From cursed video games like Polybius to haunted recordings, we explore the psychology behind our fear of haunted tech and our anxiety that our creations will turn on us.
Urban Legends 3 | Digital Nightmares: The Rise of the Online Legend
From the genesis of Slender Man on a forum to the moral panic of the Momo Challenge, discover how the internet, creepypasta, and collaborative storytelling have created a terrifyingly new breed of urban legend.
Sewer Alligators and Bodies in the Bed: The Shocking Urban Legends That Are Actually True
Think all urban legends are fake? Think again. We investigate the chilling cases, from sewer gators to hotel horrors, where unbelievable folklore has a basis in fact.
Urban Legends 2 | The Global Ghost: How One Urban Legend Changes Across the World
Travel the globe with the “Vanishing Hitchhiker” legend. Discover how this single story transforms into a Hawaiian goddess, a Latin American demon, and a Japanese ghost, reflecting each culture’s unique beliefs and fears.
The Babysitter is Calling from Inside the Patriarchy: A Feminist Guide to Urban Legends
Ever wonder why classic urban legends always star women in peril? We explore how tales like “The Hook” reflect deep societal anxieties about female independence.
Urban Legends 1 | The Lure of the Legend: Why Our Brains Believe Urban Legends
Explore the psychology behind urban legends. Learn how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and emotional narratives make us believe and share stories that aren’t true.
Anatomy of a Hoax: The Science of Why We Fall for Disinformation
Ever wonder why you fall for online hoaxes? Discover the cognitive biases and emotional triggers manipulators exploit and learn how to build your mental toolkit.
Recent Posts
The Unwritten Epic of You
Ever feel like your life is too ordinary to be a story? Think again. This piece explores why your stories matter more than you know and how your unique perspective is a form of literature waiting to be recognized.
Magical Realism | Listening Comprehension Practice
Improve your English listening for TOEFL, IELTS, and SAT with this university lecture on magical realism. Includes a full script, vocabulary, and 10 exam-style questions.
Literature & Us 1 | The Human Algorithm: Why Books Beat Bots in the Age of AI
In a world of AI and data, are books obsolete? Discover why literature’s power to cultivate empathy, critical thinking, and human connection is more vital than ever.
The Pen as a Lever: How Great Books Sparked Real-World Revolutions
Explore how literature acts as a powerful catalyst for social and political change. Discover case studies like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” and “The Gulag Archipelago” that prove a single story can change the world.
This Week’s Theme: Literature and Us
Explore this week’s theme, “Literature and Us” , with new podcasts, articles , and quizzes that reveal why stories are essential in the age of AI. Plus, launch our new 10-episode series, “The Story of Literature: A Global Journey”, and discover the power of storytelling.
The Psychology of Peace: How Empathy, Forgiveness, and Trust Outperform Aggression
Peace begins in the mind. Explore the psychology and neuroscience behind conflict and reconciliation—why empathy, forgiveness, and trust beat aggression—and learn practical language, speaking tools, and writing techniques to build peace where you live.