Nerd Factor

What’s In My Bag?

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

I have long made snarky and mocking comments about US Weekly’s attempts to normalize celebrities through its series of features that suggest stars are just like the rest of us while simultaneously promoting products.  Recently though, it occurred to me that I may not have taken the difficulties that such articles pose for the unsung heroes of the magazine to write.  So, in the finest tradition of experiential learning, I have decided to create my own “What’s in My Bag” article to see just what creating such a feature is like.  
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Inhuman Conditions

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

The Inhumans are not going to happen.  Oh, there will be a series called Inhumans and it will presumably air on Friday nights on ABC.  It’s just not going to “happen” in the more contemporary, “stop trying to make fetch happen” Mean Girls sense of the term.  And the reason for that is fairly simple.  The Inhumans never have really managed to happen.   (more…)

Nerd Factor: King Kong vs Godzilla

Nerd Factor: King Kong vs Godzilla

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

The rematch is on. After a miraculous movie deal, Godzilla and King Kong will square off on the big screen in 2020.

Many fans of giant monsters are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of this title bout. I’m not as excited as I could be. Recently I got around to watching “Kong: Skull Island” (2017), and I think our gorilla friend is in trouble.   (more…)

Nerd Factor: Heroes’ Resurgence

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

In popular culture, our heroes often grant us a license to do things in real life that we otherwise could not or should not do.

Back in 1941,  there was perhaps no greater act of wish fulfilment than the cover of “Captain America” #1. On it, the brand new, red, white and blue superhero pops Adolf (more…)

Nerd Factor: Hera, Give Her Strength

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

A while back, the Nerd Factor lauded the abilities of Wonder Woman.

Although Princess Diana has many powers, there was one superpower that was deliberately left off the list. It’s a power that she’s only recently had call to use.

While Wonder Woman’s physical might is indeed impressive, super strength is an ability found on many superhero resumes. This trait is more than just car tossing and villain punching. This is a new kind of power for her—the ability to carry an entire genre. (more…)

Nerd Factor: Compartments of the Disneyverse

Dr. Mike Robinson, LC Communication Studies Professor~

Captain America, Elsa and Darth Vader are standing in a big box retail store.  It sounds like the beginning to a joke, but it’s actually a promotional poster from the end of an aisle in Target. The image was designed to draw customers over to the kids’ t-shirt section, where many potential purchases awaited them. (more…)

Nerd Factor: S.H.I.E.L.D Goes Ghost

Dr Mike Robinson ~ LC Communication Studies Professor

          Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  returned for its fourth season last week by highlighting one of the weirder characters out there, Ghost Rider.  By focusing on the Spirit of Vengeance, the show may finally be living up to its potential as a gateway to the various corners of the Marvel Universe (MU).

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Nerd Factor: To Boldly Go Where No Show Has Gone Before

Dr. Clifton W Potter ~ LC History Professor

When Dr. Hopwood left Virginia Christian College in 1910, his place was taken by Dr. S.T. Willis who resigned in 1912. The third president of the college, Dr. G.O. Davis had served as vice president and financial agent before he assumed the chief leadership position in an administration haunted by the less than orthodox monetary policies of Josephus Hopwood. He resigned in June 1915.

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Nerd Factor: Should The World End

Dr , Clifton W. Potter ~ LC History Professor

You don’t have to spend much time on social media today to see that some people figure the end of civilization is nigh. Don’t despair, Hornets. If everything ends, you’ve got your liberal arts education to back you up in the Mad Max-style world of the post-apocalypse. Let’s put it in terms you’ll find familiar.

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