pop culture

Pop culture has a place in the classroom; popular trends like hip hop help to foster interest and ignite conversations in education.

How Designers Engineer Luck Into Video Games
On Sept. 16, 2007, a Japanese YouTuber who goes by the handle “Computing Aesthetic” uploaded a forty-eight-second-long video with the deafening title, “ULTRA MEGA SUPER LUCKY SHOT.” The video shows a high-scoring shot in Peggle, a vastly popular video game, loosely based on Japanese pachinko machines, in which a ball bearing clatters down the screen, accruing points as it bounces through a crowd of candy-colored pegs, which disappear shortly after being touched; more bounces, more points. Although Peggle involves some skill—before firing the ball, the player must carefully aim the launcher that dangles at the top of the screen—you are principally at the mercy of the luck of the bounce. In Computing Aesthetic’s footage, the points pile up as the ball bounces fortuitously between pegs. To underscore the seemingly miraculous shot, Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” blares euphorically until, in the video’s final moments, the ball bearing sinks into the bucket at the base of the screen and the words “FEVER SCORE” flash onscreen. The description on the video, which has been watched nearly a quarter of a million times, reads, “I couldn’t balieve this when it happened!!!!!!!!!”
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
Chess: How to Spot a Potential Cheat
A few years ago, the chess website Chess.com temporarily banned US grandmaster Hans Niemann for playing chess moves online that the site suspected had been suggested to him by a computer program. It had reportedly previously banned his mentor Maxim Dlugy.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
The Pitfalls of the Pursuit of Happiness
In many cultures around the world, happiness is generally considered to be a positive emotion. But is the pursuit of happiness and “feeling happy” a good thing? Clinical psychologist June Gruber, social psychologist Iris B. Mauss, and researcher Maya Tamir looked into answering a related question: might happiness be dysfunctional at times? The short answer is: it depends.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
How Mughal badshahs and begums became a source of inspiration for 19th-century French playing cards
Someone suggests a game of cards or – if you move in astrologically-inclined circles – offers to read fortunes. The host produces a deck.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
Why the future of restaurants runs through the grocery store
It’s Friday night and, judging from the dejected slump of a quartet of would-be diners outside of the legendary Una Pizza Napoletana on the Lower East Side, there are no tables to be had. Around the corner, a similar scene plays out at Nom Wah, the century-old dim sum restaurant on the bend of a crooked street in Chinatown. A few blocks north, at the Momofuku Noodle Bar, the hungry gaze at the eating through a plate glass window. Everything everywhere is booked all at once.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
Best 30 Cars to buy under $10k dollars
There are many great cars available for under $10,000, depending on your preferences and needs. Here are 30 options, in no particular order:
By Car Community3 years ago in Education
The Fight is the Reward
It was my senior year and I was pitching against the #3 team in the country, the College of Wooster. The first batter of the game was making my life difficult. He fouled off a pitch. Then another. And another. I threw a ball outside, hoping he would bite on it.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
How to Optimize Your Daily Decisions
ou might assume that humans buy products because of what they are, but the truth is that we often buy things because of where they are. For example, items on store shelves that are at eye level tend to be purchased more than items on less visible shelves.
By BURN BRIGHT3 years ago in Education
Late Nights vs Early Mornings: Which is Better for Your Health?
Introduction Staying up late at night may seem like a fun and harmless habit, but recent research has shown that it may be affecting your health. A study conducted in the United States found that night owls, people who prefer to stay up late and are mentally or physically active at night, may be more likely to develop heart disease and diabetes. In this article, we will delve into the health risks of being a night owl, the reasons behind it, and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
By me3 years ago in Education
From Idea to Publication: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Quality Content
Introduction: In today's digital world, creating quality content has become an essential part of any successful online presence. However, for many aspiring writers, the process of turning an idea into a well-crafted piece of content can be overwhelming. That's why in this article, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide to creating quality content, from the initial idea to its publication.
By Kasturi Chatterjee3 years ago in Education
Creativity Is a Process, Not an Event
In 1666, one of the most influential scientists in history was strolling through a garden when he was struck with a flash of creative brilliance that would change the world.
By Imeth Githsara3 years ago in Education
How to Start a YouTube Channel
Starting a YouTube channel can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Whether you're interested in creating content around your hobbies, sharing your knowledge and expertise, or building a community around a particular niche, YouTube provides a platform to reach a global audience. However, starting a successful YouTube channel takes time, effort, and planning. In this article, we'll explore the steps you can take to start your own YouTube channel.
By Mandy Allen3 years ago in Education