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Whatever happened to net neutrality?

by Joe Bursley About one year ago on April 23, 2018, the Federal Communication Commission made some drastic changes to net neutrality. This came after the FCC voted to repeal the Obama administration’s internet guidelines in December of 2017. There was much focus on how this repeal would affect the average person’s ability to access the internet freely and openly. Chances are, if you are reading this article right now, your internet access hasn’t changed much. So what exactly was the big fight over net neutrality, what does the repeal actually affect, and what is going to happen next? The future of our internet may (or may not) depend on these answers. What was net neutrality? Before we can answer why net neutrality was repealed, it is important to know why and how it was implemented. On principle, net neutrality advocates claim that they support ISPs treating all internet content fairly and evenly regardless of the type of content. In 2015, the Obama FCC led by then-chairman Tom Wheeler implemented new guidelines and regulations in the hopes of achieving this supposedly equitable internet. They did this by voting to classify internet broadband as a public utility under the 1934 Communications Act. In doing so, this granted the U.S. government priority and authority in regulating how mass communication channels, such as radio and TV antenna broadcast airwaves, are used by both public citizens and private companies. Critics of net neutrality argued that having government regulation in something as free and open as the internet was going to stifle innovation and investment in stronger broadband connections to rural communities. They also argued that allowing companies that use more broadband, such as video streaming sites like YouTube and Netflix, would be more appropriate than charging all sites the same amount regardless of data size. Unsurprisingly, such a hot-button political issue quickly fell along partisan lines, with most Democrats supporting the Obama admin’s policies and many Republicans in opposition. Fast forward an election cycle and the new FCC chairman, Ajit Pai, appointed by President Trump, issued a proposal to effectively repeal the net neutrality guidelines and declassify ISPs as utility companies. This proposal was passed in December 2017, with a majority of the net neutrality reversal taking place in April 2018. How did the internet react? As it tends to do, internet culture soon went into a frenzy over the repeal of net neutrality, spreading both facts and fiction in their predictions of a Web-pocalypse. Many alarmist articles were written spelling out a doomsday scenario where the internet would be segmented and priced in packages, similar to a cable subscription, where bundles of similar sites would be charged an extra fee depending on how a user wanted to access the internet. A popular image circulated about MEO, a wireless carrier in Portugal that offers a baseline fee for internet service and then charges extra for certain bundles such as “Social,” “Video,” “Messaging,” and “Music.” Proponents of net neutrality argued that the U.S. faced a similar future without net neutrality if the FCC repeal took effect. There are two issues with this particular claim: first, as a member of the European Union, Portugal has net neutrality regulations already in place, with the MEO plan being an optional data plan for cellular data; second, the repeal of net neutrality would send U.S. internet policy back to 2015 standards, which did not have widespread web-packaging plans like the ones implied by the MEO plan. Even more outlandish theories proposed paying $1.99 per Google search and $9.99 per Netflix movie, a price hike that Netflix itself likely wouldn’t even be comfortable with. The official account for Senate Democrats tweeted out support for net neutrality, bizarrely arguing that users would receive the internet one word at a time without the regulations in place. Claims like these led to many being dismissive of the true effects of a net neutrality repeal. If we don't save net neutrality, you'll get the internet one word at a time.#savethenet #savetheinternet #netneutrality #onemorevote — Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) February 27, 2018 However, it would theoretically be possible for a MEO-type plan to occur without net neutrality, though it would likely be wildly unpopular and not last very long. What would be more likely would be ISPs charging high-bandwidth sites like Netflix, YouTube, and Facebook different rates for either technological or promotional reasons, which could in effect be potentially picked up by consumers through advertising and subscription price increases. Is the fight over? Because net neutrality was and continues to be a fiery topic that can stir activist reactions, the issue has not died yet. Thirty-four states and the District of Columbia have attempted to introduce legislation to enact statewide net neutrality in some form. States like California have passed statutes similar to the Obama-era regulations, but had come into conflict with the Department of Justice, which argued that the federal government had authority to control interstate commercial avenues like internet business. Recently, House Democrats in Congress passed a short bill, the Save the Internet Act, which would undo the FCC repeal and enact the Obama-era regulations into a law. This would prevent the executive branch, like President Trump or his FCC, from interfering with a legislative act. However, President Trump stated he would veto such a bill, and the Republican-controlled Senate refused to hold a vote on the bill. With such a polarizing and divisive issue on the table, it seems unlikely that any more changes will occur unless the Democratic Party can win back control of the Senate and/or White House. Net neutrality will therefore likely be a campaign issue for the upcoming 2020 presidential election. And, at least for the time being, we can all thankfully watch the conflict unfold uninterrupted through our free and open internet. Sources: The Verge, ABC, Daily Wire, CNN, Snopes, NPR, Twitter Images: Business Insider Featured Image: Alexander Smith

5 leprechaun movies to watch this St. Patrick’s Day

The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.

5 leprechaun movies to watch this St. Patrick’s Day

by Joe Bursley The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte's editorial board. St. Patrick’s Day is a holy feast celebration dedicated to the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick, who is known for eradicating snakes from Ireland and explaining the Christian holy trinity using a three-leaf clover. However, like any good religious celebration, St. Patrick’s Day has been cheapened and warped by consumerism and secular culture, leading to a holiday mostly known for drinking alcohol, wearing green, eating beef and cabbage, and buying Shamrock Shakes. The most peculiar and prominent imagery from St. Patrick’s Day happens to be the leprechaun, a fantastical Irish fairy dressed in green and concerned about gold and luck. There have been many iterations of the lucky little Irishman in popular culture, ranging all the way from the iconic to the indistinct. Lubdan the Leprechaun ("Leprechaun" film series) An 8-film comedy/horror saga that follows an evil leprechaun who tortures people who take and spend his gold. This leprechaun has hunted his treasure from Ireland to North Dakota to Las Vegas to an alien spaceship to the hood twice. Personally, if I were that dedicated to my personal gold, I would keep it in a Swiss safety deposit box The O’Reilly Family ("Luck of the Irish," 2001) A privileged white male who has found general success in school, sports, and life is finally brought back down to size when he loses his family’s lucky medallion. And by brought down to size, I mean he starts shrinking and turning into a leprechaun, red hair and pointy ears and all. We never get to see his transformation complete, as the entire special effects budget was used to make his mom look six inches tall. In order to win his family’s luck back, he must defeat another evil leprechaun in basketball for the magical medallion. Yeah, this was a classic Disney Channel Original Movie from my childhood, but it certainly was no High School Musical. The Leprechaun ("Red Clover," 2012) Hollywood must be afraid of leprechauns because there is yet another horror film centered around the mythical creatures, though one that does not have 7 others in its franchise. The made-for-TV movie follows a woman in a sleepy town who unwittingly releases a murderous leprechaun from an interdimensional prison. The leprechaun resumes his murder spree, and it is up to the woman and her father, the town’s sheriff, to end the creature’s rampage. Seamus, Mary, and Mickey Muldoon ("The Magical Legend of Leprechauns," 2000) Break out the tissues and chocolates, because Hallmark has made a cheesy movie about leprechauns, involving clichéd tropes such as love at first sight, underdogs fighting corporatism, and…interspecies magical warfare? Seamus is a leprechaun who befriends a human, Jack, for saving his life, revealing the magical world of Irish mythical creatures. His son Mickey falls in love with a fairy-princess named Jessica, who are able to end the blood feud between their kind by a suicide pact a la Romeo and Juliet. Alas, even the most original Hallmark movie will fall to repeated tropes. Lepkey the Leprechaun ("Getting Lucky," 1990) A teenage dork sets out to score a date with his cheerleader crush using three wishes from a drunk leprechaun he found in a beer bottle. No, I’m not kidding, that is the synopsis. Cheesy acting and a corny premise are succulent toppings to this indie sex comedy, which is anything but safe for work. But hey, having sex and getting drunk are practically staples of the modern St. Patrick’s Day holiday so I guess it fits. Surprisingly there aren’t that many iconic leprechauns portrayed in films, despite the iconic imagery and thematic imagery that enable movies about Santa Claus or Halloween monsters come out almost once a year. Perhaps it’s because St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have the cultural impact that Christmas or Halloween do. Maybe it’s because having a character whose base trait is being lucky makes for a pretty uninteresting conflict and story. Or maybe it’s just because the effects and mythology details needed to make a decent leprechaun movie outweigh the desire from audiences to watch one on the big screen. So, if you’re like me and looking for a leprechaun movie to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in lieu of bar hopping…it looks like it’s pretty slim pickings. Sources: Encyclopedia Britannica, IMDb Images: IMDb Featured Image: Tt Shinkan

