Latest Stories from Charlie
Co-Op faces legal issues over facial recognition technology
The Big Brother Watch is accusing shopping chain Co-Op of misusing facial recognition technology in ‘Orwellian’ policy that matches shoppers against a database without their consent. Are you a frequent Co-Op shopper? It’s likely you’ve been inputted into a database via facial recognition technology. Big Brother Watch has sent an official complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office concerning biometric surveillance technology which is currently in use at 35 Co-Op stores. ...
Automated chess robot breaks finger of seven-year-old challenger
A small child had their finger broken by a robot during a chess game at the Moscow Open, according to Russian media. Should we be wary of potentially dangerous automation? For most, an innocuous game of chess does not come with the potential for violence, much less a broken bone or limb. That’s apparently not the case at the Moscow Open this year, however. According to Russian media, a seven-year-old...
Why did Agnes Denes grow a field of wheat in New York?
In the 1980s, Artist Agnes Denes created a wheat field in central New York, protesting the imbalance of wealth, global warming, and the patriarchy. In the midst of this unprecedented heatwave, her work feels more relevant than ever. The idea of creating a two-acre large wheat field in central Manhattan probably sounds like ludicrous fantasy in 2022, yet artist Agnes Denes did just that forty years ago. Titled ‘Wheatfield –...
99% of Glastonbury tents were taken home by public
Emily Eavis has announced on Twitter that 99% of tents were taken home from Glastonbury, after the festival appealed for ticket goers to ‘leave no trace’ once they left. For music lovers, this summer has been particularly special. Festivals are finally back in full swing after two years of stalled, cancelled, postponed, or heavily reduced gigs and music events. Perhaps the biggest of them all – at least in the UK...
Production workers for The Simpsons and Family Guy unionise
The Animation Guild is now unionising with production workers from The Simpsons, American Dad!, and Family Guy, having previously been left out compared to animators, writers, and actors. Production workers at The Simpsons, American Dad!, and Family Guy have gained voluntary recognition from 20th Television Animation, their parent company, to join The Animation Guild. It’s part of a wider push by The Animation Guild to expand the type of memberships...
Why are we watching the new Minions film in suits?
A new TikTok trend has Gen Zers flocking to their local cinemas in fully fitted suits to watch Minions: The Rise of Gru. Is it a genuine social media trend or a carefully calculated marketing scheme? The new Minions: Rise of Gru film is a bizarre entanglement of pop culture references and memes. Its musical soundtrack has a top tier features list, boasting appearances from Tame Impala, Diana Ross, Brockhampton, Phoebe...
Concept animation for ‘nuclear powered sky hotel’ goes viral
Fancy a trip to the skies for three years? Want to dip into a luxury pool above the clouds? Well, you can’t just yet, but this new viral animation concept imagines the possibilities. Have you ever found yourself cruising on a luxury ferry or yacht, yearning to be high above the clouds instead of surrounded by ocean? When you board an overseas flight, do you wish you could capture...
Opinion – Kate Bush’s surprise revival exemplifies a shifting industry
The 1985 ‘Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)’ single by Kate Bush is currently top of the UK charts, nearly four decades on from its release. It demonstrates how the current social media age allows old songs to become recontextualised for a new audience. I’m sure you’ve either seen or heard about the latest series of Netflix’s hit 1980s sci-fi series, Stranger Things, by now. The insanely popular...
New spray-on coating could replace plastic food wrapping
Researchers at Harvard and Rutgers have developed a new plant-based antimicrobial coating to protect food. It has the potential to replace single-use plastic wrappers. As anybody who eats on-the-go knows, plastic wrapping and single-use packaging is a major environmental waste problem. We throw away tons of cardboard and plastic every year, all in the name of convenience food. If we’re to meaningfully reduce our emissions and use of traditional packaging,...
Half of UK cite ‘takeaways and Netflix’ for Gen Z’s inability to buy houses
A new study by King’s College London has found that 48% of the UK public believes Gen Z spend too much on takeaways, Netflix, and coffees, which is preventing them from buying houses. The actual facts suggest otherwise. Next time you’re sat watching Friends in your overpriced rented flat, consider cancelling your subscription and throwing away those occasional coffees. You can forget about that McDonald’s order, too. Electricity? What is...
