The slop we deserve
Recent reports heralded an allegedly viral sensation as the fastest growing TikTok account in history. AI Fruit Love Island is an unholy combination of words that describes precisely what it sounds like. A cartoon series based on the Love Island franchise with fruit characters instead of tanned human ones. The
Pretentiousness, taste, and why people were so mad about Wuthering Heights
In the algorithmic era, it is hard to have individual taste. It is hard to even remember what that is. Taste has always been difficult to define; it is inherently subjective and more of an impression than a fact. You can sense when someone has it, whether it is good
Who’s afraid of algorithmic capture?
People often break out online because they do something unexpected. Over time, they tend to become seemingly interchangeable with similar creators or unrecognisable from what originally made them famous. Is it the influence of newfound wealth and status or something about the act of posting online? Audience capture is the
On keeping a notebook (for 20+ years) and reading other people's
I have kept journals for most of my life. Starting with one of these bad boys (still the safest way to keep a secret, once locked you’re never getting back into it) and evolving through a series of notebooks before landing on my current preference: a red Moleskin softcover.
x.com is a nightmare factory – what more will it take for people to leave?
Content warning: this post includes discussions of child abuse material, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and violence against women. If this raises anything for you: * In Australia: call 1800-RESPECT or the Bravehearts support line on 1800 272 831. * In the UK, call 0808 500 2222 or chat here. * In Canada,
In 2026, people are striving to be ‘disgustingly well-read’ – why?
So much of the beauty of reading for me has been its ability to expand my world view. So why are people pitching it as a way to wall yours off? It started with one creator pushing classics with the hook of helping you become ‘disgustingly well-read’. The term irked
My quantified year
I tracked everything I read, watched, and wore this year. This is what it taught me. First, the stats: * 4 films (in cinemas) * 4 documentaries (watched at home, not including anything I put on in the background while unwell because I wasn't really watching it) * 1 TV show
Literary Luddite's guide to Christmas
I hope you're keeping well as we hurtle toward the end of the year. Despite my best efforts, my brain is 404ing as I await surgery tomorrow so there is no article this week. Instead, I've provided an expanded version of my gift guide in case
