pop culture

Modern popular culture topics in the Journal workplace sphere, such as corporate history, workplace advice, healthy office habits, and more.

Prom Night
Prom season is in full swing, and high school seniors everywhere are making that transition out of school and into the real world. Dresses are being chosen, tuxedos are getting rented, and limousines are getting reserved. Parties are being discussed and dates are being secured. The energy of enthusiasm and excitement is in the air, and it has awoken distant memories of my own prom night, which was now nearly 20 years ago.
By Amanda Spradlin4 years ago in Journal
Should We Be Worried About Elon Musk's Interest In Twitter?
The world’s richest man has recently become the major shareholder of Twitter. When the news first went public, Twitter’s stock jumped up 30%.
By Gal Mux4 years ago in Journal
The Longest Night (A Titanic Story)
Rowing as fast as they could away from the sinking ship, Lily noted how the Titanic resembled a whale sticking out of the ocean. Only a few days ago it was the ship of dreams. Wrapping her cold body in the fur jacket her fiance had given her, Lily studied all the passengers in her lifeboat.
By Marielle Sabbag4 years ago in Journal
"To Kill a Mockingbird" Still Has Teeth
I imagine even an Oscar and Emmy winning screenwriter and playwright like Aaron Sorkin must have had some doubts about taking on what is arguably the most beloved American novel of all time (not to mention a beloved film as well), To Kill a Mockingbird, and adapting it for the stage.
By Kevin Scott Hall4 years ago in Journal
Silk Sonic Opens the Grammys
If we hadn’t learned already, we’re learning very quickly that Hollywood (whether it be the movie industry or the music industry) can’t be counted on to hold anyone to any standards whatsoever.
By Kevin Scott Hall4 years ago in Journal
Scenius: why creatives are stronger together
The myth of the solitary creative For most of human existence, we needed a tribe to survive. If you were cast out, it meant almost certain death. Which is why we still feel an almost primal sense of panic and unease, if we feel disliked or left out.
By Sheryl Garratt4 years ago in Journal
A Sad State of Affairs: The Downfall of Wattpad
How Deleting the Community Forums Killed Wattpad's Engagement Most of my formative years as a young writer were spent on Wattpad. It was the first place I'd ever seen where I could publish a story- a book- for free. I was elated, I'd been writing since I was seven, and now I had a way to share my stories with the world, to get feedback, and help myself grow.
By QuirkyMin4 years ago in Journal
Do I even want to write another book?
Three months ago, I penned a post entitled "the one where I get off the internet and start writing fiction again." When I published that post, my day job was in a pretty demanding state and I realized I would only have time for one creative hobby - I decided that hobby was writing my Utopian novel.
By Elle Griffin4 years ago in Journal
The ‘Pandemic Brain’ is real, can we ever recover from it?. Top Story - February 2022.
The big and abrupt change in lifestyle when the pandemic began, matched with isolation and the uncertainty on when it will end, exposed people to small but constant doses of stress that messed with parts of the brain that control executive functions, learning, and memory, explained neuroscientist Tina Franklin in an interview with The Atlantic.
By Emapta4 years ago in Journal
Epic Youth
It was 2020. My cousin Jeff was being prepped for a hip replacement in the middle of a lockdown. We were both 40, trying to pinpoint when he could have injured his now dead hip bone. In doing so, we recalled many a night, but one in particular that stands out to both of us.
By J. Ellen4 years ago in Journal
A Cineaste's Resolution
I don’t deserve my eyes. It’s a thought that zigzags across the multi-colored void of my eyelids after any self-induced migraine, while I use the bedsheets to seal off incoming noise and oxygen. Sometimes I think staring up at the general direction of the pain will make it subside, and sometimes it works. I don’t know the science behind this, but like many unknowns, it probably chalks up to placebo. Ignorance as aid. That pill didn’t make the pain disappear, we did, in believing pills are magic. I’m gonna give my children a mint whenever they complain of headache. The attention is what counts, like a mother’s kiss on their baby’s split finger.
By Michael Acciarino4 years ago in Journal
Why I Will Not Be Accepting Pledges on Vocal
Hello, world of Vocal. I hope you’re all well and are keeping safe during these weird times. I just wanted to touch base and write a little post about Vocal’s new feature: Pledges. And why I will not be partaking in it, or ever accepting pledges from the people who read my work.
By Rebecca Smith4 years ago in Journal