Selects: Special Effects: A Short History

If you’ve ever pushed a “pull” door or accidentally flipped the wrong light switch, you’ve experienced the impact of bad design. You may have blamed these mistakes on yourself, but in reality, the way we interact with the physical world is often driven by design. From smartphones to stovetops, faucets to fighter jets: Every object we encounter on a daily basis is designed. Good design streamlines our lives and makes everyday tasks easier. Bad design, on the other hand, causes frustration, errors, and even dangerous accidents.

In order to tell the difference, we need to understand how we perceive the objects all around us, and how our brains make sense of that information. Combining the principles of cognitive psychology and engineering makes all of us smarter consumers and helps designers create products that work with users, rather than against them.

When Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, started his career, he had one goal: Create films using computer-generated animation. Despite a multitude of challenges, Catmull worked tirelessly to advance the technology of computer animation and, eventually, co-founded Pixar to marry his love of animation with his expertise in computer technology.

Through the journey of Pixar’s creation, Catmull developed leadership strategies that fostered creativity in the workplace while ensuring that the company remained profitable and successful. In Creativity, Inc., Catmull breaks down the most important factors in building and sustaining a creative culture. From removing fear from failure and protecting new ideas, Catmull explains the ways Pixar’s creative culture allowed it to grow into the animation behemoth it is today.

How does the way you see something affect what you see? Does the public really need museums and art critics to explain an artwork’s meaning to them? In Ways of Seeing, published in 1972, critic John Berger argues that throughout history, the way we see art has been manipulated by a privileged minority to preserve their social and economic dominance. The book challenges the idea that to understand and appreciate works of art, we need experts to “translate” them for us. Rather, Berger urges us to pull back the curtain and look at the images before us with our own eyes.

In this guide, we explore Berger’s premise that, throughout history, the dominant class has used art and art criticism to “mystify” the working class. Additionally, we add historical background on both the artwork Berger analyzes and the landscape in which Berger is writing, and compare Berger’s ideas to those of contemporary art and culture.

When Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, started his career, he had one goal: Create films using computer-generated animation. Despite a multitude of challenges, Catmull worked tirelessly to advance the technology of computer animation and, eventually, co-founded Pixar to marry his love of animation with his expertise in computer technology.

Through the journey of Pixar’s creation, Catmull developed leadership strategies that fostered creativity in the workplace while ensuring that the company remained profitable and successful. In Creativity, Inc., Catmull breaks down the most important factors in building and sustaining a creative culture. From removing fear from failure and protecting new ideas, Catmull explains the ways Pixar’s creative culture allowed it to grow into the animation behemoth it is today.

Dive into the curious world of bygone beliefs with Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant on the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, as they unravel the wisdom and whimsy of ancient scientific theories. From the four humors that once sketched out human health to celestial spheres that carried the heavens, this episode elegantly stitches together a tapestry of ideas that paved the way for modern science. The hosts thoughtfully explore medical misconceptions, stellar hypotheses held before Copernicus and Kepler realigned our cosmic perspective, and the elemental theories that attempted to explain the universe’s fundamental building blocks.

Alongside the philosophical musings of history's great thinkers, discover how the seeds of truth found in Democritus's ancient atoms blossomed into the atomic theory that underpins today's physics. Josh and Chuck also dissect myths like spontaneous generation and celebrate the milestones of scientific discovery that corrected these misunderstandings. With their characteristic blend of respect and humor, they examine the intricate interplay between science and society, past and present, inviting listeners to not only learn but participate in the ongoing dialogue at the heart of "Stuff You Should Know."

One of the most influential conspiracy theory books ever written, Behold a Pale Horse lays out the roots and methods of a secret movement to topple the American government and establish a global totalitarian order. Milton William Cooper argues that UFO sightings, the Illuminati, the Kennedy assassination, and various American think tanks are all interconnected in this effort to undermine the Constitution and ultimately enslave the human race. The only way to prevent their takeover is through popular armed resistance by American patriots.