Toon-ing In: What’s coming for animation in 2019

2018 was certainly a notable year for me and other fans of the animation industry. Amazing films such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Isle of Dogs, and Incredibles 2 premiered and got nominated for some prestigious awards. Shows such as Craig of the Creek, Disenchantment, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power all made their debut, and longer-standing shows such as Adventure Time, Big Hero 6: The Series, Ducktales, Star vs. The Forces of Evil, and Steven Universe all saw major developments in terms of story, many of which ended in explosive season and/or series finales. The Earth has rotated around the sun once more, and a new year brings us new content in the world of Western animation. Here are some of the most anticipated or intriguing movies and shows confirmed or expected to arrive in 2019.

Toon-ing In: What’s coming for animation in 2019

by Joe Bursley 2018 was certainly a notable year for me and other fans of the animation industry. Amazing films such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Isle of Dogs, and Incredibles 2 premiered and got nominated for some prestigious awards. Shows such as Craig of the Creek, Disenchantment, and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power all made their debut, and longer-standing shows such as Adventure Time, Big Hero 6: The Series, Ducktales, Star vs. The Forces of Evil, and Steven Universe all saw major developments in terms of story, many of which ended in explosive season and/or series finales. The Earth has rotated around the sun once more, and a new year brings us new content in the world of Western animation. Here are some of the most anticipated or intriguing movies and shows confirmed or expected to arrive in 2019. Movies The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part (Feb. 8) The LEGO Movie, the surprising 2014 hit about the world of building blocks come to life, surprised audiences with an emotional story, likable characters, and a powerful reveal that the world of LEGO people was being controlled by humans. This sequel follows the familiar characters Emmet, Lucy, Batman, and others as they travel to the Systar System after the appearance of a challenging new foe. The first movie was so well received that many believe it was snubbed from the Oscars. This weekend’s box office premiere will determine if the sequel will stand as tall as the hype has set for it or ultimately fall to pieces. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (Feb. 22) The third and final installment to Dreamwork’s successful Dragons franchise follows an adult Hiccup and his best friend Toothless, who discovers a female Light Fury companion for the Night Fury, Toothless. He must also battle a new foe that poses a direct threat to all dragons and the island of Berk itself. This series has had two incredible films and multiple series that follow Hiccup and his friends as they journey through adolescence into young adulthood, and as the trilogy ends, be prepared for a very mature and grown-up ending. The Secret Life of Pets 2 (June 7) [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Image from GeekTyrant[/caption] From Illumination Studios, the minds behind The Lorax, Despicable Me, Minions, and The Grinch, this furry sequel to the Toy Story copycat follows more pets in their secret lives. Despite the numerous character trailers that have been released, there is very little to speak of in terms of the story. However, the now controversial Louis C.K. has been kicked off the sequel following his #MeToo scandal, being replaced by Patton Oswalt. Toy Story 4 (June 21) Speaking of Toy Story, Pixar is releasing the fourth film in their star franchise this summer. After the emotional conclusion of the toys’ time with Andy in the third film, this sequel follows Woody, Buzz, and the gang as Bonnie’s toys now, while they search for Woody’s long-lost love interest Bo Peep. The film will also likely explore many other aspects of the toy world, such as the creation of impromptu toys like the new character Forky from the teaser trailer. Pixar has had mixed results with many of their sequels, so we’ll have to see if this fourth film goes “to infinity and beyond.” Spies in Disguise (Sept. 13) One of the few non-sequel movie concepts making its debut this year, Spies in Disguise stars Will Smith as a super spy-turned-pigeon by a quirky young inventor, voiced by Tom Holland. Produced by Blue Sky Studios, known for fun flicks such as the Ice Age series, Robots, and Epic, this feature film is based off of a 2009 short film by Lucas Martell titled Pigeon: Impossible, but is one of the few animated movies that is not already tied to an existing franchise (not yet, at least). The Addams Family (Oct. 18) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="797"] Image from Super Bro Movies[/caption] Based off of the iconic gothic family that went from New Yorker cartoon to TV series to '90s film series, this CGI reboot follows Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, and the rest of their creepy and kooky family on new dark and grim adventures. This film is produced by Canadian studio Cinesite Animation, which was previously responsible for the insatiable R-rated comedy Sausage Party, but their concept of The Addams Family will likely be a family flick more suitable for a wider audience. Frozen 2 (Nov. 22) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="2000"] Image from People[/caption] Consider 2019 the year of sequels because a majority of the movies coming out are already part of an existing franchise. Frozen 2, the long-anticipated sequel to Disney’s smash box office hit, is no different. The hype of Frozen’s sequel has not been lost on Disney, who has produced two Frozen short films over the past six years (that is, if you consider the 21-minute featurette Olaf’s Frozen Adventure a “short film”) to sate the hunger of younger fans and keep interest in the characters alive until they could produce a sequel. Few details have been released about the plot of the film, but many fans on social media have been hopeful that a lesbian love interest is in store for Elsa the Ice Queen. Steven Universe: The Movie (Fall 2019) Very little is known about the movie based on the