my stupid ‘incurable’ disorder(s)
one truly sh*t medical marvel. So, my name has once again popped up on the Wildcard rotation and to be honest I don’t have a tonne of topics I’d like to explore. However, yesterday evening the night sky was full of static again and my ears were ringing till my offspring...
Current in Culture
Scientists are attempting to prove that we’re living in a simulation
Humans have questioned the authenticity of our existence for centuries, but former NASA scientist Thomas Campbell is aiming to ratify once and for all whether we’re living in a simulation. René Descartes in the 1600s came up with the immemorial Latin phrase ‘cogito, ergo sum’ – translated to ‘I think,...
Meditating on our environment at ‘The River’
The latest in the Natural History Museum’s free contemporary art programme, The River – composed by acclaimed Norwegian sound artist Jana Winderen in collaboration with spatial audio expert Tony Myatt – explores the world below the surface of the Thames using underwater recordings, highlighting the importance of sound in...
What happens to our online data after death?
Our digital footprints will long outlive us, inadvertently leaving our loved ones to tackle a privacy conundrum. Should we care? Fear of death is an existential crisis most people contend with at several stages of life. When getting our affairs in order, however, little thought is given as to what...
Who will be ousted from the revolving door of celebrity next?
In the age of the internet, a celebrity can fall from fame just as fast as they rose towards it. But this strange phenomenon mainly happens to famous women, and it’s causing them to send fans one simple message: I am human. It seems like every week there’s a new...
Why are European Gen Zers taking Nazi-themed party drugs?
As an increasing number of European youngsters lurch towards far-right political views, are the themes of their party drugs following. Or, is this just another obscure trend? When one mentions ecstasy, what immediately springs to mind: perhaps love, euphoria, or overwhelming feelings of empathy. What isn’t typically conjured is thoughts...
Are Gen Z picking up the phone less?
In an age where typed out texts and DMs dominate our means of communication, is answering a phone call a real fear for young people? The haunting bells of an incoming call ignite the room. You reach for your device only to find an unknown number. In a blazing frenzy, you come to a stand and begin to contemplate. Who is it? What do they want? Why me? You launch the...
The generation of young people hooked on a pen
What was once used to rid us of a more sinister evil is now a casually prevalent vapour snack for the masses. A new wave of pen lovers has entered the room. I’m not referring to a Biro, unfortunately. I’m talking about the torrent of vape pens gripped to adolescents' pursed lips. Recently, the vaping company Blu released a brief history of vaping devices, revealing a pattern in the evolution...
Why are performers ditching Latitude Festival 2024?
Barclays has cut all ties with Live Nations events for 2024 including Latitude Festival. The bank’s financial interests in Israel’s weapons trade prompted a host of sponsors and performers to ditch the event. As boycotts go in the cultural scene, this is a big one. A host of talent across both music and comedy have decided to axe themselves from the lineup at Latitude Festival, which is fast approaching next...
Opinion – the Back to Black biopic deserves the backlash
Just over a decade since the tragic death of Amy Winehouse, a film promising to chart her ‘intense journey to fame’ was released. While some fans have delighted in seeing her legacy play out on screen, many have criticised director Sam Taylor-Johnson for exploiting female pain. I vividly remember the day that Amy Winehouse died. Growing up, she was by far my favourite singer and despite being only 14-years-old,...
