Picture of Emanuel Hughes

Emanuel Hughes

Bio: Emanuel Hughes is a recent graduate of the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design, having transferred from The Art Institute of Houston to earn his bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design. His passion for literature and creative writing was sparked by his love for video games, movies, and a wide range of books and magazines. Throughout high school and college, writing became a central focus in his life. Emanuel aims to further develop his creative writing skills and gain valuable experience through his internship at NYC Tastemakers, with the ultimate goal of applying his talents in a professional role at a major magazine publishing company or news media outlet.
Politics

The Information War: How Disinformation Fuels Global Instability

In an increasingly interconnected world, the battle for hearts and minds has moved beyond traditional battlefields into the digital realm. Misinformation, propaganda and state-sponsored disinformation campaigns are not merely nuisances; they are potent weapons that fan the flames of international conflict and make rational discourse a near impossibility. Misinformation, often ...

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Video Games

Gaming as Therapy: How Digital Worlds Can Aid Mental Well-being

Video games often bear the brunt of criticism, frequently dismissed as time-wasting distractions or worse, catalysts for isolation. Yet, this narrow perspective overlooks a growing body of evidence highlighting their positive psychological benefits, from offering vital stress relief to fostering deep social connections. It is time to re-evaluate how we ...

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Movies

The Invisible Labor Behind Your Favorite Show

Hollywood’s spotlight often shines brightest on its stars and directors but behind every captivating film lies the indispensable work of hundreds, if not thousands, of dedicated professionals. From the foundational brilliance of writers to the meticulous artistry of visual effects crews and the tireless efforts of production teams, these individuals ...

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TV

The Enduring Appeal of Classic Television

Have you ever noticed how even with tons of new shows popping up, we still can’t get enough of those “retro” TV shows? Think “The Office,” “Seinfeld,” or even “The Twilight Zone.” It’s astounding how these older series keep attracting the established fanbase as well as new fans! It’s not ...

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Politics

The State of Political Polarization

Boy, doesn’t it ever feel like our country’s really being pulled apart? What used to be just healthy disagreements has turned into a huge mess, stopping us from getting anything done and just making it harder to even talk to each other. We really need to figure out why this ...

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Video Games

When Anti-Establishment Tropes In Games Become Corporate Strategy

In today’s gaming landscape, anti-establishment narratives are no longer just an edgy storytelling device — they’re a marketing strategy. From punk-fueled dystopias to glitch-ridden corporate hellscapes, game studios are cashing in on rebellion. But the irony is hard to ignore: how can multi-billion-dollar companies sell dissent while controlling the very ...

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Food

Celebrating Global Taste Vs. Local Gatekeeping

In a city where tacos are topped with kimchi and ramen comes spiked with truffle oil, the American palate revels in global mashups. International flavors are everywhere — from upscale food halls to fast-casual chains. But as culinary borders blur so do the lines between celebration and appropriation.  What’s being ...

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Science and Technology

The Deconstruction of Smartphones As A Status Symbol

Every Spring and Fall season, like clockwork, phone manufacturers roll out the newest model. People race to buy it, even if their current phone still works fine. It’s not always about better features — it’s often about feeling like you fit in. Having the newest phone tells the world you’ve ...

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Sports

How Dribbling Became Art, Protest, and Persona 

In today’s era of hypervisibility and cultural expression, the act of dribbling — once a technical necessity — has evolved into something far richer: art, protest and persona. It is no longer just a means to advance the ball. It’s a form of personal choreography, a message and for some, ...

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Health and WellnessMusic

School Breakfast Programs: Nourishment or Surveillance?

In classrooms across America, lunchtime trays reflect more than dietary guidelines — they reflect institutional power. Public health initiatives in schools, framed as educational interventions, often serve as tools for surveillance and behavior conditioning under the guise of wellness. Federal policies like the “Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act” position nutrition as ...

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Movies

The Infantilization of Male Emotion in Blockbusters

Within this era of billion-dollar franchises and tentpole storytelling, the modern blockbuster has cultivated a perplexing trend: the infantilization of male emotion. From Marvel’s quip-happy heroes to the angst-ridden boys of “Fast & Furious”, male protagonists have increasingly leaned on emotionally regressive tropes — often stuck in cycles of arrested ...

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TV

Apocalypse Fatigue: Why TV Romanticizes The End Of The World

Post-apocalyptic television isn’t just surviving — it’s thriving. From HBO (Home Box Office) Max’s “The Last of Us” as well as its fellow contemporary “Station Eleven”, today’s small-screen storytelling isn’t merely documenting societal breakdown; it’s romanticizing it. But beneath the thrilling spectacle of ruin lies a deeper cultural fixation: collapse ...

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