hit Cartoon Network TV series, which was announced at SDCC 2018 and given a premiere timeframe after the explosive Season 5 finale. It is unknown how this movie will connect to the main story arc of the series, and many plot points have not been released. However, the teaser trailer shows a spinning heart-shaped gem showing the Crystal Gems and a shadowy red Homeworld gem, likely the main antagonist. Television Carmen Sandiego (Netflix, Jan. 18) Based off the original '90s phenomenon, Carmen Sandiego stars Gina Rodriquez in the titular role, with Finn Wolfhard joining the secretive caper as her online accomplice. The story will follow Sandiego in her current globe-trotting escapades as well as revealing the mysterious past that led to her criminal activity. Vikingskool (Disney Channel, late 2019) This series follows a group of young Vikings attending a training school to become full-fledged warriors. Vikingskool follows Erik, Arnie, and Ilba, three Viking friends who navigate the magical world loosely based on Norse mythology. The show was originally pitched for a more mature audience but has presumably been toned-down for the main demographic of 6-11 year-olds. ThunderCats Roar (Cartoon Network, TBA) Following the original premise of the ThunderCats series, ThunderCats Roar follows Lion-O and the rest of the feline warriors with a more cartoonish and whimsical atmosphere. The reboot has been criticized by older fans of the original series for adhering to the so-called lazy “CalArts style” of animation, but seems to be focusing appeal to a younger audience that can be reintroduced to the franchise. The Owl House (Disney Channel, TBA) [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image from Variety[/caption] The Owl House is a fantasy show created by Dana Terrace, who has worked on Gravity Falls and DuckTales as a storyboard artist and a director, respectively. The series follows Luz, a human teenage girl who accidentally finds herself in a demon-inhabited world. Luz befriends King, a tiny warrior, and Eda, a rebellious witch, and decides to pursue her desire to become a witch herself, despite having no magical abilities whatsoever. The Owl House would be the fourth series produced by a woman for Disney Television Animation. Victor and Valentino (Cartoon Network, TBA) While the original pilot appeared in 2016, Victor and Valentino was greenlit to premiere in 2019. The story follows the two titular half-brothers, who explore supernatural mysteries and Mexican folklore come to life while visiting their grandmother in the small town of Monte Macabre. Many speculate that the show will premiere in late October just as the pilot originally aired, close to the Day of the Dead holiday celebration. Amphibia (Disney Channel, TBA) Created and executive produced by Matt Braly, who originally worked as a director on Gravity Falls, this series follows the adventures of Anne, a 13-year-old girl mysteriously whisked into the magical realm of the titular Amphibia, a marshy landscape inhabited by anthropomorphic frogs. She befriends Sprig and goes on amazing adventures, while trying to figure out how to return home. A sneak preview of the show’s opening theme song was aired at SDCC 2018, but few other details have been announced. Twelve Forever (Netflix, TBA) Twelve Forever originally aired a pilot in 2015 for Cartoon Network but has been picked up by Netflix to air later this year. The series follows Reggie, who creates a Neverland-esque fantasy world where nobody ever grows up and imagination runs limitless. Reggie is joined by two other friends to live out their wildest dreams and stave off the impending responsibilities of adulthood. Glitch Techs (Nickelodeon, TBA) Glitch Techs focuses on two kids who work to battle and defeat video game monsters who have invaded the real world. One of the first non-Spongebob cartoons to be greenlit on the network in recent years, production was mysteriously halted on the show by Nickelodeon, with many artists working on the show seemingly left out of the loop. Eric Robles, the series’ creator, has gone on the record via Instagram to clarify that the show hasn’t been canceled and will still premiere this year as planned. Infinity Train (Cartoon Network, TBA) After the pilot became a viral hit on YouTube in fall of 2016, leading to an online petition that garnered thousands of supporters, Cartoon Network decided to greenlight Infinity Train in spring of 2018 to premiere sometime this year. Many are also speculating a fall release, as the series will take place during the autumn season and the pilot originally released in November. The series stars Tulip, a logical red-haired girl trapped on a mysteriously infinite train with a robotic companion named One-One. Each train car produces a set of challenges or obstacles, ranging from complex puzzles to bizarre worlds, all of which prevent Tulip from making her way back home. Hazbin Hotel (Web series, TBA) Hazbin Hotel is a mature comedy-musical following the princess of hell who opens a hotel to redeem and rehabilitate sinners and manage the overpopulation of the Inferno. This series is almost entirely produced independently and funded through Patreon donations, and many sneak-peeks of the show can be found on YouTube. Harley Quinn (Web series, October 2019) The popular clown killer will get her own series on DC Universe, the DC on-demand streaming service. This series follows the titular character, voiced by Kaley Cuoco, after she breaks up with the Joker and kindles a friendship with Poison Ivy to join the Legion of Doom. 2019 will certainly be a big year for the world of animation, from the silver screen to the TV screen to your phone screen. Some of the premieres will likely be a big hit, while others may fall short of their hype. Still others, including ones I did not mention here, may become bigger breakout hits than was originally expected. And that’s not to mention many existing series that will likely make even bigger waves in their continuity, such as Steven Universe, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, and Ducktales. The real big question will be which productions will draw in big audiences and which ones will erase their chances of success. Sources: Telegraph, IndieWire, Vox, Newsweek, The Daily Dot, Byte BSU, Cartoon Brew,

