The psychological importance of being bored
Being bored is a horrible feeling, but psychologists are starting to believe that it is a necessary part of the human experience that drives us to expand our own creativity, improve self-awareness, problem-solve, and take on new challenges. When was the last time you were truly bored? Most of us...
Current in Culture
San Diego Comic-Con goes ahead without Hollywood star power
The pinnacle of geek fandom, the San Diego Comic-Con, has finally gotten back underway after a two-year Covid hiatus. Due to ongoing actor strikes, however, star power will not be a key draw at this convention. Seriously, no A-list actors at the San Diego Comic-Con! [flips table covered in POP!...
Why aren’t cities just planting more trees?
We are all obsessed with plants and for good reason. They are proven to improve our mood, purify our air, and even keep cities dramatically cooler on hot days. So with mental health struggles, air pollution, and deadly heatwaves on the rise – why are governments so slow to...
Is celebrity investment in grassroot change a good thing?
Stormzy and Beyonce are some of the latest public figures to use their wealth for social good. But are these endeavours just token gestures? In the past year, celebrities have been more open in sharing financial investments – specifically those aimed at supporting grassroots communities. Stars have been leveraging their wealth...
How Pear’s social experiment is combatting dating app fatigue
A new startup called Pear wants to eliminate our reliance on tech to foster romance. Its small green ring encourages singles across the globe to make organic connections. Earlier this year, we asked whether dating apps have taken the fun out of falling in love on the back of revelations...
Paris Olympics to seat thousands of spectators on recycled chairs
The Paris 2024 Olympics has set out to use its moment on the world’s stage to promote sustainability. Part of its multi-step effort to do so involves seating 11,000 spectators in chairs made from recycled plastic material. The Olympic Games are often regarded as a spectacular celebration of human ability,...
Could white paint help Barcelona cope with frequent heatwaves?
Spain is warming at a faster rate than any other European country. In an effort to protect city-dwellers from worsening heatwaves, the Spanish government is considering painting Barcelona’s iconic buildings white. Barcelona’s cityscape has long been hailed by urban planners and architectural novices for its practical design and abundant natural features. But climate scientists are warning that current efforts to expand local green spaces won’t be enough to keep the...
The nine-dash crayon line that got Barbie banned in Vietnam
The upcoming Barbie movie has generated worldwide excitement. Unfortunately, citizens in Vietnam won’t have the opportunity to enjoy it as its government has banned the film. Scheduled for release on July 21st, the highly anticipated Barbie movie, featuring a stellar cast, has faced a setback as the Vietnamese government has decided to ban its screening. The ban is attributed to a scene in the movie that depicts the South China...
Why ‘beige flags’ have entered the Internet’s dating vocabulary
It’s not a red flag and it’s not a green flag. What does the newly popular term ‘beige flag’ mean regarding our personal relationships and why is it causing an online debate? Red flags and green flags have been discussed in dating spheres, friendship groups, and even the workplace for the better part of a decade. We know red flags generally manifest as social faux pas and potentially unforgivable acts, such...
Opinion – Colleen Ballinger’s apology is a grim blur of comedy and consent
The former YouTube star Colleen Ballinger has faced allegations of grooming and abuse. Her bizarre response to these claims highlights the morbid meme-fication of almost everything. Colleen Ballinger isn’t a name many will recognise. Perhaps the character that made her famous, Miranda Sings, will stir memories for those in their early-to-mid-twenties. Ballinger rode the wave of huge success that YouTube made possible in the early 2010s. She was one of multiple...
