The benefits and challenges of pedestrianizing Central London
Around the world, people are expressing the desire to live in a ‘walkable city’. Let’s look at some of the challenges of pedestrianizing inner-city streets, with London as an example, as well as some of the challenges to doing so. Whether or not a city is walkable greatly impacts...
Current in Culture
The Manchester Museum is returning over 170 Aboriginal artefacts
The decision marks a breakthrough in Britain’s imperialist museological history. But is it as positive as it seems? In a world increasingly conscious of its colonial legacy, the Manchester Museum has made the rather groundbreaking decision to return hundreds of Aboriginal artefacts to their rightful homes. The Aboriginal Anindilyakwa community of...
Bond Street station advertising shows scope of public space commodification
For one week, London’s Bond Street station was renamed ‘Burberry Street’ to advertise the fashion house of the same name. It caused outrage and shows how public spaces are increasingly being used to aggressively advertise. Commuters in London were left confused last week when Bond Street station was changed...
The case of Doja Cat proves cancel culture isn’t real
The artist’s new single Paint The Town Red has hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, proving that cancel culture isn’t real despite a huge portion of Doja Cat’s fanbase saying they would stop supporting her. Did you hear? Doja Cat is cancelled. After numerous years of not being taken...
NASA announces new ‘UFO Research Director’ following hearing
NASA is formalising and accelerating efforts to better understand Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) after a public hearing. With a new Research Director hired, will this be a boon for those chasing infallible evidence of otherworldly visitors? While once terms like UAP and UFO were uttered mostly by foil-hat wearing conspiracists...
New research suggests ‘beer goggles’ aren’t real
The longstanding belief that drinking alcohol makes other people appear more attractive is a myth, says a new report published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. Not to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’ve ever woken up next to someone you were certain...
The Women’s World Cup kiss shows shameless misogyny is still alive
Controversy continues as the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation resists calls for his resignation after kissing Spain’s star player following their win at the Women’s World Cup. When Spain triumphed over England in the Women’s World Cup final this month, it was unfortunately the action of a single man that became the lasting centre of attention. Spain’s star player, Jenni Hermoso, was preparing for the trophy presentation...
Sha’Carri Richardson becomes the fastest woman in the world
The athlete has proved haters and nay-sayers wrong after winning the 100m at the World Athletic Championships in Budapest. ‘I’m not back, I’m better’. Those were the words of American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson after an explosive win at the women’s 100m final in Budapest. Richardson – with peroxide apricot hair and lashes as long as her encrusted acrylic nails – became somewhat of an overnight sensation in 2021. Her unapologetic on-track style and...
Opinion – Authentic queer representation is still vital
For a community that faces discrimination both online and offline, genuine portrayal of queer joy in shows such as Heartstopper and Red White & Royal Blue deserves to be praised. Given how difficult everyday living is, many of us take to cinema or television to escape. For the queer community, a group often faced with disproportionate hostility, representation on screen can mean more than just a distraction from the real...
British Museum worker sacked over missing items
Reports that a museum employee was sacked over missing items has triggered jibes on social media, as netizens compare the theft with imperialist history of the artefacts themselves. A senior curator at the British Museum has been sacked over missing items. Peter Higgs worked on the museum’s Greek collections, and was dismissed after semi-precious stones and glass dating from the 15th century BC were reported stolen or damaged. Besides the...
