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.

Review
  1. Belief
  2. Culture
A singer holding a guitar raises his head with closed eyes.

Is Alex Warren singing a love song, or a worship song?

Ed Chan-Stroud
Ordinary's lyrics speak to a fundamental human desire, even when we don’t realise.
3min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
Four characters from a film loop warily to the side.

The C-list villains reviving Marvel's Cinematic Universe

Giles Gough
A thunderbolt of sincerity shows the franchise can still thrill.
5min read
Article
  1. Attention
  2. Culture
A woman looks at her phone, behind her is a montage of memes

Meet London’s newest theologian – the Real Housewives of Clapton

Isaiah Morris
The starter kits that kick-start the study of our souls.
5min read
Review
  1. Addiction
  2. Community
A montage of a grown-up family.

This City is Ours – truth and lies about the global drugs trade

Henry Corbett
The drug-dealing family drama reflects the impact of the drugs world.
4min read
Article
  1. Care
  2. Culture
Two bird sit on wires facing in opposite directions.

Separating mind and body still stigmatises mental health

Rachael Newham
Our minds and bodies are meant to be inseparable.
3min read
Review
  1. Art
  2. Care
A painting of a haunted looking old man dressed in an imagined military uniform.

Mental health: the art that move us from ostracism to empathy

Susan Gray
Four current London exhibitions show the move towards compassion.
5min read
Article
  1. Attention
  2. Culture
A celebrity wears a highly stylised cuboid suit to the Met Gala.

Here’s to the Met Gala, and to those who weren’t there

Belle Tindall
We’re teaching ourselves that if we’re void of attention, we’re void of significance.
5min read
Explainer
  1. Belief
  2. Culture
An Anglican bishop wearing purple shakes hands with the Pope.

Why does the Pope matter today?

Graham Tomlin
The personal, vivid link to the origins of the movement that changed the world.
4min read
Article
  1. AI
  2. Culture
A couple crouch together on a beach in a Studio Ghibli style image.

Is AI animation really harmless fun?

Callum Elwood
Toying around with AI trinkets just feeds our shadows.
6min read
Article
  1. Character
  2. Culture
A dejected football coach squats by the byline.

What happens if your club doesn’t win?

Henry Corbett
In football leagues and life not all of us can be winners.
3min read
Review
  1. Comedy
  2. Culture
A montage shows a group of comedians trying not to laugh.

Last One Laughing: we’re less in control than we think

Jonny Torrance
"Humour is human" and deeply strange.
4min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Economics
A montage shows Trump with a raised fist against other images of him and the phrase 'fight fight fight'.

The rights and wrongs of making money with meme coins

Laurence Fletcher
When does investing become speculating, or even addictive gambling?
6min read