A congressional hearing on UFOs just took place in Washington
A former intelligence officer claimed under oath that the US government is covering up its knowledge of UFOs and recovered ‘nonhuman’ biological matter. Public hearings on the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials are actually taking place. No, this isn’t the plot of an upcoming M. Night Shyamalan movie. Conspiracists have long...
Current in Culture
Opinion – Reality TV is a breeding-ground for exploitation
X Factor star Lucy Spraggan has spoken publicly about her experience on the reality show, describing it as an ‘abusive relationship.’ Reality TV has been divisive for about as long as it's been on air. Whether you love it or hate it, these shows continue to pull in ratings, luring hordes...
How Okutoyi and Jabeur are popularising African tennis
Hailing from Africa, tennis players Okutoyi and Jabeur have become an inspiration for young women, showcasing the power of dedication, talent, and resilience in pursuit of one's dreams. In sport, few narratives are as captivating and inspiring as the rise of young athletes breaking barriers and defying odds. Such individuals...
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...
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 and status for the ostensible good of underprivileged people and organisations. Stormzy recently invested in his childhood football club, Croydon...
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 that an estimated 56 per cent of people using them feel inherently negative about...
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, watched by millions around the world. But throughout the last decade, the event has borne the brunt of great scrutiny...
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...
