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i’d say it’s getting wild, but i think this is only beginning
Rain, sunshine, sleet, or snow… nothing can stop me from delivering a juicy newsletter to your inbox each Tuesday. ☃️
I awoke to abnormally loud rain tapping on my window this morning, and come to find out, the UK has been hit by a huge snow/ice storm overnight. If you’re based around here, do as I do and grab a hot drink before getting into this edition. If you’re based somewhere warmer… consider yourself lucky!
Today we’re exploring the newly sparked conversation regarding age-gap relationships, influencers suddenly outing themselves as Trump supporters, and the new trend coming for Gen Z’s closets. But don’t be silly, that’s not all there is!
Let’s lock in ❤️🔥
♥️ Culture + society
Why are age gap relationships everywhere now? – dazed digital
Netflix’s wildly popular series Rivals and Sally Rooney’s new novel Intermezzo each spotlight age-gap relationships. A positive portrayal of this dynamic is new for audiences adapted to rules shaped by the post-MeToo era.
In the age of dating apps, cancel culture, and social media policing, could the resurgence of age-gap relationships in mainstream media signal a rebellion against dating as a ‘clinical box-ticking exercise, where everybody only ever wants what’s good for them’? Hmmm… much to think about.
Influencers are going full MAGA – the cut
Ahead of the US election, European influencers had their photos stolen and used to push MAGA propaganda on fake Twitter/X accounts. Now, popular lifestyle influencers are revealing their support for Trump, with concerns that their political views could negatively impact ‘brand safety’ and sponsorship deals disappearing.
The growth of conservative-leaning platforms, Elon Musk’s Twitter/X acquisition, and a fast-moving culture that makes getting ‘cancelled’ virtually meaningless has built safety net for right-wing proponents. It’s clear: a new era is beginning. Or is this the same era as 2016? Whatever, this version of déjà vu sucks.
🍭 Fashion + trends
Gen Z want ‘chaotic customisation’ in 2025. Can brands tap in? – vogue business
The surging popularity of phone charms, bag charms, and shoe charms signals Gen Z’s affinity for transforming their on-trend garments into something a bit more individual. Unlike other fashion trends of the moment, ‘chaotic customisation’ is a maximalist, DIY process that involves using jewels, patches, and charms to put a unique spin on widely available fashion items.
If brands want to keep up, Vogue suggests they abstain from creating entirely new collections and instead focus on building a set of limited edition collectables. Oh, and don’t forget to make use of sustainable materials and engage consumers in the design process.
The least thoughtful holiday present you should definitely give – vox
Whenever the holiday season rolls around, it can be a mad scramble to scoop up gifts that say ‘I know you and (more importantly) I know what you like’ to the people you hold dearest in life. But what if we just sidestepped that part of the process altogether?
After all, isn’t the best gift… the one money itself can buy? This article explores the very real negative stigma around gifting people cash money and why we should be shifting our perspectives – especially in a world that’s never been more expensive to survive in. Forget the bath soap set… I’ll take the dolla dolla bill ya’ll.
💬 Tech talk
Why the world hasn’t fully adopted digital voting – thred.
In a society dominated by technological devices, one would expect that we’d be able to vote for our preferred political candidate on our phones whenever election season rolled around. This would make it easier for individuals facing physical, geographical, or disability barriers to participate in elections, yet, many countries remain hesitant to consider digital voting systems.
For now, concerns related to security, accessibility, and trust stand in the way – but will privacy tech ever be strong enough to make digital voting a reality?
Two upstart search engines are teaming up to take on Google – wired
It’s no secret that Google has had a monopoly on the internet as everyone’s favourite search engine for the better part of two decades. That said, new data privacy laws and the emergence of Generative AI capabilities have given search engines like Ecosia and Qwant an opportunity to steal the throne.
The Berlin-based company Ecosia (which donates its profits to tree planting!!!) and its Paris-based competitor Qwant have annouced that they will team up to develop an index of the web, though they acknowledge that competing with Google will be no easy task. Is it realistic to think Google’s crown could ever be snatched?
🌏 Our world
Everything about climate change may seem grim. It isn’t – the economist
This article is pretty much essential reading this month, given that COP29 has been a massive flop and an anti-environmental US president has been elected. It reminds us that “global temperature[s] and global emissions do not respond to shifts in administration in single countries. All remains as it is.” Aaaaaaand exhale.
It’s true that economic modelling has routinely underestimated the rate at which renewable energy technologies can get cheaper, which they are. Yes, poorer nations will lag behind in switching to clean energy, but high-emitting rich nations are progressing well in this area. A balm for our ears and eyeballs, the author writes: “Emissions can and will fall. And the fatalistic sense that nothing can change must itself be changed.”
42,000 crowd New Zealand’s Parliament grounds in support of Māori rights – npr
You may have seen the viral video of Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke devliering a jaw-dropping Haka performance during a recent parliament meeting in New Zealand. Her party members joined in, aiming to disrupt the vote on a contentious bill that would re-interpreting an 184-year-old treaty between the British and Indigenous Māori.
Protestors said changing the meaning of the bill would dilute the history of the agreement, which was signed by Māori tribal chiefs and stood to protect Indigenous rights. In recent days, tens of thousands of Kiwi citizens joined public protests in solidarity, making what is likely to be the country’s largest-ever protest in support of Māori rights.
👀 Recommendation
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady is a must-read for anyone curious to learn more about what is it like to navigate life as an undiagnosed neurodivergent person (more specifically, as an autistic woman).
This exceptionally written, hilarious, and eye-opening autobiography will take you on an adventure. If you still need convincing, check out the book description below.
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