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...
Current in Culture
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,...
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'...
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...
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,...
Opinion – we need to prevent ‘third places’ from disappearing
The mounting cost of living, social media prevalence, and post-pandemic isolation mentality is driving socialisation outside of school, work, or home underground. With loneliness now a global public health concern, physical community locations where quality connections can flourish have never been more important – or needed. Before the pandemic, you’d rarely find me by myself. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy my own company, rather that in the years between...
AI-scripted film debut cancelled after widespread backlash
London’s Prince Charles cinema was set to debut the world’s first film with a fully AI-generated script, but the project was scrapped after more than 200 people filed complaints. Artificial Intelligence software such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and DALL-E has sparked worry amongst creatives since they first burst on the scene. Artists have raised concerns about whether AI-generated paintings, photography, or music would eventually compete with work created by humans. The ethical...
England players call out media treatment of Black footballers
The continued scapegoating of Black players has drawn backlash from sporting giants, and set a worrying precedent for a summer of football. Hopeful Brits will be firing up BBQs and filling pubs over the next few weeks, as the Euros kicks off another summer of football. Despite the general camaraderie that accompanies our nation’s favourite sport, this year’s games have already triggered the same vile media coverage that defined 2020’s Covid-delayed...
