Mind Over Media
Welcome to Mind Over Media, where we decode the psychology behind your favourite movies, TV shows, music, and pop culture moments. From deep-diving into complex characters to analyzing the lyrics that hit home, we explore the hidden psychological themes shaping the media we love. Whether it’s the mental struggles of iconic protagonists, the psychology of villains, or the deeper meaning behind a song’s lyrics, this is where entertainment meets the mind.
When the Beat Masks the Message: Questioning the Normalisation of Alcohol and Intimacy
Explore how some K-pop hits inadvertently normalize drinking and intimacy. A critical think piece on hidden cultural scripts behind the music we love.
Short Story: The Measure A Dark Inclusive Fairy Tale
In the village of Gossmere, every child is implanted with a mysterious Switch controlled by the all-seeing Measure. When Rhea dares to question the rules and her own identity, fear, rebellion, and dark consequences unfold in this chilling modern fairy tale.
Engagement by Design: The Psychological Tricks Behind Online Content Manipulation
Explore how creators exploit psychology for online engagement. Learn about the biases behind lists, corrections, and debates.
The Evolution of Death in Media: From Heroic Spectacle to Sudden Absence
Explore how portrayals of death in media have evolved from heroic, drawn-out spectacles to sudden, unceremonious losses. This essay examines the psychology of grief, trauma, and audience expectation through modern works like The Last of Us and Game of Thrones.
Dancing in the Shadow of Ignorance: Peacemaker, Fortnite, and the Psychology of Unseen Symbols
Explore how Fortnite’s Peacemaker dance emote, pulled after a shocking Season 2 twist, reveals the psychology of symbols, ignorance, and complicity in today’s political climate.
The Song That Wouldn’t Quit: Why Golden Sticks in Our Heads
Discover the psychology of earworms through Huntr/x’s hit Golden. Learn how catchy songs get stuck in your head, what brain systems are involved, and why music can act like a protective barrier for emotions.
The Crystal Gems and the Freudian Psyche: A Psychoanalytic Reading of Steven Universe
This article applies Freudian theory to the Crystal Gems in order to illuminate how the series dramatizes psychic conflict and integration. The analysis situates Steven Universe within broader conversations in media studies about allegory, pedagogy, and the psychological resonance of children’s television
From Poe’s Hop-Frog to Smiling Friends’ Mr. Frog: The Evolution of the Jester Archetype
Explore how Poe’s Hop-Frog and Smiling Friends’ Mr. Frog reveal the jester’s transformation, from gothic avenger to viral-age spectacle.
The Psychosocial Dynamics of Trauma and Healing in Marvel's The Thunderbolts
Explore how Marvel’s The Thunderbolts portrays trauma, healing, and the power of found family. This in-depth analysis connects superhero storytelling with psychology and resilience.
Thunderbolts as Psychological Allegory: Violent Potential, Entitlement, and Empathic Witnessing
A psychological analysis of Marvel’s Thunderbolts, uncovering themes of isolation, destructive fantasy, entitlement, and empathic connection.
Thematic Analysis of “Pulsar Star” by Anya Nami: Cosmic Imagery and Emotional Despair
Explore a thematic analysis of Anya Nami’s 'Pulsar Star,' uncovering emotional disintegration, cosmic isolation, self-blame, and the longing for connection. Discover how poetic lyrics reveal deep psychological truths through astrophysical metaphor.
The Devil You Know: An Analysis of Satan's Evolution in South Park and Trump's Portrayal
Explore Satan's surprising evolution in South Park from fearsome villain to empathetic ruler—and why his on-screen relationship with Trump in Season 27 is deeply out of character. A sharp psychological and political analysis.
The Magnetic Appeal of Eddie Munson
Discover why Stranger Things fans are psychologically drawn to Eddie Munson. Explore the appeal of the misunderstood misfit and what his character reveals about identity, authenticity, and the human need for belonging.
The Problem with Samuel Sterns’ Powers
Explore why Samuel Sterns' probability-predicting powers in Captain America: Brave New World defy real-world statistics. A data-driven breakdown of intelligence, prediction, and the science Hollywood gets wrong.
“Somebody Stop Me!”: A Jungian Dive into The Mask
Explore a deep Jungian analysis of the 1994 film The Mask, uncovering themes of the shadow, persona, trickster archetype, and individuation through the lens of Carl Jung’s psychology.
Fighting Stereotypes: Bruce Lee’s Psychological Resilience Against Cultural Marginalization
Explore how Bruce Lee's bicultural identity and psychological resilience empowered him to challenge Hollywood's racial stereotypes, reshaping Asian representation in global media.
The Genreless Generation: How Artist Independence and Audience Psychology Are Redefining Music
Explore how artists like Sophie Powers are redefining music by transcending genres, driven by psychology, identity, and emotional authenticity.
Centaurworld: A Psychological Analysis of Trauma, Identity, and Healing
Explore the psychological depth of Centaurworld, analyzing themes of trauma, identity integration, emotional healing, anxiety, and existential struggles in this comprehensive psychological analysis.