What are lavender marriages and why are they on the rise?
Thanks to TikTok trends, a bleak dating culture, and a rising sense of patriarchal dread, we’re pining for platonic love. The term ‘lavender marriage’ originates from the ‘lavender scare’ of the mid-20th century, a period of moral panic fuelled by Sen. Joseph McCarthy and President Eisenhower that saw a widespread...
Current in Culture
What is a ‘party gap’ relationship?
Are your partner’s social habits clashing with your own? You might be in a ‘party gap’ relationship. There’s been plenty of chatter around ‘swag gap’ relationships recently. This colloquial chasm between lovers – defined by one’s sense of style and the others’ lack thereof – entered the zeitgeist thanks to...
Police urge caution over viral AI homeless prank
Gen Zers are using AI tools to trick relatives into thinking they’ve let homeless people into their property. The ensuing outrage is recorded and then posted online, with many clips going viral. Now police are warning against the prank, citing safety concerns. We’re sure that you’ve probably seen the AI...
Christiano Ronaldo becomes world’s first billionaire footballer
CR7 has officially become the world’s first billionaire footballer. Though he’s made much of his wealth by being a superhuman at the sport, his approach to branding and business is largely to thank – and it’s setting a new standard for the world’s biggest stars. According to the latest Bloomberg...
UK government plans to boost economy by loosening nightlife laws
In light of stagnated UK economic growth, the Labour government has announced a new plan to allow restaurants, pubs, and night clubs to stay open later. The UK’s Labour government has announced a new plan to allow businesses in England and Wales to stay open later with the aim of...
What’s going on between Taylor Swift and Charli XCX?
Taylor Swift and Charli XCX have been making headlines this week for a supposed ‘beef’ on both last year’s ‘Brat’ and the latest release of ‘The Life of a Showgirl.’ A Caucasian altercation is currently brewing in the pop sphere, if the rumours and fan theories are to be believed. Taylor...
Opinion – We’re lucky to have artists like Lola Young
The singer’s openness about mental health has made her a Gen Z icon. As she cancels upcoming shows to focus on her wellbeing, Lola Young’s refreshing self-preservation is a gift for all of us. Lola Young was a relatively unknown singer from South London only two years ago. The 24-year-old finally found widespread fame in 2024 when her sleeper hit ‘Messy’ took off on TikTok. Almost overnight, Young was a...
Why are we watching everything with subtitles?
The phenomenon of half-watching, half-listening is symptomatic of a broader degradation in our attention spans. Streaming services have left us paralysed with choice when it comes to entertainment. Nowadays, deciding what to watch on TV can take hours – even longer if you’re compromising with a viewing partner. And when you do finally land on something everyone agrees with, there’s another battle to be won. Whether you’re an avid defender of closed...
AI actress Tilly Norwood is causing a significant stir in Hollywood
Several talent agencies are genuinely interested in Tilly Norwood, an AI actress recently created and unveiled by the world’s first ‘AI talent studio’ Xicoia. The pushback from Hollywood has been significant. Hollywood and controversy go together like popcorn and butter, but this latest palaver is wholly unique – in that it centres on an AI-generated actress. Tilly Norwood is the name of the curated code that appears a lot like a...
Opinion – the Ryder Cup abuse is a symptom of escalating US tension
The Ryder Cup golf tournament last weekend in New York was plagued by poor crowd etiquette and aggressive behaviour, prompting McIlroy to publicly comment on the abuse. Such upset is indicative of the escalating nature of US rhetoric across nearly every facet of daily life, from politics to sport, with no clear end in sight. Europe managed to seize victory in the Ryder Cup last weekend, holding onto a...
