Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University, Author at Study Breaks

Illustration of Disney's Discovery Island

Disney’s Eerily Abandoned Discovery Island Has the Internet Hooked

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The once-popular attraction has now become practically a legend for urban explorers and dedicated parkgoers.…

January 21, 2022

Photo of characters from the show The Silent Sea

‘The Silent Sea’ Is an Ambitious Show That Falls Short

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Enjoy this spoiler-free review of Netflix’s latest entry to the science fiction genre.…

January 12, 2022

Illustration of Kitboga in an article about scams

Kitboga Is Fighting the Good Fight Against Scammers

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

As the number of fraudulent calls reaches an all-time high in the U.S., this Twitch streamer is spreading awareness of their ever-evolving tactics.…

January 3, 2022

Illustration of famous landmarks of Disney Parks

The Creative Ways Imagineers Bring Disney Parks to Life

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Through a mix of art and technology, engineers for the theme parks create experiences that truly are magical.…

December 29, 2021

Illustration of sad customer in an article about Wish

Wish and Its Struggles With Fraudulent Products

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The website and app have gained a reputation for selling counterfeit and not-quite-as-advertised items, but that’s not what the company was originally all about.…

December 25, 2021

Illustration of an empty building as an example of liminal spaces

Liminal Spaces: The Creepy and Weird Places That Fascinate the Internet

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Chances are you know the feeling of encountering an environment that feels a bit off, even if you can’t quite put your finger on why.…

December 15, 2021

Photo of a man shooting down a plane from the game Battlefield 2042

Keep Your Expectations Low for the New Battlefield 2042

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Players are reconsidering buying future games in the franchise after its recent disappointing, bug-filled release.…

December 9, 2021

SpaceX rocket taking off for an article about private space programs.

How Private Space Programs Have Changed the Landscape of Space Exploration

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Public companies like NASA are sharing their field with for-profit companies founded on the value of accessibility, but are there downsides to this development?…

December 2, 2021

Scrabble pieces spelling out be positive in an article about toxic positivity

How To Deal With Toxic Positivity and Cultivate a Healthier Kind of Optimism

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Being optimistic is great, but sometimes it’s used as a cop-out to avoid handling difficult circumstances.…

November 24, 2021

Photo of the characters from The Wheel of Time

‘The Wheel of Time’ Takes Center Stage as the Next Big Fantasy TV Series

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

Amazon Prime Video's new show aims to fill the large gap left by the conclusion of ‘Game of Thrones.'…

November 17, 2021

Illustration of the scenery from the movie Dune

‘Dune’ Is a Visual and Auditory Masterpiece

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The power of the film derives, in large part, from the careful use of scenery, costuming, sound and music.…

November 10, 2021

Photo of Evelin and Corey from 90 Day Fiancé

’90 Day Fiancé’ and Its Never-Ending Spinoffs: The Saga

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The trashy reality TV show has evolved from an interesting, innocent show to the drama-filled, toxic mess fans have come to love.…

November 3, 2021

In an article about witches a photo of witchy items

Witches: Where They Came From and Where They’re at Now

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

For a long time, this taboo practice had negative connotations, but finally, the beliefs surrounding witchcraft have started to change.…

October 27, 2021

Illustration of Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie from The Nightmare Before Christmas

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Live Show Is Making a Comeback This Halloween

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

After a three-year hiatus, the cast of the fan-favorite spooky holiday movie is returning to perform their iconic roles in person.…

October 20, 2021

A screenshot from the movie foundation of characters in front of a boat

Apple TV’s ‘Foundation’ Differs From the Books — And It’s Not a Bad Thing

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

The show's producers are making drastic changes to the original story, and they're being met with mixed criticisms.…

October 10, 2021

Xochitl Menjivar, San Francisco State University

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