What a biblical book may share with 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

+ deep breaths aid anger management; smashing stuff doesn't US Edition - Today's top story: Purim's original queen: How studying the Book of Esther as fan fiction can teach us about the roots of an unruly Jewish festival [View in browser]( US Edition | 23 March 2024 [The Conversation] [The Conversation]( Fan fiction thrives online: amateur writers dreaming up new stories based on their favorite characters, from “Star Wars” to “Grey’s Anatomy.” In recent years, fanfic has even ventured offline. The massively popular “Fifty Shades of Grey” franchise, for example, began life as fanfic of the preteen series “Twilight.” But it’s not a new phenomenon. Storytellers have always been inspired by other storytellers. That even happened thousands of years ago. Purim, the carnival-like Jewish holiday that celebrates the story of Queen Esther saving Jews in ancient Persia, begins this evening. Esther Brownsmith, an aptly named religious studies scholar at the University of Dayton, [explains the surprising similarities]( between Queen Esther’s story and earlier Mesopotamian myths. Thinking about the Purim story as a kind of fanfic, Brownsmith argues, teaches us something about the power of stories. From ancient scribes in the Near East to American teens today, people have long enjoyed seeing their own experiences and identities reflected back on page or screen – writing ourselves into beloved tales. This week we also liked articles about [owls](, [Jon Stewart’s satire]( and [tattoo ink](. [ [Get a global perspective on the news, with the best of The Conversation’s journalism from around the world, twice weekly.]( ] Molly Jackson Religion and Ethics Editor Today's newsletter supported by [readers like you.]( Esther denouncing Haman, who, according to the Purim story, attempted to have all Jews within the Persian Empire massacred. Hutchinson's History of the Nations/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images [Purim’s original queen: How studying the Book of Esther as fan fiction can teach us about the roots of an unruly Jewish festival]( Esther Brownsmith, University of Dayton Whether thousands of years ago or right now, fans have always created new stories based on familiar characters, weaving their own experiences into the tale. Tattoo ink ingredients don’t always match what’s labeled on the bottle. AP Photo/Desmond Boylan [What’s in tattoo ink? My team’s chemical analysis found ingredients that aren’t on the label and could cause allergies]( John Swierk, Binghamton University, State University of New York Some tattoo inks contain unlabeled materials that can cause allergic reactions. Activities that keep you fired up don’t help you turn down your anger. Ray Massey/The Image Bank via Getty Images [Chilling out rather than blowing off steam is a better way to manage anger − new review of 154 studies reveals what works]( Sophie L. Kjaervik, Virginia Commonwealth University; Brad Bushman, The Ohio State University Activities such as deep breathing, muscle relaxation, yoga and meditation help people manage their anger, according to a meta-analysis of studies involving more than 10,000 participants. - [Jon Stewart, still a ‘tiny, neurotic man,’ back to remind Americans what’s at stake]( Dannagal G. Young, University of Delaware In the early 2000s, Jon Stewart perfected the art of ironic satire, playfully critiquing politicians, political institutions, the press and the public. What’s his role now? - [For centuries, owls were considered to bring bad luck in many cultures as well as in the US, but the outpouring of grief in New York over Flaco shows how times have changed]( Arjun Guneratne, Macalester College Owls, once seen as harbingers of death, are now celebrated in popular literature and culture in North America and Britain. - [What are microcredentials? And are they worth having?]( Daniel Douglas, Trinity College The credentials can be earned online in a matter of weeks and may lead to higher salaries, but not always. - [TikTok’s duet, green screen and stitch turn political point-scoring into an art form]( - [Lab tests show THC potency inflated on retail marijuana in Colorado]( - [Supreme Court’s questions about First Amendment cases show support for ‘free trade in ideas’]( - [Donor-advised funds: US regulators are scrambling to catch up with the boom in these charitable giving accounts]( - [AI can help predict whether a patient will respond to specific tuberculosis treatments, paving way for personalized care]( - [‘He just vanished’ − missing activists highlight Tajikistan’s disturbing use of enforced disappearances]( - [New studies suggest millions with mild cognitive impairment go undiagnosed, often until it’s too late]( - [$50K per year for a degree in a low-wage industry − is culinary school worth it?]( The Conversation Quiz 🧠- Here’s the first question of [this week’s edition:]( The “Shogun” reboot arrived recently to rave reviews. When the original miniseries premiered in 1980, 33% of U.S. households with a television tuned in, making it the second-most viewed miniseries to date. What was the most-viewed miniseries at the time? - A. "Jesus of Nazareth" - B. "Roots" - C. "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" - D. "Dune" [Test your knowledge]( - - More of The Conversation Like this newsletter? You might be interested in our weekly and biweekly emails: • [Weekly Highlights]( • [Science Editors' Picks]( • [Giving Today]( [New!] • [This Week in Religion]( • [Politics Weekly]( • [Global Perspectives]( • [Global Economy & Business]( Follow us on social media: • [Threads]( • [Bluesky]( • [Mastodon]( • [Post.news]( • [LinkedIn]( • [Instagram]( • [Facebook]( • Or [get a daily text from us]( - - About The Conversation We're a nonprofit news organization dedicated to [helping academic experts share ideas with the public](. We can give away our articles thanks to the help of foundations, universities and readers like you. 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