narrative on the media dangerous?
Political candidates touting media bias in a struggling campaign is nothing new. But Trump’s refrain of media “rigging” the election has taken on new menace and a growing number of Americans believe it.
By Chandra Johnson
For both parents and teachers trying to lift the dismal U.S. literacy rates, the “new literacy” is a delicate problem, requiring parents and schools to strike a balance between time spent on a screen and time spent with printed materials.
InDepth
How the digital age changes literacy education
For both parents and teachers trying to lift the U.S.’s dismal literacy rates, the “new literacy” is a delicate problem, requiring parents and schools to strike a perfect balance between time spent on a screen and time spent with printed
By Chandra Johnson
With sexual assault accusations against Donald Trump filling the news, parents might find themselves having conversations about assault sooner than they anticipated.
InDepth
Explaining sexual assault to your kids
With sexual assault accusations against Donald Trump filling the news, parents might find themselves having conversations about assault sooner than they anticipated.
By Chandra Johnson
A growing number of young people, especially men, are becoming more invested in recreational pursuits to “escape” their traditional social behaviors, like being fathers or career-driven providers.
InDepth
Why some men are opting out of life and escaping into digital media
A growing number of young people, especially men, are becoming more invested in recreational pursuits to “escape” their traditional social behaviors, like being fathers or career-driven providers. Why?
By Chandra Johnson
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures as he arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Ocala, Fla., on Oct. 12, 2016.
InDepth
Will the lewd language of the election change the media’s attitude on profanity?
Amid revelations of GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump’s course language in a 2005 audio clip, many news outlets published the lewd content uncensored. Was that necessary?
By Chandra Johnson
Book shoppers browse at Kramerbooks & Afterwords Cafe, a bookstore and eatery in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington. D.C, on Feb. 20, 2016.
InDepth
What do Americans lose if bookstores disappear? More than you think
In an age when any title can be downloaded in seconds, defining why bookstores and books still matter is difficult, but experts say that if bookstores became less common, so would ready access to a direct, palpable connection to human history.
By Chandra Johnson
A Los Angeles police officer wears a body camera during a demonstration on Jan. 15, 2014.
InDepth
Do police body cameras matter?
Police body cameras were supposed to lead to transparency and accountability amid a spate of shooting deaths by police officers. Getting the cameras to be effective has been another matter.
By Chandra Johnson
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