12 Christmas movie classics to give as gifts for the holidays

by Joe Bursley Tis the season to light the fireplace, drink some hot cocoa, and snuggle with your family watching Christmas movies once the sun sets at 4:30 in the afternoon. Now, if you’ve ever browsed movie channels like Freeform, Lifetime, or Hallmark, you’ll realize that there are more holiday movies than you could watch between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. And sadly, most of them are garbage. So, if you want to use your movie-watching time wisely or need to gift a distant relative some decent DVDs for the family holiday party, here are, in no particular order, 12 great holiday films to enjoy this Christmas season. 12 – Elf I am by no means a fan of Will Ferrell or this movie, but it does have an iconic place as a more modern 21st-st century Christmas film. Buddy the Elf’s annoying yet somehow-endearing cheerfulness lends some laughs to his quest to find his human family after discovering he isn’t a real elf. From putting syrup on pancakes, to befriending a narwhal, to tackling a department store Santa imposter, this movie has some iconic scenes surrounded by others that make a worthwhile movie to watch at the holidays. You know, if there’s no other option. 11 – The Polar Express While some cringe at the unsettling early-2000s rendering of a motion capture animated film, the story and heart behind The Polar Express is strong enough to overcome the fact that the main protagonist kinda looks like a middle-aged Tom Hanks. The classic tale of a magic train that takes a doubtful young boy to visit Santa at the North Pole is filled with humor, thrills, ear worm songs, Tom Hanks overacting in multiple roles, and a touching story about believing in Christmas magic. And, admit it, we all wanted to ride the Polar Express and drink that “HOT HOT” chocolate on Christmas Eve when we were younger. 10 – The Santa Clause This movie is part of the reason I had trouble spelling “Santa Claus” when I was younger. Starring Disney’s everyman from the 1990’s Tim Allen, The Santa Clause is about Scott Calvin who (accidentally) kills Santa on his roof one Christmas Eve. After putting on the red suit and finishing delivering the presents, Scott wakes up at home believing it all to be a dream. That is, until his body undergoes a magical transformation to become the real Santa Claus. The movie is as cheesy as any other 90s movie but has some good humor and touching moments between Scott and his son Charlie, who has to deal with his parents’ divorce at a young age. I won’t mention the two sequels made nearly a decade after the original film, because they are honestly just a cash grab, and not worth the ink I would use to write about them. If you’re looking for a nostalgic yet corny holiday film that only makes you groan half of the time, The Santa Clause is a great choice. 9 – How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) Speaking of nostalgic, corny holiday films, Jim Carrey certainly knows how to ham it up in the live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas based on the classic Dr. Seuss story. This zany holiday film retells the story of a green grump who steals Christmas from Whoville before realizing the true meaning of the holiday. However, it does so with outrageous sets, and costumes, and snarky jokes for kids and adults alike., To top it all off, the dedicated performance of Jim Carrey’s Grinch, makes living alone on a mountain with only a dog surrounded by garbage seem endearing. I’ve previously written about this film, and while I understand criticisms of the film diverging too far from the source material, this film is one of my holiday favorites, and I’m sure it can be one of yours too. 8 – Die Hard Since it is set on Christmas Eve, Die Hard makes a great action thriller addition to any Christmas movie collection. A group of terrorists take over a high-rise building hosting a holiday party, where NYC policeman John McClane and his family are celebrating. John must use his cunning, guns, and biceps to stop the terrorists and save the tower, his family, and Christmas. This movie can ruffle some feathers though, as some people incorrectly believe this is not a Christmas film, so take caution when turning it on for the holidays. Of course, if your family likes to argue incessantly about politics at the holidays, maybe this film can get them to argue about something that actually matters for a change. 7 – Home Alone Another corny 90s film that seems better through nostalgia filters is Home Alone, the story about a young boy at the holidays whose large family accidentally leaves him home, alone. While the story has lots of good life lessons about growing up and spending time with the family that truly loves you during the holidays, this film is iconic for the zany over-the-top booby traps that the young boy Kevin uses to stop a pair of bumbling burglars from breaking into his house. This climactic scene spawned four more unholy offspring in the form of bad sequels that ditch the endearing messages about Christmas and family for more cartoonish violence and amusing injuries inflicted on the criminals. Once again, only the first movie is really needed to enjoy the holiday spirit. 6 – Arthur Christmas This surprisingly well-made holiday film comes at a time when both animated movies and Christmas movies are low in quantity and in quality. This unique tale tells of the Claus family, consisting of the current Santa and his wife, the retired Grand-santa, and the two grown children Steve and Arthur. Steve runs the highly advanced technical operation of delivering presents on Christmas Eve while Arthur answers letters sent to Santa. When a child’s present gets missed during Christmas Eve, Arthur must work with his Grand-santa and a wrapping elf to deliver the present before sunrise Christmas morning. The film is funny, has great animation, and tells a wonderfully unique and inspiring story with amazing characters. If you want something newer to watch that still has that Christmas charm and spirit, definitely make sure you watch Arthur Christmas this season. 5 – A Christmas Story Set in a fictional Indiana town based on a real Indiana town, A Christmas Story showcases a series of vignettes surrounding one eventful Christmas for a 9-year-old Ralphie, which ends with him shooting his eye out with a BB gun and his family eating Christmas dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Based on a series of semi-autobiographical tales of Jean Shepard, who co-wrote and narrated the film, this classic story embodies a traditional childhood Christmas in the Midwest during the late 1930s and early 1940s, when radio dramas, leg lamps, Ovaltine, and giving children rifles for Christmas were standard fare. If you can’t wait for the 24-hour TV marathon on Christmas Day, consider buying A Christmas Story to own and watch at any time of year. 4 – Toy Story Just as Die Hard counts as a Christmas film based on the time frame setting, so too does Toy Story. The first film Pixar ever produced as well as the first fully CGI feature length film changed the animation industry as we know it, not only for its technical prowess, but also for the intriguing characters and endearing story told about toys that come to life. This movie is a classic in many regards, and it fits wonderfully as a Christmas film as well (not just because it features a lot of toys). Do not worry, I won’t mention Iron Man 3 or Batman Returns as Christmas films on this list, mostly because there is no good reason to watch either of those movies. 3 – A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens’ popular tale of a greedy miser who is visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future has had many versions and revisions over the years. You can pick the Disney version, starring Scrooge McDuck; or the Muppets version; or the modern Bill Murray version; or the CGI motion capture version with Jim Carrey; or the Looney Toons version; or any other rendition you’d like. I think it would be cruel to choose one version over another, because they all have unique aspects they bring to the classic tale. The general message is what really matters here: Christmas is a time for giving, generosity, and goodwill towards all men. 2 – A Charlie Brown Christmas The holiday TV special that launched an iconic franchise from a simple newspaper comic strip brings the Peanuts gang to life in a story about the true meaning of Christmas. Much like Dr. Seuss’s Grinch, Charles Schulz’s holiday tale bemoans consumerism and focuses on the caring and giving towards one another that should be the focus of the season, symbolized by a worn out yet real tree that transforms into a beautiful decoration against the aluminum counterparts that were popular in the 1960s. The animation is cheap yet stylistic, and the smooth jazz motifs from the Vince Guaraldi Trio are just as iconic as this holiday classic. 1 – Rankin/Bass Holiday Specials You may say that I’m cheating by not mentioning just one film for this entry but considering that the Rankin/Bass stop motion holiday specials were made for TV, none of their works are feature length. From well-known classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and The Year Without a Santa Claus to less popular features like The Little Drummer Boy, their specials have become staples of the season, especially since network television hardly creates holiday specials anymore. What’s more, these specials are often combined into multiple-disc collections, so you can watch more than just one special with a single purchase. These collections will add a classic holiday tradition to any Christmas movie binge. These 12 holiday film icons will surely be a welcome present for anyone this Christmas season. There are certainly many other Christmas films to list, not to mention the three Hanukkah movies in existence, but those films aren’t as distinguished or considered classics in the same way, so you would risk confusing or disappointing your average Secret Santa or distant cousin if they unwrapped Jingle All the Way or Jack Frost this season. These movies are entertaining, endearing, and evoke the true Christmas spirit of kindness, generosity, and family love. Images: IMDb Featured image: Tt Shinkan

History of: Dr. Seuss film adaptations

The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board.

