Opinion – Sam Smith reaction proves androgyny is selective
‘No fat people’ is a comment I have often seen on Grindr profiles plastered in their bios as if some shining medal of glory - fatphobia inside the queer community is not uncommon. Sam Smith's new music video is a victim of the same. It was never easy to proudly...
Current in Media
Disney’s Splash Mountain closes amidst controversy
Disney’s world-famous water ride ‘Splash Mountain’ closed its doors for the last time this week. Its racist provenance highlights a disillusioned generation of ‘Disney Adults’ with much to complain about. Splash Mountain has remained one of the most popular and famous rides at Walt Disney World in Florida since it...
Should banning phones at live shows become the norm?
Artists and comedians are using new technology to prevent fans from video-recording at concerts. Aside from keeping the performance exclusive to ticket-buyers, the goal is to encourage attendees to enjoy the moment without distraction – but is it a good idea? Going to a live show is a privilege, not...
Opinion – The Elephant Whisperer is necessary and urgent
Netflix’s latest nature documentary follows the story of Raghu, an elephant in India. It highlights problems within our conservation efforts and the important of nurturing our natural world. Each time we visit my maternal grandparent's house in Talcher, we pass through the districts of Dhenkanal, down the road that...
Meek Mill criticised for filming at Presidential Palace in Ghana
American rapper, Meek Mill, who recently learnt he is part Ghanaian, has faced backlash from West Africans after filming his music video at Jubilee House - the official presidential office and home. Hip-hop artist Meek Mill is popular among African Millennials and Gen Zers. The love for the genre in Africa...
Why Gen Z is ditching their smartphones on nights out
Death to the drunk Instagram story? Well, maybe. Young people are starting to swap their smartphones for simpler mobile devices on nights out. The benefits extend well beyond dealing with embarrassing social media posts from the night before. A new trend is emerging amongst Gen Z members old enough...
The problem with Sainsbury’s latest campaign and why it went viral
A new marketing campaign released by Sainsbury’s has gone viral for being completely tone-deaf about women’s safety. The adverts' timing makes its sentiments even more ridiculous, as a culture of violent sexual misconduct by serving Metropolitan Police officers is brought to light. Here we go again. You’d think that with great efforts to improve inclusivity at big corporations, especially inside marketing departments, copywriting oversights like the one spotted in Sainsbury’s latest...
Dementia villages are changing the future of elderly care
Specially designed to look like the towns where residents are from, dementia villages are giving elderly people the freedom to live normally within a close community – even as their recent memory begins to fade. Growing old is a fact of life whether we like it or not. While beauty companies love to convince us that the scariest things about ageing are the physical manifestations of it – wrinkles, grey hairs,...
A deep dive into nepotism in Bollywood
New York Magazine’s viral essay on Hollywood’s nepo baby boom has generated many thoughts and opinions on actors with famous parents. But there’s another realm of entertainment where nepotism is always at the forefront of conversations. Nate Jones’ anchor essay on nepo babies sparked conversations about star kids and their many advantages in the entertainment industry. But this conversation has always been happening in India about the Bollywood industry. “Many...
How Tory Lanez case demonstrates Hollywood’s misogyny
Rapper Tory Lanez has been found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot. But angered responses from Lanez’ fans – and the demonisation of Stallion – highlight Hollywood’s persistent issue with successful Black women. Since the summer of 2020, rapper Megan Thee Stallion has claimed Tory Lanez shot her in the foot multiple times after leaving a party in the Hollywood Hills. After a small dispute led Megan...
