Millennial Media

The media saturated generation Y.

by Goal Auzeen Saedi

Air Travel as Hazardous to Your Health

Between sky-high prices, cutbacks, and intrusive screenings, travel is more hassle than pleasant escape these days. Will we ever regain our basic human rights when flying the not-so-friendly skies? Read More

The Rise of the PhDiva

Why has the choice for women been between books or looks? Some women like sparkles, and still possess an IQ that dazzles. The feminist movement has too often been focused on men. The time for women to set the agenda has been long overdue. Welcome, the PhDiva. Read More

Phone Apps for Better Mental Health

In today’s ever bustling pace of life, it can be challenging to slow down and take care of ourselves. With so many things demanding our constant attention, our own mental well-being can quickly deteriorate. Though we may partly blame technologies, some innovative companies have come to find ways of incorporating them to better our overall health. Read More

Movie Bad Boy = New Prince Charming?

Between my work as a therapist to young college women, and role as a friend and confidant to many amazing women, I can say I do one thing a lot. Relationship therapy. I have often found a common thread that seems to tie many of these women’s stories together—the unyielding search for the right guy and attaching to him, when all the signs indicate that he’s the wrong one. Read More

How Texting Can Improve Mental Health

A recent study conducted by UC Berkeley researchers has found an innovative perspective on texting. Though many of us often feel bogged down or even stressed out by the constant barrage of technologies commanding our attention, for some texting can be a relief. Read More

Let’s Go Shopping!

Is the push for increasingly academically-oriented games for children excessive? What about simple creative playtime? According to the Flynn effect, children's IQs are increasing over time. What about going back to the days of yore and simple board games? Read More

Brittney Griner Target of Social Media and ESPN Commentators

Last night was the NCAA championship women’s basketball game. The match-up featuring the undefeated Baylor against the University of Notre Dame ended in a Baylor win. While the women on both teams played hard with some amazing shots and plays, no one could deny something that was on so many people’s minds. Who is Brittney Griner and where did she come from? Read More

What Exactly Do Millennials Care About?

Who makes up Generation Y? What do they care about? Millennial Media blog top 10 can provide us with a few clues. Hint: Facebook, texting, hookups, and the Kardashians all made the list. Read More

What Not To Wear: Bikini Edition

The swimsuit trend that is sweeping America, and causing you to slap your hand over your young children's eyes. Read More

"Hart of Dixie" is Full of Heart

Rumors have been abuzz that the new CW television show Hart of Dixie may not pick up enough viewers for the show to continue onto another season. Should they be true, this is unfortunate, as it is one of TV's only shows that comically and accurately portrays the life of today's young professionals. Read More

Do Nice Guys (and Girls) Really Finish Last?

Do nice guys really finish last? What about nice women? A new study from the business school at Notre Dame examines the relationship between income, agreeableness, and gender. Read More

I’m Sexy and I Know It

Infomercial innovations may be diagnostic of disordered thinking about women's bodies. Much in the same way that certain behaviors may be clinically significant in assessing for pathology, "Trendy Tops" and "Strap Perfects" may also be indicators that something is definitely wrong. Read More

Characters Unite to End Prejudice

USA Network's "Characters Unite" campaign to end intolerance, hatred, and discrimination takes a new approach to an age old issue. As America stands more divided than ever before, a media-based social justice effort is made to bring us closer, and to address issues affecting under-represented and marginalized groups. Read More

The Inclusion of PMDD in DSM-5

"What's wrong with her?" "Oh, you know ... she's PMSing." Though menstruation may have gotten a bad reputation, it doesn't mean that PMS and PMDD are not serious conditions warranting further study and sustained research funding. Inclusion of PMDD into DSM-5 may be a small victory toward this aim. Read More

Are Classy Women Making a Comeback?

Young Hollywood has rarely left a positive role model for young women to emulate. From criminal records to half-clad waifish frames, our image of what it means to be young and successful is hardly anything to boast about. Yet, it appears that the classy factor may finally be gaining popularity. From the Duchess to an heiress in the Hamptons, perhaps the tide is turning. Read More

My Week with Marilyn: A Portrait of Mental Illness

Marilyn Monroe is synonymous with sexy blonde bombshell. She was at times a controversial figure, both for the scandals that followed her, and the objectification she brought to womanhood. But what was she like behind the scenes? A new film shares an intimate portrait of illness and self-doubt that shines a new light on the film star. Read More

Can Gossip Be Good?

Historically, gossip has been understood to damage reputations and even lives. Yet, a new study from Berkeley suggests some forms of gossip to help in restoring the social order. As it turns out, some forms of gossip may be virtuous. Read More

E.M.P.O.W.E.R. Yourself Today!

How can we become happier? Perhaps the pursuit is not the goal. At least this is what the sage told Hector in the book, Hector and the Search for Happiness. As old wisdom tells us, perhaps it is the journey, rather than the destination that is most meaningful. Mindfulness theories explain that it is about the here and now. Read More

Do You Want A Piece of Me? Psychology Blog Comment Boards

People love voicing their opinions. While healthy dialogue is always welcome, when do inquiries become attacks? How can we have intelligent debates while leaving the boxing gloves at home? This year, let's practice kindness, respect, and an appreciation for diversity. Read More

"Desperate and Clingy" Isn’t Just for Women

Biological clocks and marriage timetables have always been a woman's game. Holiday films only contribute to traditional ideals of love in the most magical time of the year. But what about men? From wife hunters to the desperate, the tables have turned. Read More

Is the Lowe’s Anti-Muslim Controversy About Cognitive Distortions?

There is controversy about whether or not "All-American Muslims" portrays the truth about Islam. The message appears to be "they are not just like us." Now that Lowes, a major corporation, has pulled its ads during the show, it begs the question: Can the issue be about cognitive distortions? Read More

The Taste of Revenge May Only Be Bittersweet

Is it possible to cheat, lie, and deceive with grace and composure? Is it true that to seek revenge you must dig two graves, one of them being for yourself? Though we may be tempted to right the wrongs against us, forgiveness may be the only path to serenity. Read More

“All-American Muslim” Shows Muslims from the Heart of America

Muslims who pray, fast, and wear short skirts? Yes, ma'am. TLC's latest reality show may actually show the reality of being Muslim in America. Read More

How "Legally Blonde" Got Me into Notre Dame

Elle Woods, academic role model? That's right! Read More

The Trouble with Twihard Tweens

The impact of the Twilight book series and subsequent film franchise has been of significant proportions, making it a cult phenomenon. Although intended as a young adult novel, its legion of readers and fans ranges from pre-teens to adults. Websites such as TwilightDisorder.com attest to the near obsessive fascination with the books, films, and other associated paraphernalia. Read More

Cupcakes, Controversy, and Class

The UC Berkeley bake sale controversy has re-ignited the flames of an old debate. The news story found here explains that the UC Berkeley College Republicans were making an ill attempt at satirizing the notion of affirmative action in response to California Senate Bill 185. Read More

The Silenced Victims of 9/11: Part II

We have heard of the children of 9/11. We know exactly to whom that refers. They are the youth who lost mothers and fathers in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Some were babies, others not yet even born. We wonder what happened to them, and how they grew up. Yet, there is also another group of children who group up during 9/11 that few talk about. Read More

The Silenced Victims of 9/11: Part I

It seems almost un-American to say it. The tragedies of 9/11 had grave ramifications for countless individuals ranging from the victim's families, crisis response teams including the NYPD and NYFD, and the nation at large. But there was also another population that suffered deeply that many fail to mention. They are Arab and Muslim Americans. Read More

When Chastity Bono Became Chaz, Few Cared Until Now

We can talk about sex until the cows come home, but somehow when it comes to transgendered populations, few know what to say. Misinformation and just plain prejudice is problematic. This doesn't mean we can't start changing that and opening up the dialogue on this group. Read More

Can Deleting Facebook Friends Improve Your Life?

Goodbye, au revoir, peace out—we all say farewell in our own way. We've been taught the proper etiquette for ending a conversation or exchange since we learned to speak. Yet somehow, though we often know what goodbye means, we struggle with saying it truly and genuinely. Read More

Goal Auzeen Saedi is a doctoral student at the University of Notre Dame. She is the student chair of the APA Division in Media Psychology.

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About Millennial Media

Generation Y has seen its share of history. From the removal of a planet in our solar system, to the ubiquitous understanding of the term, "wireless," never has a generation been so saturated in media. How is meaning made from conflicting messages? What are the implications of information overload? A millennial tackles all this and more.