History Of: Dr. Seuss film adaptations

by Joe Bursley The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte's editorial board. Theodore Seuss Geisel is one of the least recognizable names in all of history. However, his pseudonym “Dr. Seuss” is beloved by children and child-like adults around the world. Known for making whimsical stories that utilize poetic meter, made-up words, and deeper political messages about society and the human condition, Dr. Seuss is famous for inspiring many children to read and enjoy doing so, with many of his books becoming instant beloved classics. Just like all beloved classics, Hollywood was quick to secure the film rights and make a buck or two off of Seuss’s adapted works. The latest instance of this was Illumination Entertainment’s The Grinch, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. However, there have been several others over the past 20 years that have come to fruition. But how do these films measure up to their source material? The Lorax (2012) The next most recent film to be adapted from a work of Dr. Seuss was the Illumination Entertainment film The Lorax. This film tells the tale of a greedy old businessman named the Once-ler who destroys the environment by mass-producing his product, called a “Thneed.” During the story, he is visited by a mystical creature named the Lorax, who speaks for the trees. The Lorax tells the Once-ler to stop what he is doing or else the environment will be ruined. The Once-ler doesn’t listen, the environment is destroyed, and the Lorax literally lifts himself up into the clouds, leaving a stone that says “Unless,” indicating that the environment won’t improve “unless” people start actively caring about it. Apparently, people still don’t care enough, as the message is relevant enough today to justify a feature-length film. The film version has almost an hour and a half to tell this story, so there are some significant changes and additions made. For starters, the Once-ler is made into a young, handsome idealistic entrepreneur who plays the guitar, which helped swoon over so many young Tumblr girls that there now exists a “Once-ler fandom.” Also, the Lorax is voiced by none other than Danny Devito, who I believe was likely typecast for a short grumpy comedic relief character. There are also funny (and annoying) little animal creatures like fish, birds, and bears that serve as the “Minion-esque” bait that draws little children to the movie and toy store. However, that isn’t even the main plot of the movie. In the original tale, the Once-ler is telling his story as an environmental lesson to a kid outside his window. That kid becomes the main character Ted in The Lorax voiced by Zac Efron. A manly voice coming out of a 10-year old cartoon is disturbing enough, but Ted’s main goal is to get with Audrey, the girl next door voiced by Taylor Swift, who is at least in her mid-to-late teens. In order to get with the older girl of his dreams, Ted wants to plant a tree, which is how he ends up hearing the Once-ler’s story. There is also another even greedier businessman as the primary antagonist for two reasons: the story wanted the Once-ler to actually be a good guy, and the original book apparently wasn’t anti-corporatist enough for the 21st century. Add in half a dozen ear worm pop songs, and now The Lorax is “hip” and “swaggy” enough for kids to enjoy. Horton Hears a Who! (2008) Horton Hears a Who! is about an elephant named Horton who hears a Who. More specifically, the elephant hears a small yelp on a speck of dust, which he catches on a clover. The yelp comes from a Who scientist in Whoville, an entire city of miniature people. Both Horton and the scientist must convince not only the city of Whoville, but also the animals of the jungle, that there exists a city on a speck floating around in a larger world. The movie version, for the most part, is pretty true to the book. There is an evil kangaroo, a trio of monkeys, and a vulture that try to destroy the speck. The flower is eventually lost in a large meadow, and near the end, the animals capture Horton to boil the flower in oil before the Whoville Whos make enough noise to be heard. The movie pads the runtime with lots of extra cartoonish antics, but the substance of the story is really close to the book. There are a few major changes, however. The scientist is changed into the Mayor of Whoville, voiced by Steve Carell, who has much more of the plot focus than the original book. Not only does he have a conflict with the city council in convincing the town they live on a speck, but he also has 96 daughters and an emo son named Jojo, who becomes pivotal to the climax. Horton, voiced by Jim Carrey, is a “school” teacher to the kids of the jungle, whose zany antics and Jim Carrey-ness causes concern among many of the parents and leads to distrust. There is also a mouse named Morton voiced by Seth Rogen, who acts as Horton’s best friend and voice of reason. I'm not sure why the voice of reason was chosen to be portrayed by Seth Rogen, but hey, it’s a kids' movie. Overall, the movie stays true to the original story and somehow manages to have even fewer musical numbers than the original 1970s cartoon. The Cat in the Hat (2003) The second (and last) live-action film adaptation of a Dr. Seuss story was The Cat in the Hat, starring Mike “Get out of my swamp” Meyers. The Cat in the Hat book doesn’t appear to have a deeper moral behind it; instead, the simplistic story follows a cat in a hat who helps two children have fun (and nearly destroy their house) during a rainy day. Dr. Seuss was apparently challenged to write a book that could help young kids learn to read that they wouldn’t hate, as opposed to the Dick and Jane short readers being used at the time. The movie was a critical disappointment, with many critics attacking the multiple liberties taken with the story in order to fill a feature-length film. Many parents also criticized the adult humor and multiple innuendos, arguing that the film should have been rated PG-13. It is likely because of all these reasons that Dr. Seuss’s widow, Audrey Stone Geisel, has forbidden any more live-action adaptations. But at least we got some decent memes from this atrocious film. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) The first and most well-known film adaptation of Dr. Seuss's works was How the Grinch Stole Christmas, starring Jim Carrey (two-for-two in Seuss starring roles) as the titular green grump who decries the fallacy of holiday consumerism. I’m sure the irony wasn’t lost on Dr. Seuss regarding the use of the Christmas season for material gain, since his original book sold over 3 million copies between 1957 and 2000. The premise of the book is as follows: The Whos in Whoville like Christmas, but the Grinch hates it, so he dresses as Santa Claus and steals all material possessions, then experiences a cardiomegaly and returns all the material possessions to Whoville after learning that Christmas is about more than just material possessions. The film adds a lot more to the story (noticing a pattern here?) in order to, once again, pad the runtime. Cindy Lou Who has her own subplot discovering the true meaning of Christmas and inviting the Grinch to Whoville’s celebration. The townspeople of Whoville are also focused on consumer culture, between Christmas Light competitions, maxing out credit cards on gifts, and having a “Nog Off,” which makes the final message of Christmas being about celebrating and sharing with close friends and family much more prominent. There is also the tragic backstory to explain why the Grinch hates Christmas: He was bullied for being green and hairy in front of a girl he likes, with whom he ends up with at the end of the movie. No, really, that's it. While I personally enjoy this movie come Christmas time (it is certainly very quotable), the film does make many changes to the original heart-warming story and is seen by many as a corrupt version of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale. But at least they didn’t change the “Mr. Grinch” song to a hip rap version. These different film versions of Dr. Seuss’s work have their fair share of uber-fans and critics alike. Many are joyed to see these classic stories reimagined for the silver screen, but others condemn the multiple changes and additions made to increase runtimes and sell tickets to a mass audience. While the typical Dr. Seuss messages are still present, the impact and importance may be missed due to everything else these movies throw at the audience. So, will the latest film adaptation, The Grinch, surpass expectations of previous critics? Or will it fall short of capturing the magic that makes Dr. Seuss’s stories so timeless? One thing is for sure: Tumblr now has a new shipping idol to fawn over. Sources: Mental Floss, Once-ler Fandom Wiki, NPR, TV Overmind, Publishers Weekly, Mayo Clinic, Polygon Images: Hollywood Reporter, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Imgur, Bustle Featured Image: Tt Shinkan

What is 'CalArts' style?

What is "CalArts" style?