In this guide, we’ll unpack the origins of Cooper’s theories about globalization, public health, gun rights, and the trustworthiness of traditional news sources. We’ll also consider the impact Cooper’s 1991 book had on groups as disparate as the patriot militia movement, right-wing talk radio, hip-hop artists, and modern conspiracy groups like QAnon.

When Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, started his career, he had one goal: Create films using computer-generated animation. Despite a multitude of challenges, Catmull worked tirelessly to advance the technology of computer animation and, eventually, co-founded Pixar to marry his love of animation with his expertise in computer technology.

Through the journey of Pixar’s creation, Catmull developed leadership strategies that fostered creativity in the workplace while ensuring that the company remained profitable and successful. In Creativity, Inc., Catmull breaks down the most important factors in building and sustaining a creative culture. From removing fear from failure and protecting new ideas, Catmull explains the ways Pixar’s creative culture allowed it to grow into the animation behemoth it is today.

As Halloween approaches, horror movies are everywhere. But how did scary movies become a mainstay at movie theaters and streaming services? And what does our obsession with frightening stories say about us?

On this episode of "Fly on the Wall," hosts Dana Carvey and David Spade welcome legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short for an insightful, witty, and humor-filled conversation. They explore their celebrated entertainment careers, delve into their individual comedic styles, and open up about their personal growth in the ever-changing landscape of comedy. The intimate trip down memory lane takes the listeners through recollections of their collaborations, notably on the film "The Three Amigos," to their friendly banter that showcases the depth, sincerity and humor inherent in their enduring relationship.

In the second half, insightful explorations of self-scrutiny and artistic growth paint a fascinating picture of the inner workings of these comedic heavyweights. The chats about current projects and future endeavors highlight their adaptability and resilience in an evolving industry. The lively back-and-forth exchanges between the hosts and guests combined with a candid look into their shared history with SNL creator Lorne Michaels, make this episode an absolute must for any fan of comedy. Their stories leave listeners with a deeper appreciation for the hard work and creative genius behind the humor we've enjoyed for decades.

When Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, started his career, he had one goal: Create films using computer-generated animation. Despite a multitude of challenges, Catmull worked tirelessly to advance the technology of computer animation and, eventually, co-founded Pixar to marry his love of animation with his expertise in computer technology.

Through the journey of Pixar’s creation, Catmull developed leadership strategies that fostered creativity in the workplace while ensuring that the company remained profitable and successful. In Creativity, Inc., Catmull breaks down the most important factors in building and sustaining a creative culture. From removing fear from failure and protecting new ideas, Catmull explains the ways Pixar’s creative culture allowed it to grow into the animation behemoth it is today.

When Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, started his career, he had one goal: Create films using computer-generated animation. Despite a multitude of challenges, Catmull worked tirelessly to advance the technology of computer animation and, eventually, co-founded Pixar to marry his love of animation with his expertise in computer technology.

Through the journey of Pixar’s creation, Catmull developed leadership strategies that fostered creativity in the workplace while ensuring that the company remained profitable and successful. In Creativity, Inc., Catmull breaks down the most important factors in building and sustaining a creative culture. From removing fear from failure and protecting new ideas, Catmull explains the ways Pixar’s creative culture allowed it to grow into the animation behemoth it is today.

Join David Spade, Dana Carvey, and special guest Fred Wolf on "Fly on the Wall" as they engage in a riveting discourse on the dynamic tides of comedy. From the transmutation of laughs from the stage to the screen to the exploration of fame's peculiarity in the digital age, this episode provides an inside look at the comic evolution of our times. The trio delves into the changing processes of performance and how technology has shaped not only their styles but also the connectivity with their audience, revealing the challenges and humorous circumstances that come with adapting to new mediums such as Zoom.

Moreover, these comedic veterans unfold their personal journeys through the entertainment industry, sharing pivotal experiences that have marked their careers. From Spade's early forays into stand-up comedy to Fred Wolf's acclaimed contributions to "Saturday Night Live," the episode is rich with stories of dedication and creative triumph. As they reminisce about the comedic legends they've worked alongside, including the inimitable Chris Farley, listeners will find themselves transported behind the scenes, gaining candid insights into the relentless work that goes into a moment of laughter and the influential relationships that foster comic greatness.