Pokémon and Van Gogh collaboration causes scalping chaos
A recent promotional collaboration between Pokémon and the Van Gogh Museum lead to commotion both online and in person, as scalpers attempted to make a profit from reselling. The Pokémon company has apologised for the chaos that ensued after launching a new collaboration with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. Last...
Current in Culture
Opinion – SSC Napoli proves social media is a powerful weapon
Despite an empty apology from the football club, Osimhen’s racist treatment on TikTok has already done irreversible damage. Victor Osimhen may be the first footballer to sue his own club over social media mistreatment. The 24-year-old threatened legal action against SSC Napoli last week, after the club shared videos mocking Osimhen...
Canada’s blunder is a lesson in the importance of historical literacy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised after the government accidentally honoured a Nazi. ‘Deepest apologies.’ Those were the words of a Canadian parliamentary official following a major gaffe by the country’s political leaders. At a House of Commons meeting last week – attended by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visiting Ukrainian President...
The ‘Future Library’ is humanity’s sustainable literary time capsule
In 2014, a project was set underway to plant one thousand tree saplings in Norway. Their destiny? To be turned into books a century from now, as part of the Future Library project. When you imagine what the world will look like one hundred years from now, you probably...
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...
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 to ‘Burberry Street’ in collaboration with the fashion house of the same name. Complaints were sent to TfL by travellers who...
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 seriously as a rap artist by RCA Records, Doja Cat captured her label’s attention in 2019 with a project...
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 in the Deep South or Nevada, we’re increasingly hearing them discussed in an official capacity. The floodgates for acceptable ‘alien talk’...
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 was cuter at the bar the night before – you can’t blame it on the alcohol. At least not according to...
