Outrage pulls us in. Each scandal or absurd headline sparks a quick dopamine rush. It’s much like a gambler “loss chasing,” finding an excuse to keep playing, hoping to break even. But here’s the twist: while these spikes feel powerful, purposeful action—like voting, volunteering, or learning about the issues—feeds the brain in ways that truly … Read More
Social Media
Music: getting started in 2024
A barista at the local cafe today asked me what a young musician can do to build more momentum with their target audiences, and how to make music that’s close to them while also appealing to what’s trendy in the mass market at that time. Admittedly, the latter question made me sad. 😂 Artists should … Read More
Disappointing affirmations
Disappointing Affirmations is a popular instagram handle that pairs the comedy of sarcastic affirmations, a parody of the current trend in wellness content, against the beauty of nature and landscape photos. There is an overwhelming amount of wellness content out there. Assuredly, people are becoming fatigued by it. The verdict is out on whether practicing … Read More
Research: Taking Back Control: An Unconventional Approach to Information Disorder
Introduction In this paper, I provide a brief overview of media literacy programs that have been proposed or trialed thus far, whether through public education or in a experimental lab setting, examining the pros, cons, and barriers to implementation. I examine media literacy against the full taxonomy of mis/disinformation solutions, and propose strategies derived from … Read More