deep dives + flashing lights

a twist on the usual

Hello pumpkin!

I don’t know about you, but I can hardly believe it’s newsletter day again. September – everybody’s favourite month – is flying by.

Lucky for us, there’s a bunch of juicy snippets to serve up in this newsletter, which will be a little different content-wise from previous editions.

We’ll explore a couple excellent Substacks, some exciting developments taking place in European cities, and galleries containing captivating images you won’t want to miss. Let’s go! 💫

💭 A deep dive

Gen Z has regrets – nyt opinion.

It’s no secret that social media platforms are causing us problems. Surveying more than 1,000 members of Gen Z, the NYT uncovered just how many young people wish these platforms never existed. The results were shocking: Instagram (34 percent), Facebook (37 percent), Snapchat (43 percent), TikTok (47 percent) and X/Twitter (50 percent). Despite this, respondents admitted to spending between 4 and 8 hours on these platforms. With social media unlikely to go away, and their addictiveness woven into their design, when will these platforms be made safer for young people?

Home is where the hurt is – feminist giant / substack.

I won’t even try to mimic how good this essay is, you should just read it. Mona Eltahawy describes how the domestic habitat – a ‘safe’ place typically cared for and upkept by the woman – is often the place she most in danger. Using two recent, high profile cases of femicide and marital abuse spanning a decade to illustrate her point, Eltahawy reminds us that such experiences are lived by too many women around the world. She argues that until society recognises that the patriarchy serves to protect men who perpetrate violence against women – they are not terrifying demonic creatures, but often the ‘totally normal’ guy next door – we will not be able to adequately tackle gender-based violence.

🏙️ Life in the city

London’s Oxford Street could be pedestrianised by 2027 – guardian.

London’s busiest shopping street has changed drastically over the last decade, with most locals avoiding it like the plague unless they have no other choice. In attempts to return the traffic ridden, overcrowded street into an area that’s enjoyable to visit, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to pedestrianise the entire road, likely within three years. He’s been given power to overrule the Westminster council, which blocked previous plans to do so. FINALLY! Soho next, please.

Dutch city bans advertisements for fossil fuels + high carbon activities –  thred.

A first-of-its-kind legislation has been passed in The Hague, banning fossil fuel companies from advertising their products and services in the city. The bill, passed last Thursday, will also disallow ads promoting high carbon activities, including aviation and cruise ship sectors. Think about it: if tobacco companies were banned from advertising products that harm human health, why shouldn’t we ban adverts by businesses threaten all life on Earth? It’s a good move, if you ask me.

📸 Caught in 4K

In photos: Ghana’s toxic e-waste industry – huck.

Each year, Ghana imports around 150,000 tonnes of e-waste into the country, usually from the USA and Europe. Locals extract the materials to turn them into something new (a dangerous business) or are forced to burn the devices (releasing tons of pollution into the air) . Through a new exhibition Ghana: Following our e-waste, Ghanain photographer Muntaka Chasant is exposing the complexities of the industry – both its corruption and innovation. The series of powerful images draw attention to the illegal flows of e-waste travelling in and out of Accra’s ports, as the government continues to turn a blind eye. Its sister exhibition is also currently on show at the Foundation Manuel Rivera-Ortiz in Arles, France.

In photos: 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year winners – smithsonian.

The winners of the 2024 Ocean Photographer of the Year competition have been announced. Each one of the images capture incredible animal behaviours, hidden ecosystems, ocean pollution, the struggle for conservation, and more. Anyone who loves marine life or photography in general will be mesmerised by the finalists, runner-ups, and contributions submitted to Oceanographic magazine.

📚 Recommendation

A Long Walk to Water tells the stories of a boy and girl growing up in South Sudan where political tensions are erupting, and clean water is scarce. The story of the boy – Salvia – is a true story, one of resilience in the face of war and separation from his family. It’s a short book, just 121 pages, but will grip you from start to finish.

Thanks for reading and make sure to subscribe for the latest news on Gen Z and youth culture. Also, don’t forget to check out The Gen Zer for a weekly roundup of more trending insights, stories, and discussions.