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7 classic horror tropes — and why they still work
October is a spooky month: Jack-o-'lanterns appear on front door steps, people roam the streets in masks and capes, and horror movies get taken out of storage. While the idea of voluntarily being scared silly for a few hours may sound unappealing to many people, horror movies possess an essential place in the American imagination. Vox points out that they can reflect our cultural fears, and psychologically speaking, there is a link between jump scares and our dopamine levels — yes, horror movies can make some of our brains happy. According to The Evening Standard, many of the best horror flicks are formulaic, offering up the perfect mathematical combination of suspense, violence and gore. And within that formula, most horror movies use the same handful of tropes — recurring themes that build up suspense. We got curious: If these tropes are so common, why do we continue to be fascinated by them? We zoomed in on seven major horror tropes to figure out why, even after a century, they continue to resonate with audiences.
20 of the most notorious product fails
It’s a given that if you’re going to make it big in business, you’re going to have to take some risks. More often than not, this means accepting the fact that some of your grand ideas will fail. But if you look back through the archives of the biggest product failures in recent memory, you have to wonder: What were these companies thinking? We trolled through the deepest and darkest corners of the internet to bring you some of the biggest American business failures. Here are 20 of our favorites.
The rise of true crime podcasts
From overseas gossip about Jack the Ripper in the 1880s to the O.J. Simpson trial in 1995, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Americans have been fascinated by true crime for well over a century. True crime podcasts are the latest in a long line of served-up spooky narratives. Although “audio blogs” have been around since the 1980s, they only picked up speed when the first podcast, The Daily Source Code, was launched in 2003. The first true crime podcast is considered by many to be True Crime with Burl Barer, which debuted in 2008. While true crime podcasts have come a long way since then, some would argue they’ve made things worse — for both real criminal investigators and for society in general. Not only have these podcasts convinced scores of amateur sleuths that they could also solve crimes (which can complicate legitimate investigations), but many believe they’ve helped to desensitize people to violence as well. Let’s dig into where true crime podcasts came from, why certain people are fascinated by them, how they make their money, and what may be coming next.
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The financial side of food delivery apps
In our current Age of Convenience, food delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash have transformed the way we satisfy our hunger. From late-night sushi to gourmet brunch, these platforms promise to bring it all to your doorstep. But have you ever wondered exactly how these companies make their money? Let’s take a road trip to explore the history, profits, driver earnings, and fees of Uber Eats and DoorDash.
In our current Age of Convenience, food delivery apps like Uber Eats and DoorDash have transformed the way we satisfy our hunger. From late-night sushi to gourmet brunch, these platforms promise to bring it all to your doorstep. But have you ever wondered exactly how these companies make their money? Let’s take a road trip to explore the history, profits, driver earnings, and fees of Uber Eats and DoorDash.
How to switch careers in later life
Maybe you're at a crossroads in your career, and you're not sure if it's time for a change or if you should keep plugging away. Maybe you’re fighting off thoughts about a new job because you are only a few years away from that brass ring of retirement. Or maybe you’re worried about what a move will do to your pension, your 401K, or your Social Security benefits. It might feel silly to consider switching things up when you’ve already put years — or decades — into your current profession, but trust us, it’s not. So far in 2023, 96% of Americans have considered switching careers, mainly because of the rising cost of living, but also because they felt like they’d hit the metaphorical glass ceiling. No matter what your reason for wanting to ditch your cubicle, we’re here to tell you: It's never too late. Here’s a look at the logistics of switching careers later in life, plus some tips on how to make the transition go smoothly.
Maybe you're at a crossroads in your career, and you're not sure if it's time for a change or if you should keep plugging away. Maybe you’re fighting off thoughts about a new job because you are only a few years away from that brass ring of retirement. Or maybe you’re worried about what a move will do to your pension, your 401K, or your Social Security benefits. It might feel silly to consider switching things up when you’ve already put years — or decades — into your current profession, but trust us, it’s not. So far in 2023, 96% of Americans have considered switching careers, mainly because of the rising cost of living, but also because they felt like they’d hit the metaphorical glass ceiling. No matter what your reason for wanting to ditch your cubicle, we’re here to tell you: It's never too late. Here’s a look at the logistics of switching careers later in life, plus some tips on how to make the transition go smoothly.
The history of American libraries
Libraries are more than just storehouses full of books; they are vibrant hubs of knowledge, community and culture. And while your local branch might give off distinct ‘70s vibes, at a national level, libraries have a history dating back to colonial times. Since so many people are headed back to institutions of learning this month, we thought we’d explore the origin of libraries in the U.S., and take a look at how they’ve adapted to keep up to modern society.
