Opinion – the Mia Goth debate is toxic stan culture exemplified
The actress is being sued by an extra who alleges she ‘intentionally’ kicked him in the head on set. In response, a sub-section of her fanbase has dismissed the assault accusations with trivialising language, highlighting the problematic nature of out-of-control para-social relationships. During the last few years, Mia Goth...
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FKA Twigs calls out double standards in the modelling industry
The singer’s recent campaign with Calvin Klein faced backlash over her ‘partial nudity.’ ‘I do not see the ‘stereotypical sexual object’ they have labelled me.’ These were the words pasted beneath an image of FKA Twigs, posted by the singer to her own Instagram page this week. The photo features Twigs...
This giant ancient ape became extinct because of climate change
An ancient species of great ape, named Gigantopithecus blacki, was driven to extinction hundreds of thousands of years ago. Scientists believe climate change is mostly to blame for putting the giants’ favourite fruits out of reach during dry seasons. Between witnessing entire regions becoming upended by extreme weather and warnings...
Can wooden wind towers make renewable energy even cleaner?
Eradicating carbon-intensive materials from the production of wind turbines, like steel, Swedish start-up Modvion is creating easy-to-assemble alternatives from wood. Is this the way forward? Solar maybe the current undisputed king of the renewable energy farmyard, but wind is a close runner-up. There’s a global consensus that any chance of achieving...
Sponsored ads for weight loss injections cause a social media stir
Targeted advertisements for semaglutide injections like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy are popping up on the social media feeds of Instagram and Twitter users. The Western world can’t stop talking about Ozempic. Who is using it? How much does it cost? Is it too good to be true? What are the...
Chicken clucks allow us to identify their emotional state
Scientists have uncovered that a person can identify with 69 per cent accuracy if a call is from a happy or frustrated bird, which could help breeders improve the welfare of their flocks. According to a new study, people can tell if chickens are happy or frustrated from audio...
Billie Eilish claims Variety Magazine outed her
The singer’s latest Instagram post has garnered a mixed response, one which highlights our dangerous hyper fixation on sexuality. Billie Eilish made headlines last month when a Variety Magazine interview stated she was attracted to both men and women. The news came as no surprise to Eilish’s legion of fans. Many of them, along with the mainstream media, have speculated about the singer’s sexuality for years. But last week Eilish slammed Variety...
ChatGPT is Wikipedia’s most viewed subject of 2023
ChatGPT sits atop the most viewed subjects on Wikipedia for 2023. Given the meteoric rise of OpenAI and generative AI in general, it’s hardly surprising. The annual ranking of the most popular searches on Wikipedia is a solid indicator of what was big in the zeitgeist that year. Somewhat predictably, ChatGPT takes the cake for 2023. Curious folk have visited the public-edited encyclopaedia some 84 billion times over the last...
‘Rizz’ named word of the year by Oxford University Press
Gen Z’s favourite TikTok buzzword ‘rizz’ was crowned word of the year for 2023. Unsure what that means? A brush up on your social media dialect might be in order. The word ‘rizz’ has been named word of the year by the Oxford University Press. Based on more than 32,000 votes and final judgement from a team of language experts, the word is defined as ‘style, charm, or attractiveness; the ability...
Ofcom report says people watch porn most often during the workday
A new report by the UK communications regulator Ofcom reveals that people across the country visit porn websites more during the workday than any other time. Bored at your desk? Try whacking on an X-rated adult video. Only kidding. Obviously. Watching porn at work probably isn’t the best cure for boredom – unless you’re actively trying to get sacked. Yet up and down the country, Brits are doing exactly that. A new report...
