Latest Stories from Jessica
the visible power of positive thinking + how humans will look in 20 years
the future of humanity is science-driven Hello and welcome back to another newsletter from the common thred! 💫 With the world hyper-focused on football transfer news, the Coldplay concert cheating scandal, and other genuinely grim world developments, I thought it might be nice to use this edition to focus on exciting news in technology, science, health, and wellness. In other words, the stories that’ll likely get buried in your timeline. To provide...
What is the ‘Gen Z stare’ and is it a real problem?
Millennial TikTok users are taking to the platform to express their grievances about the conversation-halting deadpan look they receive while interacting with young people. Is this a real thing, and if so, what does it mean? It’s just another day on TikTok, and young people are being dragged for their apparent ‘lack of social skills’. Millennials are calling out what they’ve dubbed the ‘Gen Z stare’ – the blank faced, deer-in-headlights...
when AI becomes conscious + why men should decenter women
asked chatGPT to make a self portrait Hey hey hey 🥰 Welcome back to another juicy Tuesday newsletter. It’s a pleasure to have you with us! There’s a lot of ground to cover today, so whether your interest is in culture, tech, health, or politics - there’s something for you here. From Gen Z’s unique travel habits to what we’re missing with the ‘decenter men’ movement, the internet’s new ‘fibremaxxing’ trend, the...
How a ban on smartphones is transforming Dutch schools
As global leaders become more concerned about the impact of smartphones on children’s development, many have moved to ban their use in schools. Nearly two years into its own ban, the Dutch government is measuring the results. It’s no secret that smartphones are addictive, even to adults. The constant buzz of notifications tempts us out of the current moment, out of productivity, and social media apps steal time we’d otherwise...
Why has eyelid surgery suddenly become so popular?
Statistics from the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reveal that eyelid surgery (officially known as blepharoplasty) is now the most sought after procedure in the US. Why do people want to cut skin from their eyelids? For decades, breast augmentations and liposuction were the two most popular aesthetic procedures sought by patients in the United States. In recent years though, more and more people are headed to aesthetic surgeons...
Iris Van Herpen debuts ‘living dress’ at Paris Couture Week
The Dutch designer’s latest collection Sympoiesis featured a glowing ‘live dress’ grown with 125 million bioluminescent algae, blurring the lines between nature, fashion, and technology. The world of couture has a long-standing reputation for pushing the boundaries of what can be done with fashion. From incorporating unique sewing techniques, creating breathtaking structures, and incorporating novel materials, each new fashion week sees designers deliver on innovative creations that impress and allure. Dutch designer...
the return of drake + ICE agents in disguise
filling you in on everything you missed What’s gooooood, family! 👋 It’s that time of week again - a lovely Tuesday in London, I should add - and we’re back with another fantastic (and thicc) newsletter touching on all the news, insights, research, and stories from the last week you won’t want to miss. From learning to relinquish control in life, why ICE agents should be forced to show their faces, how...
Gen Z is radically transforming the events space
Welcome to the latest edition of The Gen Zer. This week’s newsletter is an exploration of how the events sector is being transformed by a new generation with new and novel demands. From niche interests to activity-based meet ups, affordable alternatives and silent events… the scene may never be the same (and that’s a good thing!). Over the last five years, event organisers went from being forced to move their operations...
the rise of ‘soft biohacking’ + how gen z fell out of love with instagram
do you really want to live forever? and ever? and ever? Hello everyone and welcome back to another newsletter! It’s been a warm start to the week in London 🥵 and although the heat has made activating our brain cells a little more challenging, we’re here to serve up all the latest news in culture, tech, style, beauty, the environment and more. From ‘poverty porn’ to plummeting media literacy rates, what Gen...
Why one third of Tuvalu’s population hopes to relocate to Australia
An unprecedented visa scheme between Tuvalu and Australia is garnering a huge response. Signed in 2023, the ‘neighbourly’ agreement allows Tuvaluans to live, work, and study in Australia – though most are moving against their will. Three years ago at the world’s largest annual climate meeting COP27, Tuvalu’s foreign minister Simon Kofe announced that the country was making moves to preserve its culture in the metaverse. Standing behind a podium on...
