It's official: pop culture makes you smarter

"For better or worse, movies dominate the American entertainment scene. As a result, the movies play an influential role in determining what we learn and how we think. 21st century life seems to suggest a trend toward the movie screen and away from books. Consequently, cinematic characters will increasingly shape values and aspirations, and plots will foster cognitive complexity and strengths (or not) in a manner previously owned by literature, news and, of course, real-world figures. The more we ensconce ourselves in technological bubbles, the more film will fulfill this prophecy." — Jeremy Clyman, Psychology Today