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. Death & life
A composite show a smiling woman next to a small illustrate of someone walking off into the distance.

Do you have a right to be remembered?

Jack Nicholson
Our desire to be in control might not survive our demise.
4min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Easter
A golf clutches his face after winning a competition

Rory McIlroy’s pilgrim’s progress

Graham Tomlin
The golfer’s relief at finally laying his burden down.
4min read
Article
  1. Books
  2. Culture
Children sit in a library listening to a story

We need libraries: they expose our limitations

Jonathan Rowlands
These physical monuments to our own ignorance instil knowledge and humility.
5min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A tapestry depicts a unicorn resting within a fenced enclosure.

Here’s what Death of a Unicorn gets very wrong

Iona Curtius
‘The unicorn was a Christ-allegory’ and other lies.
5min read
Review
  1. Belief
  2. Culture
A family group stand and sit for a photo.

Annie Caldwell: “My family is my band”

Jonathan Evens
A force of nature voice that comes from the soul.
5min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Digital
Tom Cruise gestures with his fingers in an e-glove in front of his face

Data scientists should stop watching Minority Report and start watching The Shawshank Redemption

George Pitcher
A justice ministry’s prejudicial database leaves no room for redemption.
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A bondsman looks to a colleague.

How to do the Devil’s work in modern America

Giles Gough
The Bondsman ‘literal evil’ fits so easily into today.
4min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
Bullet holes on a wall and white paint outlines mark the site of an execution

Is it OK to pray for the death of a dictator?

Simon Burton-Jones
What happens when the mighty lose their thrones.
4min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
Construction worker climb a steel framework.

Abundance and the attempt to build a better world

Josh Richards
Is this policy the antidote to the zero-sum game of politics?
5min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A neon sign depicts a message balloon with a heart symbol and a zero next to it.

The surprising last chapter of a guide to modern romance in crisis

Belle Tindall
Emotive love matters because it points to something truer, deeper, bigger.
5min read
Review
  1. Belief
  2. Culture
A band lounge around.

Mumford & Sons search for meaning

Steve Dew-Jones
Wonder about which love they sing of - earthly or divine.
5min read
Article
  1. Belief
  2. Culture
An actor dressed in an ancient Middle Eastern way is filmed by a large camera.

Hollywood’s streaming hope, here’s why

Nathan Betts
Today’s darker world of turmoil has viewers seeking solace.
4min read