Published inThe Startup·PinnedMember-onlyThe Social Dilemma: Documentary or Psychological Manipulation?Watching Netflix’s The Social Dilemma was interesting and disturbing. It was interesting to see how it was constructed but disturbing to see that many of the psychological techniques the documentary vilified were used by the producers to tell their own story. As a persuasive piece of media, it is very…The Social Dilemma7 min readThe Social Dilemma7 min read
Sep 16#GirlMath: How Social Media Trends Perpetuate StereotypesKey Points GirlMath is a popular TikTok trend, rationalizing spending purchases with irresponsible logic Mental accounting provides the theoretical logic for the human tendency to subjective value money #GirlMath glorifies irresponsible spending behaviors Even in jokes, labeling women as “girls” can undermine self-esteem & perpetuate stereotypes These memes can be greater conversation…Girlmath7 min readGirlmath7 min read
Sep 13Why Don’t We Demand Digital Literacy to Protect Our Kids?Digital literacy builds protective internal strengths no matter what technology kids use We worry about the impact of media on kids’ mental health. Why are we so fast to regulate and so slow to demand the one protective factor that might help? Whether it’s AI, social media, or video games…4 min read4 min read
Aug 8Why Did Influencer Kai Cenat’s Live NYC Meetup Turn Ugly?Takeaways: Young Influencers don’t have any relevant experience understanding influence or managing fame Gen Z and Millennials relate more to Influencers than to traditional celebrities Parasocial attachment increases an Influencer’s persuasiveness because they feel like a friend This is not about parenting, it’s about digital literacy so kids are less…Influencer Marketing7 min readInfluencer Marketing7 min read
Jun 30Member-onlyHow Social Media Turned the Titan Tragedy into EntertainmentWhere’s the empathy? Totally missing. It couldn’t compete with the entertainment value of the Titanic, a lost sub, and wealthy explorers. It made too good a story for social media to resist. KEY POINTS Disasters capture attention but stories keep us coming back. The Titan incident had all the elements of a…Titan6 min readTitan6 min read
Jun 30Member-onlyWhat Drives the Success of Live-Streamed Trading Card Box Breaks?Chance, community, and nostalgia make box breaks a Vegas-style hobbyist’s dream. But is it gambling? KEY POINTS Practical and psychological factors make live-streamed box breaks compelling. Nostalgia and community amplify the meaning assigned to sharing trading cards. Live streaming and the chance of getting a valuable card to increase the urgency and…Live Stream6 min readLive Stream6 min read
May 5Member-onlyWhy Social Media Bans & Restrictions Won’t Keep Your Child SafeLaws to regulate social media use by kids are popping up everywhere. Unlikely to achieve their stated goals, they may even cause harm by leaving our kids less prepared for their digital world. …Media Literacy6 min readMedia Literacy6 min read
Mar 7Member-onlyWhy We Obsessed Over the Murdaugh MurdersWealth, murder, and abuse of privilege, the Murdaugh Murders had it all-a sensational true crime story with a moral that reeled us in. The Murdaugh case had the appeal of true crime amplified by wealth and privilege True crime can increase perceptions of efficacy by providing strategies for protection and…True Crime4 min readTrue Crime4 min read
Published inThe Startup·Mar 1Member-onlyWhy Does ChatGPT Make People So Nervous?ChatGPT has people in a panic, from plagiarism in schools to the general demise of human intelligence. It’s not as smart as you think. KEY POINTS ChatGPT gained 57 million users in the first month and now has well over 100 million users globally. Potential positives of ChatGPT use include…ChatGPT7 min readChatGPT7 min read
Dec 4, 2022Member-onlyIt's Not Too Late to Boost Your Mood with a Holiday MovieThe holidays are the time of year to enjoy the mental health benefits of nostalgia, romance, family, snowflakes, and miracles. Even though the New Year is upon us, holiday movies are still streaming and it's never too late to feel good. Holiday movies’ familiar tropes and predictable, non-stressful stories deliver…6 min read6 min read
