Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Article
  1. Culture
  2. Digital
An animated man runs through a jungle.

What my film about the prodigal son really means

Emily Downe
Our relentless focus on productivity devalues the things that make us human
7min read
Article
  1. Art
  2. Culture
An actor reads a speech at a commemoration

Forgotten soldiers and new narratives are shaping how we mark our wars

Susan Gray
Writing our history of conflict is as much a war of images as of words.
5min read
Review
  1. Attention
  2. Books
A phone shows a picture of the real view behind it.

Only the rich will experience reality

Simon Burton-Jones
We’re extinguishing our real world
3min read
Column
  1. Books
  2. Character
A jumbled pile of old photographs.

The true myths we tell about how we got here

George Pitcher
Memoirs are the stories that make us who we are
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
Two women in a composite image.

The Four Seasons and Dying for Sex hunt all of life for meaning

Giles Gough
The TV shows joining academics exploring what it means to flourish
5min read
Article
  1. Character
  2. Culture
Tom Cruise runs.

Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt offers a blueprint for life

Krish Kandiah
The latest in the Mission:Impossible franchise dares to ask some surprisingly existential questions
6min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
Studio executive's react.

The death of Hollywood

Theodore Brun
Out of the ashes, new stories will rise
5min read
Review
  1. Addiction
  2. Culture
Beyonce marches along a stage catwalk as photographers stare from below.

The idolatry of Beyoncé: her tour hits town with eight golden calves in tow

Lauren Windle
We all desire to be perceived as more talented, confident and beautiful.
5min read
Review
  1. Art
  2. Character
A split wooden sculpted head stands in an exhibition.

Inside the minds of Siena’s finest artists

Susan Gray
To exhibit art from a golden age, it first needs to survive.
5min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A book cover with a handwritten title that reads: Jane Austen volume the first

Jane Austen‘s most excellent fan club

Beatrice Scudeler
The very fine authors who draw inspiration from Jane.
6min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A pensive looking woman glances to the side.

This bad TV version of The Last of Us ruins much more than storytelling

Jonathan Rowlands
Following up the acclaimed video game doesn't deliver prestige viewing.
5min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Generosity
Two small lifeboats raft together on a river rescue.

We need to rescue volunteering

Julia Kendal
Our use of the word now reflects unwanted obligations, rather than a deep desire to serve.
6min read