Latest Stories from Charlie
Opinion – We need to improve our response to public breakdowns
If you’ve been on Instagram the last week, you’ll have seen Kanye West’s turbulent posts airing his private grievances. He routinely displays concerning behaviour, yet our collective response remains unhelpful. Kanye West is once again causing havoc online. It seems like every year – usually around the time of an album release – the producer, fashion designer, and rapper will take to social media to generate buzz. A few years ago he...
Opinion – Brockhampton were the pivotal Gen Z hip-hop group
Formed in 2011 via a Kanye West forum, Brockhampton became a hip-hop phenomenon in the latter half of the last decade. As they head into retirement, they cement themselves as a crucial voice for Gen Z artistry, encompassing the volatile and eclectic nature of the social media era. Hip-hop group and self-renowned boyband Brockhampton are officially over. Well, at least they will be, after one final performance at Coachella later...
Is age verification on UK pornography viewing a good idea?
The UK is once again attempting to pass age verification checks for porn viewers. The bill asks all upload-based websites to act with a ‘duty of care’ and remove harmful or illegal content. It may sound like a good idea in theory, but the parameters are also worryingly vague. Pornography could be seeing a major overhaul in the UK soon. The Online Safety Bill, first introduced in 2021, would require...
Why are people outraged at this music NFT startup?
A new music-based NFT company called ‘HitPiece’ has emerged online, but it has been accused of widespread theft from both mainstream and indie artists. The situation highlights the unregulated, problematic rise of NFTs. Anyone who follows creatives on Twitter – musicians, graphic designers, and producers – has likely seen the controversy surrounding HitPiece this week. Popping up seemingly out of nowhere, HitPiece describes itself as a ‘community’ that offers...
Sweden is now using crows to pick up litter
Forget everything you thought you knew about litter, waste management, and birds. Sweden is shaking things up by using crows to clean up discarded cigarette ends. Have you ever looked at a murder of crows and thought – they look like a suitable clean-up crew? Wondered if your local birds could be upstanding citizens keeping the pavements cigarette free? You can rest easy knowing those fowl-based musings are finally being...
Julian Lennon to sell NFTs of Beatles memorabilia
John Lennon’s son, Julian, will be auctioning off various Beatles memorabilia items as non-fungible tokens, including lyric notes, guitars, and outfits. Consider yourself a Beatles super fan? Are you a crypto connoisseur with a hunger for John Lennon’s old possessions? His son Julian may just have the deal of a lifetime for you. He has today announced the launch of a Beatles memorabilia auction, where digital NFT versions of...
Jay Z among artists calling for end to rap lyrics used as evidence
Vocalists, rappers, and musicians have backed a proposal to remove a state law in New York that allows for lyrics to be used as evidence in criminal trials. We could finally be seeing a change to current laws surrounding lyrical content within songs, namely hip-hop and trap, as a new letter urges New York to rethink its legal system. Jay Z, Meek Mill, Kelly Rowland, and Killer Mike, among many...
How Elizabeth Holmes pushed the limits of hustle culture
Once compared to Steve Jobs for her apparent breakthroughs in health technology, former entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes is now a criminal fraud. Her conviction reflects Silicon Valley’s relentless hype culture, and could have implications far beyond just her sentencing. For many tech enthusiasts and business hopefuls, Silicon Valley is the place to be. Home to the biggest brands in the world – including Google, Facebook, and Apple – this Californian hub...
KSI and Logan Paul announce new business venture ‘Prime’
YouTubers, boxers, and all-round celebrities KSI and Logan Paul have announced a new energy drink brand called ‘Prime’, further pushing the monetary boundaries of Gen Z self-made entrepreneurs. If you’d told the average YouTube fan in 2018 that KSI and Logan Paul would eventually go on to create their own joint energy drink project, you’d have likely been laughed out of the room. Fast forward to 2022, however, and that once...
Tech company Framework designs modular laptop to reduce e-waste
American tech company Framework has created a new laptop with modular components that can be easily repaired and replaced. It will help increase the lifespan of laptops and reduce the e-waste produced per unit. Laptops can be tricky products to purchase successfully, at least as far as getting the right thing that will last a long time. They tend to break seemingly without reason and you can easily wind up spending...
