Latest Stories from Flo
Opinion – Reality TV is a breeding-ground for exploitation
X Factor star Lucy Spraggan has spoken publicly about her experience on the reality show, describing it as an ‘abusive relationship.’ Reality TV has been divisive for about as long as it's been on air. Whether you love it or hate it, these shows continue to pull in ratings, luring hordes of wannabe-stars who are ill-prepared for the complexities of fame. Lucy Spraggan, a former X Factor contestant who found overnight stardom...
Why the bounce-back of tourism is bittersweet
As restrictions lift, we’re all reclaiming the joy of travel. But it’s best we approach this new chapter with caution. Tourism is one of the great joys in life. Correction, travel. Travel is one of the great joys in life. The distinction is necessary because of the baggage tourism carries, both literally and figuratively. While the tourism industry helps uplift entire communities, encouraging economic growth, cultural understanding, and a huge number...
Italy is removing LGBTQIA+ parents from birth certificates
It’s one of many crackdowns on the queer community since far-right prime minister Giorgia Meloni came to power. Italy is often seen as the land of love. Breathtaking seascapes, decadent food, and an intoxicating language have earned it this status of romantic mecca. But the country’s government seems to be hell-bent on betraying love left right and centre. That is, queer love. Italy has begun removing the names of non-biological gay mothers...
Is celebrity investment in grassroot change a good thing?
Stormzy and Beyonce are some of the latest public figures to use their wealth for social good. But are these endeavours just token gestures? In the past year, celebrities have been more open in sharing financial investments – specifically those aimed at supporting grassroots communities. Stars have been leveraging their wealth and status for the ostensible good of underprivileged people and organisations. Stormzy recently invested in his childhood football club, Croydon...
Should Apple be taking on mental health?
Apple’s latest iOS update will allow iPhones and to track our mental health. The news is raising questions about the rise (and ethics) of digital health. In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, our relationship with digital devices has become deeply intertwined with our daily lives. Besides dominating the tech market, Apple has made a name for itself in the health world as of late. With the launch of the Apple...
What we can learn from Yale’s Prison Education Initiative
Yale College has celebrated the graduation of several US Prison inmates who took part in the school’s new education initiative. The program's success points to a future of sufficient prison reform. Thanks to a new education initiative by Yale College and New Haven University, US inmates like Marcus Harvin are pursuing their dreams of law school. Harvin is now a fellow at Yale college. He’s also a parolee, recently released...
Opinion – Colleen Ballinger’s apology is a grim blur of comedy and consent
The former YouTube star Colleen Ballinger has faced allegations of grooming and abuse. Her bizarre response to these claims highlights the morbid meme-fication of almost everything. Colleen Ballinger isn’t a name many will recognise. Perhaps the character that made her famous, Miranda Sings, will stir memories for those in their early-to-mid-twenties. Ballinger rode the wave of huge success that YouTube made possible in the early 2010s. She was one of multiple...
Opinion – U-turn on festival drug testing is a step backward
Young people are facing higher risks at UK festivals, as the government makes organisers jump through hoops to provide basic on-site drug testing. The Loop, a UK drug-testing charity, has been a mainstay of British festivals in recent years. Parklife festival, in Manchester, has provided drug-testing to attendees via The Loop since 2014. But this year organisers were told they needed a special licence, just days before the festival started. Parklife ultimately...
How AI is impacting our education system
The advent of AI and the proliferation of social media have brought about significant changes in various aspects of our lives, including education. While the technological advancements of AI have opened up new avenues for learning, they have also introduced unforeseen challenges. One such unlikely hurdle has emerged in the form of UK school examinations. Students are using AI systems like ChatGPT and Snapchat AI to cheat on essay questions...
A UK woman’s arrest proves abortion laws affect all of us
Pro-choice demonstrators are calling for revised laws and broader understanding of an issue often viewed as someone else’s. When Roe v. Wade was overturned last year, the abortion debate reignited with a vengeance. This legal decision came as a shock to those on both sides of the pro-life/pro-choice debate. But like America’s mounting gun violence, the regression of abortion rights overseas has given British commentators a false sense of separation – a...