By Joe Bursley Adventure Time. Gravity Falls. Steven Universe. Star vs. The Forces of Evil. It’s not hard to argue that this past decade has seen many great cartoons with well-developed characters, beautiful music, and deep stories begin to overtake the episodic wasteland wrought by Spongebob Squarepants and others. But that is not all these shows have in common, according to some. These and other modern cartoons all suffer, supposedly, from a disease called CalArts’Style by many who critique/complain on the Internet. But what exactly do these critics mean by the term "CalArts" Style? Also called “Thin-line animation,” the term “CalArts” style is used to, more often than not, criticize the simpler character designs of many shows over the last 8 years or so. Many fans of Western animation have griped about the “simplistic” design of these cartoons, which all seem to feature round eyes, noodle arms, “bean-shaped” heads and “worm-shaped” mouths. And, as much as I hate to give credence to anyone who complains on the internet, I must say: they do have a valid point.

Avengers: Infinity War’s biggest weakness is its future

WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War and possibly future MCU films.

Avengers: Infinity War’s biggest weakness is its future

By Joe Bursley WARNING: Major spoilers ahead for Avengers: Infinity War and possibly future MCU films. The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte’s editorial board. One of the biggest complaints of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is how inconsequential its movies tend to be. The heroes always win, the bad guy is defeated and almost always killed off (unless they're fangirl-bait like Loki), and the universe is more or less returned to a normal stasis. It is difficult to watch a movie and anticipate high stakes when all the hero cast members already have sequels announced beforehand. After 18 movies, fans have been desperate for consequences in Infinity War just for a change of pace, with predictions of heroic deaths like Captain America abounding before the film's premiere. And the Russo brothers delivered in their massive Avengers movie, in the most massive way. Infinity War has lots of character deaths throughout the film, and it does leave quite the cliffhanger at the end to set up Avengers 4 next May, whatever it will be called. And, for the most part, the movies set in the MCU after Avengers 4 have remained a mystery, save for a couple. Yet I already sort of know how the next film will resolve the cliffhanger in Infinity War, or at least that it will happen. As much as Marvel tried to keep their cinematic universe’s future a secret, they didn’t quite cover all their bases. So, who does die in Infinity War? The story of Infinity War is really the story of its main protagonist, Thanos. Yes, the movie is supposedly called Avengers: Infinity War, but the movie really focuses on Thanos and his journey to collect the Infinity Stones. His reason? Because the universe is finite, and life finds a way to grow exponentially until it collapses due to a lack of resources, Thanos plans to use the Infinity Gauntlet to harness the Stones’ power to wipe out half of all life in the universe indiscriminately. From every planet and every race/species in every galaxy. “Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.” Ultimately, Thanos is successful in his mission, as he collects the Infinity Stones and seals the doom for the Avengers. The multiple deaths in the film can be split up into “pre-snap” and “post-snap,” where “post-snap” deaths result from Thanos’ balancing act, while “pre-snap” deaths are casualties on his quest to gather the Infinity Stones. The four pre-snap deaths are Loki, Heimdall, Gamora, and Vision. All the others, including Bucky, Black Panther, Doctor Strange, Falcon, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, Star-Lord, Drax, Groot, Mantis, Maria Hill, and Nick Fury, disintegrated into piles of ash once Thanos balances the universe. The film ends there, leaving the open question of what will happen next in Avengers 4. But do they really die? This is Marvel’s biggest issue with the ending of Infinity War: they killed off all their newest members. Many fans were expecting Captain America and even possibly Iron Man to bite the bullet during this film, as their contracts are basically up, and they’ve been around since the beginning of the MCU. However, all six of the original Avengers were suspiciously seen alive after the big snap (well, except for Hawkeye), while more recent stars like Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, and Black Panther all turned to ash. And this largely hints at these deaths not being permanent. If the MCU is planning to evolve and continue after Infinity War, it will likely want to use the more recently established heroes to continue what the original six started in 2012. It seems likely that the future Avengers’ roster will include Doctor Strange, Black Panther, Spider-Man, Captain Marvel (once her solo movie introduces the character in March 2019), and probably Ant Man and/or the Wasp. That can’t happen if most of these heroes are piles of ash. Marvel’s own movie roster confirms that the deaths are not permanent. Spider-Man is scheduled to have a solo sequel to his Homecoming adventure that takes place immediately after Avengers 4 and is scheduled for release July 2019. “But wait, Spider-Man died! I cried when he was clinging to Tony Stark at the end of Infinity War,” you may protest. Don’t worry; I cried to. But it would be difficult for Spider-Man to have a solo adventure after Avengers 4 if he stayed dead, which indicates he will somehow come back to life. Also, Kevin Feige, the God-King of Marvel Studios, has revealed that Black Panther will also get a sequel at some point, despite that character having bit the dust as well. So, if at least two of the ashen heroes are confirmed to come back, it's probable that everyone else will too.

MCU Recap: Where is everyone?

MCU Recap: Where is everyone?

By Joe Bursley WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Phase 3 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.             Unless your head has been buried under an Infinity Stone, you’ll know that this week marks the premiere of Avengers: Infinity War. A massive movie event that has been teased since the original Avengers six years ago, this film marks a turning point in the current Marvel Cinematic Universe with the highest stakes yet, as well as twists allegedly so shocking that Marvel has refused to reveal the name of Avengers 4.             However, the MCU currently sits at 18 separate movies preceding Infinity War, and this upcoming blockbuster apparently has 76 total characters in the movie. With so much plot and so many characters to keep track of, you may be asking yourself, “Wait, what’s going on again?” So, if you’ve missed a movie or two, or need a refresher since it’s been a few months, I’ve got you covered. Here is your quick recap of the MCU before Infinity War. Earth-bound: The Avengers, or what’s left of them.             The most recent bombshell movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was Avengers 2.5—er, Captain America: Civil War. This film, based loosely on the comic book event of the same name, follows Captain America as he feuds with Iron Man over the Sokovia Accords: an international government watchdog regulation that would keep the Avengers from acting as vigilantes, with all the collateral damage they’ve caused. No matter that Steve Rogers has helped stop World War II, an alien invasion of New York, an evil Nazi organization operating within the US government, and an army of robots created by Tony Stark’s failed AI program. But the Avengers accidentally blew up an office building while on duty, so they obviously need to be reeled in.

Frog Baby Film Festival 2018 recap review

There were no duds at Frog Baby Film Festival 2018. From top to bottom, the lineup of short films was full of clever and enjoyable submissions in a wide range of genres and styles. The cowboy westerns, action and horror films, and dystopian comedies made it impossible to know what to expect next, and that’s not even to mention the categories for documentaries and music videos. The only thing these films had in common was that they all showcased the undeniable talent of Ball State’s own home-brewed filmmaking community.

Inside Rebecca Sugar’s universe

Looking back at the 2010s, it’s amazing how many wonderful cartoons that have graced our screens. With shows like Gravity Falls, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, We Bare Bears, DuckTales (2017), and Over the Garden Wall, this decade has been so great for TV animation that it is easy to forget about trite like Teen Titans GO! (shudders). However, we would be remiss to leave out an important female creator that made waves in the industry on not one, but two great shows. That creator, in case you can’t tell by the article title, is none other than Rebecca Sugar.

