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This Happened

This Happened - April 2: Passing Of Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II died on this day in 2005, at the age of 84.

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Why was Pope John Paul II such a surprising choice?

When Polish-born Karol Wojtyla was was elected on October 16, 1978, John Paul II became the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years.

What were some of Pope John Paul II's accomplishments?

Pope John Paul II was known for his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, social justice, and peace. He also played a key role in the fall of communism in Europe, particularly in his native Poland.

Why was John Paul II controversial?

Pope John Paul II was known for his conservative stance on controversial issues such as abortion, contraception, and homosexuality. He also opposed the use of capital punishment.

How long was Pope John Paul II's papacy?

Pope John Paul II's papacy lasted for 26 years, from 1978 until his death in 2005, making him one of the longest-serving popes in history.

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Society

Influencer Union? The Next Labor Rights Battle May Be For Social Media Creators

With the end of the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, the creator economy is the next frontier for organized labor.

​photograph of a smartphone on a selfie stick

Smartphone on a selfie stick

Steve Gale/Unsplash
David Craig and Stuart Cunningham

Hollywood writers and actors recently proved that they could go toe-to-toe with powerful media conglomerates. After going on strike in the summer of 2023, they secured better pay, more transparency from streaming services and safeguards from having their work exploited or replaced by artificial intelligence.

But the future of entertainment extends well beyond Hollywood. Social media creators – otherwise known as influencers, YouTubers, TikTokers, vloggers and live streamers – entertain and inform a vast portion of the planet.

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For the past decade, we’ve mapped the contours and dimensions of the global social media entertainment industry. Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, these creators struggle to be seen as entertainers worthy of basic labor protections.

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