This lake in Argentina has turned bright pink
A lagoon in Argentina’s southern Patagonia region has turned an alarming pink colour, reportedly due to pollution caused by a chemical intended to preserve prawns. Forget the Red Sea, it’s all about the pink sea these days. At least, that’s the current situation in Argentina, where an entire lagoon has...
Current in Culture
Opinion – Britney is a pop idol turned women’s rights icon
Some might say this headline is a stretch, but it’s undeniable that Britney’s conservatorship case has shed light on two very important topics. You may have noticed #FreeBritney trending numerous times across social media in the last year. Even if social media isn’t your thing, you’ve likely stumbled upon a...
Euros 2020 final confirms racism is very much alive in UK
Several players from England's national football team are being bombarded with racial abuse after a difficult loss at Wembley Stadium. On Sunday night, 31 million people watched from across the nation as the winner of the Euro 2020 final was decided in a penalty shootout. Within minutes of England’s loss, racist...
Opinion – media still has a problem with authentic representation
Modern media is struggling to properly represent the LGBTQ+ and LatinX communities in both film and television. In an increasingly diverse society, how is the genuine portrayal of important groups still causing problems for pop culture?
The UK has steadily become more diverse over the last few decades, with
UK industry group calls for carbon assessments before all new builds
In a bid to address the construction industry’s growing carbon footprint, a group of UK architects, developers, and contractors have called for compulsory emission assessments before all future builds. Though most of us are now savvier to the inner workings of industries and how they affect climate change, thousands walk...
Festivals are making an eco-friendly comeback
After a difficult 2020, music festivals are beginning to make a comeback – and they’re bringing a new, greener approach. Many music lovers are desperate to return to live performances now lockdowns are lifting. Although some festivals must wait until 2022, this summer promises the likes of Reading and Leeds,...
Scientists call for global ban on virgin plastics by 2040
Plastic production has increased rapidly over the last sixty years, finding a permanent home in our oceans. Biologists say the only way out is to halt its use completely. The convenience, cleanliness, and cost-effective production of plastic is what lead to a widespread demand for the material. Paradoxically, plastic has caused a massive inconvenience for us today (understatement of the year), by littering our environments and sparking costly research and design...
The artists taking on Middle Eastern censorship
Much of the Middle East has suffered from a lack of freedom of expression for years. But a new wave of artists are using images and sound to challenge censorship. ‘Fireworks can seem like bombs to some people,’ says Simon Coates, founder of Tse Tse Fly Middle East (TTFME). He’s been told in the past that his work can sometimes be too aggressive. But he doesn’t mind that. Artists in...
New Spotify report says streaming improves Gen Z wellbeing
87% of millennials and 77% of Gen Z say they use audio to reduce stress levels and four in five say they view streaming as a ‘mental health resource’. Ever had a bad day and turned to your favourite album or podcast as a coping mechanism? Do you obsess over one particular album to get you through periods of anxiety or boredom? If you too listen to Tickets To My...
Black TikTok creators on strike points to a wider cultural issue
The app’s most famous dances have come from Black creators who rarely receive recognition for their creativity. To prove a point, they’ve stopped posting content. Megan Thee Stallion’s new single, ‘Thot Shit’, is a track that sounds like it was manufactured for TikTok choreography. Yet, two weeks after its release, a viral dance on the platform has yet to emerge. The creatively underwhelming clips attached to the song’s audio on TikTok...