Inside Rebecca Sugar’s universe

by Joe Bursley Looking back at the 2010s, it’s amazing how many wonderful cartoons that have graced our screens. With shows like Gravity Falls, Star vs. the Forces of Evil, We Bare Bears, DuckTales (2017), and Over the Garden Wall, this decade has been so great for TV animation that it is easy to forget about trite like Teen Titans GO! (shudders). However, we would be remiss to leave out an important female creator that made waves in the industry on not one, but two great shows. That creator, in case you can’t tell by the article title, is none other than Rebecca Sugar. Having started as a story writer, storyboard artist, and song writer for Adventure Time, Rebecca Sugar is perhaps more widely known for creating and developing Steven Universe. Both of these shows have been successful for similar reasons, which is what makes Sugar’s impact and legacy so phenomenal. Before we dive into her works, let’s first get some background on Sugar herself. Sugar’s first dip into the world of professional art was drawing comics for her high school newspaper and winning first place in a Newspaper Individual Writing and Editing contest. Later, she would attend the School of Visual Arts in New York, before joining the Adventure Time team as a storyboard revisionist. After a month, she was promoted to storyboard artist during the second season, before leaving in the fifth to dedicate her time to Steven Universe. Sugar is often credited for many of the songs in Adventure Time, such as “I’m Just Your Problem,” “Remember You,” and “My Best Friends in the World.” She even returned to write the song “Everything Stays” for the Stakes miniseries while working on Steven Universe. She is also noted for adding some of the more heartfelt and emotional episodes into the series, which helps explain much of the similar appeal behind Steven Universe. When she pitched Steven Universe, she became the first female to independently create a show on Cartoon Network. Now, why is Steven Universe so appealing as to have over 100 episodes in five seasons spanning five years? Part of that comes from what Rebecca Sugar has carried over from her time at Adventure Time. The series focuses on the Crystal Gems, mystical beings dedicated to protecting Earth from monsters and such. The titular character, Steven, is the youngest and only half-human member of the Crystal Gems, and the show focuses on his adventures with his mystical guardians Garnet, Amethyst, and Pearl, as well as the diverse and wacky residents of Beach City. Unlike a typical action/adventure show, Steven Universe goes the extra mile by including heartfelt characters with realistic development, excellent music, and a mysterious backstory that touches on themes of war, identity, and good and evil. All wrapped up in a colorful, imaginative, and seemingly lighthearted cartoon. Y’know, for kids! Not to get too spoiler-y here, but some of the more “adult” and “sophisticated” themes that Steven Universe and Adventure Time focus on are war and its victims, LGBT+ relationships (Rebecca herself is bisexual), identity and self-definition, mental illness, and the permanence of death. It is really amazing that both of these shows are able to mix these themes with genuine humor and lighthearted stories without looking like it belongs on Adult Swim, such as Bojack Horseman or Rick and Morty. For instance, despite the main protagonist being a young boy, all of the other Gems in the series, from allies to enemies, have been coded as females. Nearly all of the Gems are strong, powerful, and unique characters with their own story arcs and development, passing both the Bechdel and Mako Mori tests for fiction. Some of the characters also represent the LGBT+ community, such as Garnet who is the embodiment of a lesbian relationship. The show also deals with intimate relationships and consent, using fusion between two gems as a not-so-subtle metaphor for sexual intercourse. In an era when kids’ shows, such as Cartoon Network’s favorite Teen Titans GO! (*shudders*), are one-dimensional, goofy, and generally shallow, Steven Universe’s poignant yet important handling of real-world issues and topics is bold and refreshing. If you want to explore more about these shows, Adventure Time is currently airing it’s tenth and final season of the series this year. Steven Universe, on the other hand, is in its fifth season, with new episodes scheduled to air April 9th. Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to catch up! After all, we could go on another six month hiatus after the new episodes premiere, just like we did last year! (*laughter turns to violent sobbing*) Both of these magnificent cartoons have been fully manifested at least in part by Rebecca Sugar, who was named one of Forbes’ “30 under 30 in Entertainment” in 2012, for her outstanding work on both series. It’s been amazing to see her bold creativity these last few years, and personally, I can’t wait to see what she’ll deliver in the future. Sources: Wikipedia, Adventure Time Wikia, Turtle Byte, Forbes, Polygon, Lifehacker Images: Twitter, YouTube, Inverse

State of the YouTube: Censoring the Alt-Right or just the Right?

The opinions and views expressed in State of YouTube are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte's editorial board.

State of the YouTube: Censoring the Alt-Right or just the Right?

