Latest Stories from Jessica
You decide – is facial recognition technology essential for public safety?
Facial recognition software has been controversial since itβs conception, but news that it will be implemented into London's security cameras has sparked widespread concern over its potential for abuse. If you live in London, the CCTV capital of the world, you are captured by security cameras at least 300 times a day - from the moment you leave your home, on the commute into work, and back again. Anytime you...
βInsulate Britainβ protesters to suspend disruptive campaigning
The group has been protesting on major roadways for a total of two weeks. Hundreds have been arrested, with angry exchanges between activists and drivers happening frequently. Activists campaigning for Britain to be fully insulated by 2030 have been blocking off major roads on the M1 and M25 regularly over the last month. The motivation for blocking off these important areas of travel is to shed light on the amount of...
Marble sculptures on Tuscanyβs sea floor prevent illegal trawling
Emily Youngβs determination to increase environmental awareness through her art has seen her named βBritainβs leading living stone sculptorβ by the Financial Times. Born in London to a family of artists and politicians, Emily Young spent her life traveling across the world to learn about art, history, and its role of importance for different cultures. Though Young started out as a painter, by the early 1980βs she had begun carving into...
Arlo Parks launches art therapy initiative for global creatives
The South London musician is collaborating with Dazed and Converse to launch βArloβs Art Therapyβ for creatives who use their work as a release. Arlo Parks is known for using her music to express vulnerability β performing dreamy, poetic vocals about the ups and downs of love and life over low-key, soulful beats. The 21-year-old began writing as early as the age of eleven, penning out streams of consciousness, thoughts, and...
Italian brand Candiani is making fully biodegradable denim
In terms of environmental impact, most jeans are on par with clothing made from plastics. One European denim supplier is changing this, and you might be pleased to find that you own a pair of their jeans already. Youβre likely aware that one of the most environmentally taxing industries is fashion, with clothing production responsible for 10 percent of all greenhouse emissions. And while decent quality jeans can last for years,...
How science labs are building the future of food
Climate change is holding a sharp knife to the agricultural industry. From espresso and pasta to sushi and fish fingers, your daily bread could disappear from local menus, if not for a huge effort from scientists around the world. The agriculture industry β which has contributed massively to climate change β is getting a serious helping of karma these days. Unfortunately, this has resulted in global food prices skyrocketing to...
Opinion β Itβs time to talk about the toxicity of traditional gender roles
Despite an increase in gender fluidity, traditional narratives of what it means be male or female persist. At their most extreme, both ideals have potential to be extremely damaging. We tend to refer to toxic masculinity as displays of aggressive, dominant behaviours by men who make considerable efforts to become the archetype of a hyper-macho alpha. In our patriarchal society, instances of this can be found everywhere. From dads who tell...
Could your skincare regime be endangering sharks further?
One ingredient in popular skincare items is regularly sourced from endangered, deep ocean dwellers. Shark fin soup has racked up serious blame for the depletion of shark populations around the world. But even if you arenβt eating sharks, thereβs still a possibility that your daily habits are contributing to the great endangerment of the species. Inside the liver of sharks is a sought-after oil called squalene. Known for its hydrating and...
Relaxed attitudes towards cosmetic procedures are dangerous
Cosmetic surgeries have become commonplace in our society, but even non-evasive procedures are never without risk. What can we learn about self-acceptance from one top modelβs botched experience? The year is 2021, and youβd be hard pressed to find a celebrity who hasnβt undergone a nose job, brow lift, or sculpted their face with derma filler even slightly. In terms of body modification, female rappers and others in the spotlight have...
Parasocial relationships: Gen-Z and celebrity
The way we interact with celebrity has been irreversibly changed by how and how often we consume media. If youβve ever felt like you βknowβ a celebrity β you may want to keep reading. Donβt let the theoretical terminology leading this topic fool you into believing itβs complex. A parasocial relationship is simply a one-sided relationship, where an individual exerts time, interest, and emotional energy into another person who is...
