2023’s Oscar nominations fail to make meaningful progress
No Black actors were nominated for leading categories this year. Once again, they deserved better. When the 2022 Oscar nominations were announced, Black actors and directors ruled the roost. It was a comforting – and deserved – outcome after years of ‘#oscarssowhite’ protest, a nod to the academy’s consistent failings in...
Current in Culture
A deep dive into KSI and Logan Paul’s PRIME
Logan Paul and KSI’s new drinks company became a success as soon as it hit UK stores. Is it really worth the hype, and how authentically involved are KSI and Logan? When Logan Paul and KSI announced they were collaborating to produce a hydration drink, fans were overjoyed to...
Opinion – Tate’s privacy ruling shows the rich can spoil everything
Residents of luxury glass-walled flats opposite Tate Modern’s public viewing platform have won a landmark ruling that their privacy is being impinged upon. It seems the rich have power to shape even our most public spaces. In 2021, affluent neighbours of the Tate Modern decided that the glass-walled luxury flats...
Opinion – Sam Smith reaction proves androgyny is selective
‘No fat people’ is a comment I have often seen on Grindr profiles plastered in their bios as if some shining medal of glory - fatphobia inside the queer community is not uncommon. Sam Smith's new music video is a victim of the same. It was never easy to proudly...
Disney’s Splash Mountain closes amidst controversy
Disney’s world-famous water ride ‘Splash Mountain’ closed its doors for the last time this week. Its racist provenance highlights a disillusioned generation of ‘Disney Adults’ with much to complain about. Splash Mountain has remained one of the most popular and famous rides at Walt Disney World in Florida since it...
How to be more sustainable this Valentine’s Day
The 14th of February, while a celebration of romance, brings a great deal of environmental concern. In efforts to tackle climate change, learn how you can make eco-friendly and sustainable choices this year. Valentine’s Day is, for the most part, synonymous with compassion and endearment. However, its focus on...
These shoes are made from upcycled sex toys
Finding fresh ways to use old materials will be the challenge that defines our generation. We need to drastically reduce the constant production of virgin plastics and polymers, especially in fashion, which is why one sustainable clothing brand started turning sex toys into shoes. When it comes to upcycling in order to get closer to our sustainable living goals, no material can be off-limits. That includes materials previously used to make...
Copenhagen’s eco-village meets all 17 Sustainable Development Goals
An eco-village under construction in Copenhagen is redefining what sustainability means within architecture. Instead of focusing on purely renewable energy or green building materials, it consciously addresses all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. South of the city centre in Copenhagen, a residential area called Ørestad is being constructed and it may just become the most sustainable neighbourhood on the planet. While it wouldn’t be the first village constructed with...
New York’s notorious prison could be transformed into a green hub
The local council has planned to close New York’s most notorious prison by 2027. In efforts to decarbonise the state, designers have put forward ideas to turn Riker’s Island into a green energy hub. Over the years, Riker’s Island – a 400-acre piece of land located between the Bronx and Queens – has gained a reputation for being home to one of the world’s most brutal prisons. Most people know about...
Should banning phones at live shows become the norm?
Artists and comedians are using new technology to prevent fans from video-recording at concerts. Aside from keeping the performance exclusive to ticket-buyers, the goal is to encourage attendees to enjoy the moment without distraction – but is it a good idea? Going to a live show is a privilege, not just because it can cost upwards of £100, but because actually securing a ticket is difficult when the demand and...
