Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Jill Biden holds the Bible during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP)

Biden sworn in as nation's 46th president

Joe Biden has officially become the 46th president of the United States. Biden took the oath of office just before noon Wednesday during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The presidential oath was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.



BYTE

Internet Explained: Social Media Trends and the Cultures they Create

Along with his friends at Harvard, Mark Zuckerberg developed a revolutionary way of communication; one that involved zero in-person interaction yet expressed everything anyone wanted to say for better or for worse. In 2004, Zuckerberg launched TheFacebook, or what it’s known today as, Facebook. Facebook went from an interactive way of communication to politics, memes, and a news outlet. Later, when Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, TikTok, etc., were founded, age groups flocked to certain platforms while abandoning others. There’s much to observe in findings and cultural influence where social media is for lack of a better term—the culprit.


BYTE

Q+A with Axel Flóvent

Singer-songwriter and Folk Iceland musician Axel Flóvent recently went on a journey of self-discovery while traveling in Europe. As a singer-songwriter, Flóvent writes and composes all his material. After growing up in a musical family, Flóvent sought identity and found inspiration from his life experiences and the environment he was living in. Flóvent says nothing else made sense to him except music, because he gave all his attention and care to it. He seeks to write as a conversation between himself and others. From a video call via Facebook Messenger, the artist agreed to discuss his life on tour, motivation, and the upcoming album You Stay by the Sea, which released on Jan. 15.



People evacuate from the West Front of the U.S. Capitol during a rehearsal the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Monday, Jan. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
NEWS

Five national stories of the week

Joe Biden plans to propose a path to citizenship for immigrants, the inuaguration rehearsal was briefly evacuated, coronavirus deaths are rising in 30 states, federal departments launch an investigation into the law enforcement response to the Capitol riot and fortified statehouses see small protests over the weekend make up this week's five national stories.


Travellers wait for their COVID-19 test results at Heathrow Airport in London, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021. The UK will close all travel corridors from Monday morning to protect against the coronavirus, with all travellers required to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter the country. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
NEWS

Five international stories of the week

Mexico agrees to a U.N. proposal for fewer Pfizer vaccines, the United Kingdom announces goals to give all adults the first COVID-19 shot by September, Israel plans to build hundreds of settlement homes before the Trump administration leaves office, Brazil approves the use of two vaccines and South Africa delays reopening schools make up this week's five international stories.



BYTE

Five Movies you might've missed in 2020

There’s no need for any explanation as to why 2020 was disastrous for film fans. Despite the few great films that did come out — like Tenet, Wonder Woman 84, Soul, The Devil All the Time, and The Invisible Man — there weren’t many films that caused a lot of excitement. Plenty of indies and streaming services continued to release films, but many of the notable titles didn’t garner a lot of attention. Nonetheless, within this wasteland of a year, there were a few notable titles that didn’t receive the love that they should have. 


BYTE

Five Lesser-Known Facts about the CD and its Fall from Popularity

1979 was a big year in the entertainment industry. Alien, Mad Max, The Amityville Horror, and more well-known films were released, but a bigger breakthrough was also released to the world: The CD. A thin, reflective disc became the most popular and sought-after avenue for playing the best music had to offer. Before the internet and after the beloved record player, CDs would take over the music industry only to begin their decline decades later. Although at one time CDs could be found anywhere music was sold, the music industry has evolved, leaving a barren wasteland of CDs in its wake.



BYTE

History Of: AJ Mitchell

Talented at the age of four, AJ Mitchell grew up in Belleville, Illinois, where he learned his piano skills from his father, a pianist. At six years old, Mitchell wrote his first song and, in high school, he was a member of the choir group. He performed at local coffee shops and bars until finding fame in 2016 on social media. His debut single “Used to Be” was released in 2017, which Mitchell claims it’s his favorite song of his to perform.


BYTE

Top Young Adult Fiction Books of 2020

As 2020 comes to an end, I realized that even though I have spent more time inside this year than just about any other person, I have yet to read a book. I then decided that my mission for the last month of the year was to read the top books of 2020. I originally planned to space out the reads throughout the month, but due to schedule changes I spent most of the week before Christmas completely immersed in books. I struggled to find a list of top books that I found to be both interesting and credible. I finally stumbled upon the Goodreads Choice Awards 2020







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