Latest Stories from Jessica
brands capitalise on 2016 nostalgia + can we even make babies in space?
i don't think we got the facilities for that Well hello there! Welcome (back) to your fave Tuesday stack… the common thred newsletter 🥞 Whether you’re interested in finance, politics, or culture, you should know one very important thing: young people are officially done waiting for these global systems to catch up with their needs. As a result, they’re learning to play by their own rules. Let me tell you what I mean...
Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom project is being scaled back
The Neom megaproject, first announced in 2017, involved an ambitious plan to build a megacity that ran entirely on renewable energy on the edge of a desert. The project is now being scaled back over financial and sustainability concerns. Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city of Neom is officially in the process of being ‘significantly scaled back’. First announced in 2017, the megaproject was touted as ushering in a futuristic era where...
instagram trials premium + why everyone wants to be chinese
is anyone else feeling a little more chinese lately Hey hey everybodayyy! Welcome back to the common thred (!), a digital space we’ve carved out to cut through the intensity and overwhelm of the 24 hour news cycle. Because honestly, sometimes having news app notifications on is just TMI. We’ll touch on viral trends and emerging tech, as well as the news shaping the world and the way we live it. Think of us as...
gen z turns to religion + embraces micro-retirement
he has rizz'en ya'll Welcome back to another newsletter from all of us at the common thred! ⚡️ If you’re just joining, we’d like to extend a warm welcome to you for the very first time. Either way, you’re here now, which means you’ve made it through another week of e-mails, group chat messages, and headlines that probably made you think ‘are you kidding me?!?’. We can relate, and that’s why this newsletter exists. Our mission...
snus happens… + so do dating scams
yes, even to gen z! Well, well, well… look who it is! We’re back again with another newsletter, maintaining the consistency of someone whose new years’ resolution involves getting real about going to the gym. Sure, we were off to a rocky start, but it is January after all, and we’ve now hit two weeks in a row! Long may it continue. As per, we’ve got some new, juicy, generational insights and analysis in...
Why are countries pulling out of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest?
Several European countries have pulled out of the Eurovision Song Contest, taking issue with Israel being allowed to participate despite its continued war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank since 2023. On Wednesday, Iceland became the fifth country to bow out of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, saying the political debate around Israel’s allowed participation has made it impossible to take part in good faith. The European Broadcasting Union...
Study suggests sleep may be more vital to long-term health than exercise
New research suggests that bailing on a workout due to a poor night's sleep might actually be the best decision you can make for your long-term health. A large global study is challenging the common assumption that regular exercise is the number one way to stave off long-term health issues. In some great news for me and the rest of the world’s sleepyheads, researchers have found that getting enough sleep may...
how social media transforms our reading habits + why people are nicer than you think
the data proves it! Hello everyone! 🤩 Welcome back to another newsletter from the common thred. After two weeks of radio silence (our sincerest apologies), we’re back with a bang on this wonderful Tuesday. Compiling stories from around the world, as well as developments in culture, tech, and a sprinkle of positive news, this edition has got you covered if you’re looking for a juicy weekly update. So what are you waiting for? Grab...
Cambridge Dictionary names ‘parasocial’ its Word of the Year
Highlighting the prevalence of ‘unhealthy’ and ‘one-sided’ relationships people are forming with celebrities, influencers, and AI chatbots today, Cambridge Dictionary has named ‘parasocial’ as its Word of the Year. Can you name a celebrity you feel like you ‘know’ because you’ve paid so much attention to their career and personal life? The person that springs to mind may be an actor, singer, athlete, or influencer. Perhaps you have at least one...
the big perfume debate + pregnant robots?
in the words of nene leakes: it's getting weird Hey chat! 💬 You already know what time it is :) hope you’re feeling fresh and well this week, and that you’re staying warm with temperatures dropping suddenly all over the place! ❄️ This week we’ve got several interesting stories for you, two focused on culture (to spray or not to spray?) as well some some positive news in both environment and tech...
