The World's Best Book Summaries
What was Britney Spears’s childhood like? How did Spears become a child star? Spears was born on December 12, 1981, to parents whose marriage was already rough due to her father’s drinking. Spears writes that ever since she can remember, music was an escape from her problems at home, and singing was the only way she could safely express herself. Keep reading to learn more about Spears’s childhood and her rise to stardom.
Why is sexism in the entertainment industry such a problem? Are there double standards for men that women wouldn’t be able to get away with? In The Woman in Me, musician Britney Spears uses her own narrative to point out the favoritism toward men in the entertainment industry. The differing treatments between men and women stand out when it comes to their dating lives, mental health issues, and physical appearances. Learn what else Spears discovered about the mistreatment of women in an industry where men aren’t held to such high standards.
How did scary movies become a mainstay at movie theaters and streaming services? Why do people like horror movies so much? Horror movies are more popular than ever. Part of this fad is thanks to streaming services making them because they’re safe and cheap. However, our fascination for horror goes much deeper. For many, horror is a way to indulge in primal instincts and embrace morbid curiosity. We’ll explore why scary movies are popular among studios and audiences alike and examine what makes them so profitable to produce and so enjoyable to watch.
What is the Unity controversy? Why are developers so upset over its recent announcement? Unity Technologies, the maker of popular game development tools, announced a new fee for installing games made using its software. Unity faced immediate and widespread backlash from game developers and gamers alike, both for the fee and for changing subscription terms on short notice. Despite later backpedaling on some of the changes later, the damage to Unity may be irreparable.
What is Peak TV? Why are some people saying it’s dead? What does the future hold for viewers whose days of choosing from an overwhelming abundance of programming are allegedly over? Peak TV is dead—and the days of Americans being able to choose from the greatest-ever number of original scripted shows is over, according to some. With rising production costs, lagging streaming adoption rates, and strikes, some argue that programming will decline, while others say it’s simply a new era. Keep reading to find out whether Peak TV is really dead or not.
Do you dread canceling subscriptions because the process can be so convoluted? Did you know companies do this on purpose? The global subscription services market is expected to double in size by 2026. Much of its success comes from making it difficult for people to cancel their subscriptions. The US Federal Trade Commission has proposed a “Click to Cancel” rule that would crack down on deceptive company practices. We’ll take a look at the Click to Cancel rule below.
Why are some wary of the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard deal? What does it mean for the future of Activision? Microsoft can proceed with a $69 billion deal to purchase video game publisher Activision Blizzard—the largest such deal in gaming history. Some members of the gaming community share the FTC’s concerns, while those in favor of the merger say this is an opportunity for Microsoft to improve Activision. Below we’ll take a look at the ruling and what it means for the future.
Is game development hard to work in? What are the unique challenges of being a video game developer? Video games have evolved tremendously throughout the years, and it’s all thanks to the hard work of everyone on development teams. It’s not an easy job making video games, and Jason Schreier’s book Blood, Sweat, and Pixels explains why. Here are the complications developers often come across when working on the interactivity of games.
Why is beta testing video games important? How could better beta testing have helped Diablo 3? Beta testing is when individuals are hired to play video games before they’re released. This is a crucial aspect of the game development process because the players may find bugs and glitches that developers missed. Continue reading to learn more about why beta testing is essential for a good game.
What is Blood, Sweat, and Pixels about? Why is making a video game so hard? Blood, Sweat, and Pixels describes the many challenges video game developers face in the industry. A couple of these includes constantly evolving technology and adhering to a schedule during development. Read below for a brief overview of Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier.