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Farah Mohammed

Farahnaz Mohammed is a nomadic journalist, based wherever there’s an internet connection. Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, The Guardian, The Women’s Media Center and others, and her work has been referenced by Quartz, The Washington Post and El Colombiano. Farah holds a Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Masters in Spanish and English Literature from The University of Edinburgh. You can find her on twitter @FarahColette, or at www.farahmohammed.com.

From the video game State of Decay

The Therapeutic Value of Horror Video Games

In stressful situations, seeking out even more stress can be cathartic.
A chicken surrounded by chicks

So You Want to Buy a Pet Chicken?

Looking for a sense of comfort and security by buying a chicken? You'll get more than you bargained for.
A woman on a conference call in front of a bookcase

The Timeless Art of the Bookcase Flex

Flaunting a massive collection of books did not start with work-from-home videoconferences.
A man texting at night in his home

Why You Want to Text Your Ex in Quarantine

The psychology behind your urge to connect.
A Waffle House in Augusta, Georgia on March 30, 2020

Waffle Houses Mean Way More Than Waffles in Disasters

The restaurant chain and FEMA work together in calamities like tornadoes and hurricanes, for good reason.
A live window display to celebrate UK Plus Size Fashion Week on September 3, 2015 in London, England.

How Body Positivity Coexists with Fat Shaming

Retail workers at a plus-size clothing store had to promote the contradictory messages that every body is beautiful and that being fat is bad.
A 100 dollar banknote with medical mask.

The True Costs of Managing Pandemics

The fear of the next global virus isn't just media indulging in catastrophizing; it's a collective concern for global economic and political health.
A man looking at Reddit on a laptop

AITA for Being Obsessed with Ethics in Pop Culture?

Reddit's popular AITA forum lets readers post and weigh in on everyday ethical questions. But it isn't the first public venue for those discussions.
An African American worker carrying a tool in a factory

This Wrench Smashes Patriarchy: Women and Tools

After World War II, many women in industrial jobs put down their wrenches. But the spirit of Rosie the Riveter couldn't be denied.
A hand holding a pen while surrounding by yellow crime scene tape

How to Write Great True Crime

Hint: Branch out from serial killers coming through the window.
Tough Mudder

When Sports Have “Death Waivers”

Obstacle courses can draw thousands of participants to a single event, but legal scholars say they need scrutiny.
A vintage Avon advertisement

Is Multi-Level Marketing Really Just a Pyramid Scheme?

Offering products as their main revenue base allows MLMs to operate legally, but they often have fundamentally the same ethical issues as pyramid schemes.
The Witcher

Why Netflix’s The Witcher Is a Gamble

TV shows based on video games can't capture all the little minutiae that captivate gamers, like the map in the instruction manual.
A man holding a cell phone against a mirror

When Product Placement Goes Wrong

It was a lesson brands could have used in the early 2000s.
Prince Andrew

Who Survives a Political Scandal?

For a public figure, a scandal is a predictable hazard of the trade. What's less predictable, however, is who survives one.
Asian Indian and Caucasian Friends Talking in Coffee Shop

There’s No Template for Emotional Intelligence

A templated response to any situation is the antithesis of an emotionally in-tune reaction.
koala

Are Koalas Really Going Extinct?

A report from the Australian Koala Foundation declaring koalas "functionally extinct" has caused a confusing scare. What does it mean?
A woman wearing a non-existent dress

How Much Would You Pay for a Nonexistent Dress?

Not too long ago, digital-only clothing might have been decried as a scam. But our "extended selves" are increasingly invested in virtual goods.
A Little White Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas

The Decline of the Vegas Wedding

The Little White Wedding Chapel's changing fortunes are emblematic of the state of matrimony and romance.
A box for a 23andMe test kit

The Woman Scholar Who Foresaw the Dangers of DNA Testing

In 2003, Christine Rosen wrote that "[w]e may come to know too much about ourselves to truly live in freedom."
People protest a ban against masks

Why Do Governments Target Protest Masks?

The galvanizing power of the ideology behind a protest mask is a palpable thing.
Succession

The Allure of the Millionaire Family Drama

The reason we put aside our personal dislike of rich TV families, people we might deeply resent if they were real, is two-fold.
A red drink in a glass with a metal straw

The Old New Trend of Sober Curiosity

Abstaining from alcohol is a new trend with a long, long history.
A Mission STS-116 spacewalk

Is Space Too Crowded for NASA?

NASA's retirement of the space shuttle, along with the increase of commercial space firms, have ushered in a second space age. Is NASA still relevant?
Robotic Arm Holding Blue Felt Tip Pen

Can Artificial Intelligence Be Creative?

Machines can write compelling ad copy and solve complex "real life" problems. Should the creative class be worried?