Walt Hickey, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of "You Are What You Watch," delves into how our media consumption profoundly impacts our physical and mental states. He shares fascinating insights, such as horror films triggering physiological responses and how a classic movie like 101 Dalmatians can boost pet adoptions. Hickey emphasizes the value of reflective media consumption, the portrayal of women in popular culture, and the societal role of storytelling in helping us process fears and anxieties.
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insights INSIGHT
Not a Warning, an Observation
"You are what you watch" is usually a warning, but Walt Hickey views it as an observation.
Pop culture affects us, and we should examine those effects instead of just what we consume.
insights INSIGHT
Experiencing Media
Media consumption is an experience, not just passive viewing, affecting our bodies and minds.
Physiological responses to movies, like blood coagulation during horror films, demonstrate this.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Rise of Blockbusters
The blockbuster era wasn't solely started by Jaws' success.
Tax law changes eliminated smaller film financing, leaving only big-budget studio films.
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The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
You Are What You Watch
Walt Hickey
Guest host Alissa Wilkinson speaks with Walt Hickey about his new book, You Are What You Watch: How Movies and TV Affect Everything. They discuss how entertainment affects the physical and mental states of viewers — from blood coagulation during horror movie screenings to an increase in Dalmatian adoptions after 101 Dalmatians was released in theaters — and why our responses to what we watch are worth celebrating.
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