How capitalism turned hobbies into personal brands
In an age obsessed with niche interests and self-optimization, community has become collateral damage. There was a time when hobbies were simply things we did. You ran because you liked running. We watched films because we liked them. We read books because we fancied reading books. These activities stitched meaning into...
Current in Change
UK announces ‘most ambitious’ livestock welfare laws in a generation
England is set to phase out caged hens and pig farrowing crates under a new package of animal welfare laws announced by the government. The changes mark a major shift in how farm animals are treated, with ministers confirming plans to end the use of cages for laying hens and...
UK secondary schools to proactively tackle misogyny in 2026
The impending measures include teacher training to spot misogyny in classrooms and the enrolment of ‘high-risk’ pupils into corrective behavioural courses. The British government has thrice delayed its elusive strategy to prevent the radicalisation of young men into the ‘Manosphere’, but is now starting to show its hand. Teachers will...
Illegal mining sites are threatening the Mekong River
The global demand for rare earth minerals is starting to overwhelm Southeast Asia’s largest river system, with an increase in illegal mining sites tallying with reports of mutated fish in the Mekong River. The Mekong Basin, located in Southeast Asia, is the region’s longest river system. While the river itself...
Should we all be working less in December?
It’s time to embrace a slower pace – at least until January. December is a funny month. Things are usually amping up in your personal life and winding down in your professional one – and this imbalance strikes up a range of issues. It can be hard to focus; you might...
Opinion – Japan’s ‘carnivorous women’ talk is oppressive
In Japan, ‘carnivorous women’ and ‘herbivorous men’ are less to do with what’s on people’s plates, and more about what the different genders can bring to the table. Is this a reclamation of women’s right to consume in a free market, or is it yet another iteration of patriarchal...
Should ‘work-life harmony’ replace ‘work-life balance’ as a lifestyle goal?
A modern twist on work-life balance encourages a more ‘realistic’ and fluid approach to juggling our daily commitments. From the moment we start working, the question of balancing that work with our personal commitments becomes a lifelong fixation. And as modern capitalism demands more labour, time, and skills for comparatively less compensation, the chasm between our work and non-work selves seems only to grow. Navigating that gap feels impossible for many...
IAEA confirms damages to Chernobyl’s containment unit post-Russian strikes
Strikes from Russia early this year resulted in a breach in the Chernobyl’s radioactive containment unit. Now exposed, the IAEA is putting in a rush on repairs to prevent a new radioactive fallout. 39 years ago, a disaster occurred that would for the years to come be known as one of the world’s biggest nuclear accidents. In late April of 1986, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in what was...
Forever chemicals have been found in cereal
Your humble bowl of cornflakes might carry more risk than you know. We can all admit cereal isn’t the healthiest breakfast option – but it’s convenient and relatively inoffensive. Most simple options like cornflakes and shredded wheat provide a source of fortified carbohydrates and natural occurring nutrients. And if you avoid the super surgery brands like Krave and Coco Pops you’re starting the day with a convenient, decent meal. At least, that’s...
Lemurs are being eaten and it’s causing biodiversity breakdowns
Madagascar's lemurs have little time left. The animals are facing a new danger from the urban elite of the country who are paying handsomely for their meat. How is this impacting biodiversity and ecosystems in the region and beyond? A new study published in the Conservation Letters says that wealthy urban residents of Madagascar are eating the flesh of one of the world's most endangered primates. Eating lemurs has gained...
