Want to be a chain-smoking advertising exec? This is your chance with "Mad Men Yourself" an online configurator that let's you build Facebook profile pics and desktop wallpaper in your own image. And that reminds me, if you haven't seen the series about male-dominated world of advertising in the fifties, go check it out.
Even as arthouse cinemas close down, technology is giving independent filmmakers a lifeline both by making the process of making a film cheaper and the accessibility of pay per view films to a wider audience on their TVs. Read the good news in full in The Economist. This great piece of news crushes the piracy debate pushed by Hollywood at a stroke.
film+ media+ television | in culture 
Just under half of all children are missing out on a traditional bedtime story, a survey reveals.
It found a third of youngsters watch television before falling asleep instead of having their parents read to them.
Despite more than three-quarters of parents saying they thought bedtime was a good opportunity to bond with their children, just 43 per cent read to their offspring every day.
Only 43 per cent of parents read to their children every day
The poll also found younger parents were three times more likely to feel guilty about not reading to their children.
One in ten aged 16 to 24 admitted they have never read to their offspring, with 10 per cent saying they lacked the confidence to read out loud.
Others argued that they simply didn't have the time and instead relied on nursery or childcare workers to do the job for them.
The survey, which was commissioned to mark this week's National Family Week, also found a clear gender division in reading duties.
While 47 per cent of mothers read to their children every day, only a third of fathers did the same. Six per cent admitted they never get home from work in time to read to their children due to long office hours and the credit crunch.
Richard Bailey, of Capital Shopping Centres, which conducted the poll, said: 'We want to give parents the message that if you enjoy it, your children will, and this sets a great example for them.'
Viv Bird, of charity Booktrust, said: 'As the survey shows, it can be difficult to find the time in a busy day to share a book. We want parents to experience the fun of sharing books with their children; to find the experience relaxing rather than a chore.
'We're supporting National Family Week with our own website of useful tips, advice and "good reads" to help families find books to enjoy together.'
Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers, revealed that growing numbers of youngsters were starting school unable to hold conversations because they talk so little with their parents. She said families are leading separate lives under one roof because children as young as 4 spend hours alone watching TV in their rooms, even eating their dinner there.
A survey of almost 800 ATL members found television had a strong influence on pupils' behaviour, with Big Brother, Little Britain and EastEnders causing the most problems.
big brother+ children+ eastenders+ education+ little britain+ television | in education+ lifestyle children+ television | in lifestyle 