How Hollywood Sells Us War – Second Thought

Ever notice how just about every single depiction of the US military on film and TV is positive? There’s a reason for that. Come learn about just how long the military has been “adjusting” Hollywood scripts, and what that means for us as a society.

Richard Slotkin on Guns and Violence – Moyers & Company

Ahead of the one year anniversary of the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut, in which Adam Lanza took the lives of 20 school children and six educators, Bill speaks with cultural historian and scholar Richard Slotkin about the role of guns in America’s national psyche. Slotkin has spent his life studying and

A third of students think Holocaust exaggerated or fabricated: study

Nearly a third of North American students think the Holocaust was exaggerated or fabricated, according to a new study, which also found that 40 per cent of students reported learning about the Holocaust through social media. “They’re getting information from who knows where and it’s resulting in… (them thinking), did this event in history happen?” the

The Cold War: Crash Course US History #37

In which John Green teaches you about the Cold War, the decades long conflict between the USA and the USSR. The Cold War was called cold because of the lack of actual fighting, but this is inaccurate. There was plenty of fighting, from Korea to Viet Nam to Afghanistan, but we’ll get into that stuff

Is The US Becoming A Dystopia? – Second Thought

We all love a good dystopian movie, but at what point do we have to start considering real life dystopian? In this episode, we’re taking a look at some troubling trends in the US, and by extension the rest of the world.

Language, Voice, and Holden Caulfield – The Catcher in the Rye Part 1: CC English Literature #6

In which John Green examines JD Salinger’s novel The Catcher in the Rye. John pulls out the old school literary criticism by examining the text itself rather than paying attention to the biographical or historical context of the novel (that’s for next week). Listen, words matter. The Catcher in the Rye has managed to endure

Hungary proposes banning the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality to children

Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party has proposed banning the “promotion” of sexuality of young people under a new law. The bill would also outlaw promoting sex change among minors, including in schools, films or books. The legal amendments were proposed by the conservative party of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán on Thursday, according to the parliament’s website.

Hollywood actor Seagal joins pro-Kremlin party, proposes tougher laws

Hollywood actor Steven Seagal, a long-time admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has joined a pro-Kremlin party, the the party said on Sunday. Seagal received a party membership card of an alliance named Just Russia – Patriots – For Truth on Saturday, a video relased by the party showed. It was formed earlier this year,

Revisiting One of the Greatest Protests in Oscars History

The Oscars are typically a night filled with glitz and glamour, but sometimes a star will use their time in the spotlight to make impactful political statements. On the main stage, Leonardo DiCaprio has addressed climate change, Patricia Arquette the ongoing issue of equal pay, and Spike Lee the importance of voting, among other moments. And with millions tuning in to