A&E Commentary

In the gaming world, what was old becomes new with surprising regularity and fervour. So it was not entirely unexpected to see Microsoft and Sony roll out the Kinect and Move, respectively — their attempts at capturing the casual audience enthralled by the Nintendo Wii when it was released in late 2006.

With Halloween just around the corner, you'd think it's the perfect time to brave those cineplex crowds in hopes of catching the latest scary flick, right?

For the past six years, gossip blogger Perez Hilton has gleefully dubbed his blog "Hollywood's Most-Hated Website." He has "outed" closeted celebrities, posted leaked nude photos and sex tapes, and given out a variety of unflattering and cruel nicknames to everyone from Miley Cyrus to Jennifer Aniston.

Whether it's used for catching up with friends, playing Farmville, or distracting you while you try to write that 10-page essay you've been meaning to start, Facebook has undoubtedly altered the way we communicate. Whether you like it or not, in a short six years, Facebook has invaded our popular culture in every way, amassing 500 million users along the way.

On my summer road trip to Vegas, something changed when I crossed the 49th parallel. It wasn't the scenery, since southern Alberta and Montana have the same rolling, grassy plains. But in the car, something was different — something in the airwaves.

Is it too soon to suggest that Justin Bieber will eventually inherit the Earth? Nowadays, no hyperbole seems too ridiculous or too abstract when discussing Canada's hottest contribution to pop music this side of Avril Lavigne. The question must be asked: is Bieber fever beginning to cool, or is he, in fact, just getting hot and bothered?