by Joe Bursley The opinions and views expressed in State of YouTube are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of Byte or Byte's editorial board. On Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, CNN tweeted a photo of Rev. Dr. King claiming, among other things, “he was a socialist before it was cool.” Some claimed that this was accurate; some believed this was a stretch. Others, regardless of whether or not Dr. King was a socialist, believed it was inappropriate for a news outlet such as CNN to promote an ideology such as socialism as “cool,” claiming that it revealed a bias in reporting during this scandalous time of “fake news.” Among them was Dave Rubin, who used his monetized YouTube channel to issue a direct message arguing “Socialism Isn’t Cool.” Shortly afterwards, Dave discovered that YouTube had demonetized his video, citing it was “not suitable for most advertisers” without explaining why. Furious as well as curious, Rubin then uploaded a short video titled “Capitalism Isn’t Cool” and found that this video stayed monetized. Now, Dave Rubin is not a typical conservative. One of the former hosts of The Young Turks, Dave claims to be a “classical liberal” who left the liberal network and the general modern movement altogether because of the “lazy thinking of progressives.” Rubin now hosts his own show on YouTube called the Rubin Report, where he interviews multiple people of multiple viewpoints on multiple topics in an effort to shine light on the type of discussion and discourse not often found in the short and segmented format of mainstream media outlets like CNN, MSNBC, or Fox News. He has, however, admitted that he enjoys the company of right-leaning thinkers more than those on the left, even if he disagrees with their viewpoints, if only because they are more willing to sit down and have an honest and open conversation. The “modern regressive Left,” as he claims, is more focused on silencing those viewpoints they disagree with. The incident with YouTube, one of many similar occurrences, serves to prove his point. Dave Rubin isn’t the only victim of this supposed oppression of free speech. Prager University, which hosted Dave’s video “Why I Left the Left,” is currently in the process of suing Google, YouTube’s parent corporation, for placing over three dozen of their educational videos on “Restricted” mode, cutting all monetization and prohibiting viewers under 18 or at some schools and universities from viewing said content. During the State of the Union in January, the Daily Wire streamed the speech with commentary before and after, discussing President Trump’s first year in office, modern conservatism, and where to purchase the best foreign cigars. The livestream, which also aired on Facebook and the Daily Wire website, was taken down on YouTube due to a copyright claim issued by Turner Broadcasting, owner of CNN. The Kicker? Daily Wire was using publicly owned and funded C-SPAN for their stream of the speech, not CNN. Now, before I go further, I want to make clear that this isn’t a “Mainstream Media is Biased!” piece or even a “Regressive Leftists Hate the Truth!” piece. I don’t care what side of the political spectrum you fall on, and I respect your right to voice your opinion. In fact, that is the exact purpose of this piece: to examine freedom of speech in the ever-changing media and political landscape, and whether or not YouTube can—and should—be allowed to make these decisions for their platform, at the expense of viewers and content creators alike. I will try my best to look at both sides of the argument, and then give my opinion at the end (although you can probably guess what I think already). ON THE ONE HAND: The case for YouTube One of the first arguments made for YouTube’s ability to monetize, restrict, or take down any content is their position as a private corporation. This is a fair argument, and the one I personally believe will win out against the Prager University lawsuit. Google is not required by law to provide a neutral stance for anything and has shown to have a left-leaning stance in multiple other areas outside of the video sharing site. The thinking goes: if traditional outlets like CNN, Fox News, the Wall Street Journal, or the New Yorker can all have pretty obvious bias towards one political leaning or the other, new media sites like YouTube, Facebook and Twitter should be allowed to as well. In fact, many conservatives are against government regulation or interference in almost any form, so why would they demand the government step in and intervene with YouTube’s right to private ownership and operation? It isn’t exactly fair, but neither is life, so we the people just need to deal with it. Another argument, which has a bit murkier reasoning, is that YouTube isn’t technically censoring conservative voices, which is questionable depending on how far you extend your definition of censorship. In most of the cases I cited above, YouTube hadn’t actually taken down content. Dave Rubin’s videos concerning capitalism or socialism remained on the site, although multiple others since then have also been demonetized. Prager University’s videos are still somewhat accessible to part of the population, and many of their other videos haven’t been restricted whatsoever. The Daily Wire incident is an exception, although the perpetrator was more CNN issuing the false copyright claim in the first place. And I won’t be the first to tell you the…interesting relationship YouTube has with internet copyright laws. There is also the issue with the purposes of monetization, which YouTube has also come under fire for recently. YouTube technically doesn’t owe anyone any money off of their videos and has used demonetization as an incentive for regular creators to update content. Limiting advertising and monetization can hurt independent channels, forcing them to possibly quit altogether because the expenses outweigh potential income. Rubin has placed increased emphasis on his Patreon in order to sustain his channel after recent demonetization hits. Prager University receives donations as a non-profit organization but will still see limited funds from restricted videos. The Daily Wire has an independent site with advertising and podcast subscriptions, so they are less affected by this issue. Other conservative channels, such as Louder with Crowder, FreedomToons, and Matt Christansen all have outside funding sources to support them instead of relying on YouTube for video income. The argument that I personally dislike, mostly due to its irrationality, is the argument that YouTube not only has the right, but the obligation, to restrict conservative voices. This belief is shared by those who claim orthodox Jew Ben Shapiro is a Nazi, or that Trump is LITERALLY Hitler, or that anyone to the right of Martin O’Malley is white supremacist. This demonizing of conservative politics is, admittedly, part of why we are struck with Trump, and displays the oppressive viewpoints of a vocal minority on the modern Left, which is what drives those like Dave Rubin away from progressivism. This “heckler’s veto” is already winning out on some college campuses, where violent protesters will terrorize a campus for hosting a right-leaning speaker in order to prevent speech from occurring. It is my hope that this doesn’t happen on the internet and that instead we can allow others to voice different opinions from our own. ON THE OTHER: The case against YouTube Legally speaking, there is not much that can be done to argue against YouTube. The only law that came close was the Fairness Doctrine, which was imposed in 1947 by the FCC and subsequently revoked in 1987—by Republicans under Reagan, no less—for supposedly violating the First Amendment. I agree with this, because I am uncomfortable with a government who can tell private organizations how to run their business or what types of speech should be allowed/enforced. I would, just like Dave Rubin, prefer the free market solution. YouTube, as a business, has the freedom to operate independently and respond to consumer demand. If consumers overwhelmingly prefer what YouTube is currently doing with their censorship and monetization policies, they can continue to operate as such. If so, a secondary site may pop up as competition, with the emphasis on neutrality and openness for creators. Some have argued that Twitch or Vimeo may provide this or that tech giant Amazon could create a popular platform to rival Google. However, YouTube could also sense consumer frustration and adjust their business practices to appeal to this displeased subset and allow for less restriction in order to remain top dog in the video sharing world. This option seems less likely to occur but still preferable to government oversight of the internet. Another argument against YouTube is that they should be more transparent about their monetization or restriction policies. It is entirely possible that there are outside factors in these videos that prompted YouTube to act how they did, instead of just a political bias (although their silence on the matter seems to indicate otherwise). This seems to be an overarching concern for YouTube, especially after the infamous Logan Paul scandal. YouTube has a right to respond to controversial or inappropriate material on their website, which is the entire reasoning behind Restricted videos in the first place. However, the lack of transparency for why some videos are restricted (Prager University), some are demonetized (Rubin Report), and some are left alone for too long (Logan Paul) has led to the creation of this controversy. Finally, the most relevant take in my opinion is the ethical argument. Yes, YouTube has every right to treat conservatives like dirt on their site—but should they? After all, YouTube likes to herald itself as the most popular platform for open sharing of video content, especially since their first motto was “Broadcast Yourself.” One of the praises of the internet is that it allows for an open environment of discussion and media sharing unrestricted by the time or political restrains of cable or print news. If YouTube wants to keep this image afloat, then they should focus more on fair treatment of all viewpoints. YouTube has every right to censor or restrict videos as necessary and even an obligation when those videos are inappropriate or offensive (*cough* Logan Paul *cough*). However, that should not extend to political content creators on the right or the left. I wouldn’t like a reversed situation, where left-wing voices were suppressed (and it’s one of my main criticisms of outlets like Fox News). I’d prefer an open marketplace of ideas, where reason, logic and facts win out over shouting an opponent into submission. Do I think that Prager University’s lawsuit should or will result in government intervention? No. Is YouTube likely to change its course by creator persuasion alone? I’m not sure; after all, YouTube has also managed to anger the LGBT+ community for similar circumstances. However, I think that this is an important topic to consider, especially as the Internet becomes more and more central in our daily lives. Do we want to live in a filter bubble, where opinions we don’t agree with are silenced or hidden away from us? I don’t, and I hope I’m not the only one. Sources: YouTube, Twitter, Wikipedia, Byte, The Wall Street Journal, The Week, Patreon, The Huffington Post, Engadget, Student News Daily Images: The Sun, Linus Tech Tips, Capital Research Center

Are smartphones peaking? A look at the smartphone industry after the Samsung Galaxy S9

The latest premium smartphone from Samsung, the S9 and the S9+, were announced on Sunday, February 25th. Many people were expecting a follow-up to the groundbreaking S8 phones from last year, as well as a “rival” to the iPhone X, because every phone needs to be compared to Apple and not the other way around—obviously. After an explosive year for smartphones, there were many skeptics believing that Samsung would be unable provide an innovative and amazing new phone that would live up to the hype set by the previous year. After watching the official release video, I have one thing to say to those skeptics: You were right.