Westworld & the Bicameral Mind: How the Theory Comes to Life

The Westworld logo illustrates Westworld and the bicameral mind

What if human consciousness wasn’t always part of our mental makeup? How did ancient humans experience their minds before developing self-awareness as we know it today? In HBO’s Westworld, the bicameral mind theory comes to life. This concept, laid out in Julian Jaynes’s book The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind, suggests that consciousness evolved from an earlier mental state. Keep reading to learn how Westworld illustrates Jaynes’s revolutionary ideas about consciousness.

What Is Culture Club? Recollections From Boy George’s Memoir

Culture Club performing at Marcus Center in Milwaukee on 7-23-2016 illustrates the question, "What is Culture Club?"

What is Culture Club? What happened behind the scenes during its rise to fame? How did the complex relationship between Boy George and Jon Moss shape the band’s destiny? In his book Karma, Boy George reveals the fascinating journey of Culture Club, from its unlikely formation to international stardom. He shares intimate details about the band’s creative process, personal conflicts, and the challenges of maintaining relationships under the spotlight of fame. Keep reading to discover the untold story of one of the most influential bands of the 1980s, told through the candid perspective of its iconic frontman.

Tax Write-Off Movies Are Becoming a Problem in Hollywood

A roll of movie film in a trash can to signify that it was used as a tax write off in Hollywood

How are movies being used as tax write-offs in Hollywood? What financial engineering practices are studios using? What are their potential impacts on the entertainment industry? Hollywood studios are increasingly prioritizing financial maneuvering over artistic content creation and distribution. These tactics, including shelving films to claim tax losses and manipulating profit-sharing agreements, are reducing the diversity of content. Here’s a deeper look into Hollywood’s tax write-off movies and what it might mean for the future of cinema.

Is Cable TV Dying or Will It Continue to Stick Around?

An older man watching the news on his tv, signifying that cable tv is dying

With the rise of streaming services, is cable TV dying? How is the shift to streaming affecting consumers? Cable TV subscriptions are declining rapidly as viewers shift to streaming, but streaming services’ inability to turn a profit is prolonging cable’s life. The transition from cable to streaming threatens the future of news coverage, particularly local news, as streaming services aren’t required to maintain news operations. Keep reading as we examine experts’ views on this situation.

The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Book Overview (Steve Blank)

A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing glasses and a business suit, reading a book

What makes some startups succeed while others fail in today’s competitive market? How can entrepreneurs validate their business ideas before investing significant time and resources? The Four Steps to the Epiphany, a book by Steve Blank, presents a systematic approach to building successful startups through customer development. It helps entrepreneurs understand their market, validate their ideas, and achieve growth by focusing on customer needs before product development. Keep reading for an overview of this book that could transform your entrepreneurial vision into a thriving business.

Will TikTok Be Banned in the US? A Full Breakdown

The TikTok app on a phone, which could be banned in the US soon.

Will TikTok be banned in the US? Why does the House want a TikTok ban? What challenges do potential buyers of the app face? The US House of Representatives recently voted to ban TikTok unless its parent company, Chinese-owned ByteDance, sells its stake in the app. The House cited concerns about China’s access to Americans’ data and its potential to use the app to spread misinformation. A forced sale of TikTok, while plausible, appears unlikely. Continue reading to learn why the House wants to ban TikTok, what TikTok’s options are, and the outlook for the future of the app.

Will and Grace Behind the Scenes (Just Jack & Will)

Cartoon television, symbol of television shows like Will and Grace behind the scenes

What was Will and Grace like behind the scenes? What do the stars of the show think about their experiences? Will and Grace behind the scenes was characterized by humor, with cast members doing things like inserting inside jokes and personal references into the script. Stars Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack recently spoke about their experiences on their podcast Just Jack & Will. Keep reading for an inside look at their experiences from this episode.

An Interview With Bobby Moynihan: SNL and Beyond

Bobby Moynihan and Horatio Sanz smiling for a photo with upside down glasses on

What is the backstory of Bobby Moynihan, SNL actor? How did he get to be on Saturday Night Live (SNL), and what’s he known for? For Bobby Moynihan, SNL was a key part of career development and becoming famous for comedy. In an episode of the podcast Fly on the Wall, he spoke in depth about this journey. Here’s what we know about Bobby Moynihan from his podcast interview with Dana Carvey and David Spade.

Michael Stipe’s Art Beyond Music: Sculpture & Photography

Michael stipe on stage looking to the left thoughtfully

When was it that for Michael Stipe, art became a focus? How did he grow into visual arts with a start in music? For Michael Stipe, arts like photography and sculpture have played important roles in his career post-R.E.M. Stipe even has plans to exhibit his art at a gallery in Milan, Italy. Read more about Stipe’s transition into other forms of art with these insights from the podcast Smartless.

Saturday Night Live Behind the Scenes: Lots of Hard Work

Microphone on a stage under lights

What do we know about Saturday Night Live behind the scenes? What is it like to perform on SNL? Saturday Night Live involves hard work, creativity, and complex dynamics between recurring stars and guest performers. A recent episode of the podcast Fly on the Wall offers a glimpse into this world. Consider these insights from a Fly on the Wall interview between Dana Carvey, David Spade, and Bobby Moynihan.