Opinion – the Mia Goth debate is toxic stan culture exemplified
The actress is being sued by an extra who alleges she ‘intentionally’ kicked him in the head on set. In response, a sub-section of her fanbase has dismissed the assault accusations with trivialising language, highlighting the problematic nature of out-of-control para-social relationships. During the last few years, Mia Goth...
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FKA Twigs calls out double standards in the modelling industry
The singer’s recent campaign with Calvin Klein faced backlash over her ‘partial nudity.’ ‘I do not see the ‘stereotypical sexual object’ they have labelled me.’ These were the words pasted beneath an image of FKA Twigs, posted by the singer to her own Instagram page this week. The photo features Twigs...
Sponsored ads for weight loss injections cause a social media stir
Targeted advertisements for semaglutide injections like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy are popping up on the social media feeds of Instagram and Twitter users. The Western world can’t stop talking about Ozempic. Who is using it? How much does it cost? Is it too good to be true? What are the...
Billie Eilish claims Variety Magazine outed her
The singer’s latest Instagram post has garnered a mixed response, one which highlights our dangerous hyper fixation on sexuality. Billie Eilish made headlines last month when a Variety Magazine interview stated she was attracted to both men and women. The news came as no surprise to Eilish’s legion of fans. Many...
ChatGPT is Wikipedia’s most viewed subject of 2023
ChatGPT sits atop the most viewed subjects on Wikipedia for 2023. Given the meteoric rise of OpenAI and generative AI in general, it’s hardly surprising. The annual ranking of the most popular searches on Wikipedia is a solid indicator of what was big in the zeitgeist that year. Somewhat predictably,...
Olivia Colman stars in satirical ad mocking the fossil fuel industry
The Oscar winning actress became a fossil fuel baron draped in latex for a recent Make My Money Better ad campaign. Her sarcastic taunts aim to educate the British public about how their pension funds are bolstering oil and gas profits. No reading between the lines is required for Make...
LGBTQ+ people still feel unsafe on London transport
A new report suggests that, despite widespread effort, LGBTQ+ abuse still prevails in our everyday spaces. Though the rise in LGBTQ+ figures in the mainstream media – and flourishing national pride campaigns – may foster some ignorance to the realities of queer life in the UK, that reality is still painful for many. But a new report by London TravelWatch has highlighted just how severe LGBTQ+ abuse can be, and how ingrained...
Why is Kim Kardashian on the cover of GQ’s ‘Man of the Year’ issue?
She’s a businesswoman, reality TV star, aspiring lawyer, and mother of four. Despite her long list of accolades, many people can’t help but ask: why is Kim Kardashian the face of GQ’s ‘Man of the Year’ cover spread? People may be rolling their eyes and wishing they could banish the Kardashian name from public consciousness forever, but the fact is – Kim Kardashian, specifically, isn’t going anywhere. She broke onto the...
YouTuber ‘The Completionist’ facing claims of charitable negligence
Long time YouTuber Jirard Khalil, known as ‘The Completionist’, is facing accusations of withholding over $600,000 USD in charitable donations over a span of nine years. If you’ve ever donated money to the Open Hand Foundation as part of the annual IndieLand livestreaming event, it’s likely that your money hasn’t actually gone anywhere. Organised by Jirard Khalil, a gaming YouTuber better known as ‘The Completionist’, IndieLand brings together tons of...
M&S ad controversy highlights social responsibility of brands
Amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, marketing blunders like these demonstrate the urgency of brand due diligence. Each year, the arrival of Christmas creeps slightly earlier. Nowadays, we’re still busy binning Halloween decorations and transforming pumpkins into a buffet of soups and risottos when Mariah Carey starts defrosting. And it hardly raises an eyebrow if major brands launch their festive campaigns on the 1st November. We might still be waiting for...