Libraries are more than just storehouses full of books; they are vibrant hubs of knowledge, community and culture. And while your local branch might give off distinct ‘70s vibes, at a national level, libraries have a history dating back to colonial times. Since so many people are headed back to institutions of learning this month, we thought we’d explore the origin of libraries in the U.S., and take a look at how they’ve adapted to keep up to modern society.
Is a gym membership really worth it?
Ah, the gym — the smell of sweat-soaked rubber mats, the sound of treadmills whirring, and the constant fear that someone is going to tap you on the shoulder and tell you you’re using the free weights wrong. The gym can either be a fitness sanctuary or a torture chamber, depending on your attitude. And with September in full swing, you may be tempted to get ahead of the new year’s resolution curve by joining a gym. But, before you lunge into a pricey membership, let's jog through some points that could save you both calories and cash.
Ah, the gym — the smell of sweat-soaked rubber mats, the sound of treadmills whirring, and the constant fear that someone is going to tap you on the shoulder and tell you you’re using the free weights wrong. The gym can either be a fitness sanctuary or a torture chamber, depending on your attitude. And with September in full swing, you may be tempted to get ahead of the new year’s resolution curve by joining a gym. But, before you lunge into a pricey membership, let's jog through some points that could save you both calories and cash.
The history of tabloid newspapers
These days, tabloid headlines are splashy, sketchy and scandalous — geared to get you to pick up a copy as you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. Which you might, as long as nobody catches you. But whether you read them openly or not, tabloids are a supermarket mainstay. Considering they typically cost less than a newspaper, you may be surprised at how much money the tabloid industry has made over the past few centuries. So what, exactly, is in the tabloids' “secret sauce''? Since their peak, how much money have tabloids made and lost, and is another reinvention in the cards for them?
These days, tabloid headlines are splashy, sketchy and scandalous — geared to get you to pick up a copy as you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. Which you might, as long as nobody catches you. But whether you read them openly or not, tabloids are a supermarket mainstay. Considering they typically cost less than a newspaper, you may be surprised at how much money the tabloid industry has made over the past few centuries. So what, exactly, is in the tabloids' “secret sauce''? Since their peak, how much money have tabloids made and lost, and is another reinvention in the cards for them?
The business side of bootleg concert merch
If you've ever gone to a stadium concert, during your trek from the parking lot to the front doors you probably noticed people posted up outside the venue selling unofficial merchandise. Think: T-shirts with, shall we say, “interesting” design choices. Although they are far from perfect, you can’t deny there’s something charming about them. But why do people spend the time and effort to make these bootleg items? Is it actually a profitable side-hustle? We dove into the mysterious mosh pit of bootleg merch to find the answer.
If you've ever gone to a stadium concert, during your trek from the parking lot to the front doors you probably noticed people posted up outside the venue selling unofficial merchandise. Think: T-shirts with, shall we say, “interesting” design choices. Although they are far from perfect, you can’t deny there’s something charming about them. But why do people spend the time and effort to make these bootleg items? Is it actually a profitable side-hustle? We dove into the mysterious mosh pit of bootleg merch to find the answer.
The fascinating world of auctioneers
“One dollar bid, now two, now two, will you give me two? I got two dollars, now three, now three, will you give me three?” Auctioneer’s chants can sound like gibberish to an outsider, but they serve a strategic purpose in auctions — which have more significance to the economy than you might think. According to a report published by the Federal Trade Commission, auctions play an essential part in a number of different industries. And the auctioneer is the person whose enthusiasm can make or break the event. We wanted to pull back the curtain on the fascinating world of auctioneers; to learn about the role they play in the American economy... and how they’re able to talk that fast. Here’s what we found out.
“One dollar bid, now two, now two, will you give me two? I got two dollars, now three, now three, will you give me three?” Auctioneer’s chants can sound like gibberish to an outsider, but they serve a strategic purpose in auctions — which have more significance to the economy than you might think. According to a report published by the Federal Trade Commission, auctions play an essential part in a number of different industries. And the auctioneer is the person whose enthusiasm can make or break the event. We wanted to pull back the curtain on the fascinating world of auctioneers; to learn about the role they play in the American economy... and how they’re able to talk that fast. Here’s what we found out.
The origins of the slang terms we use for money
In a world where “bacon” is more than just a breakfast meat, and “Benjamin” isn't just a founding father but a pal you carry in your pocket, have you ever wondered exactly how our slang terms for money came to be? Well we certainly have, so we took a deep dive into the origins of some of the weirdest monikers for money. Hold onto your wallet, because you’re in for a strange, often food-themed, ride.
In a world where “bacon” is more than just a breakfast meat, and “Benjamin” isn't just a founding father but a pal you carry in your pocket, have you ever wondered exactly how our slang terms for money came to be? Well we certainly have, so we took a deep dive into the origins of some of the weirdest monikers for money. Hold onto your wallet, because you’re in for a strange, often food-themed, ride.
Moneywise Digest