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. America
  2. Culture
An explosion occurs at the Lincoln Memorail

Cutting America to the bone

Chris Wadibia
Civil War warns against worshipping civic and political violence.
5min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Politics
A fierce looking man walks at the head of a phalanx of suited men.

The bullies invoking Jesus as their best buddy

George Pitcher
Trump and Putin's desire to be loved, admired and followed.
4min read
Interview
  1. Culture
  2. Economics
A man talks animatedly looking at the camera while sitting against a wood panelled wall.

Can the economy work for the common good?

Laurence Fletcher
Adrian Pabst on the economic framework that is universal yet particular about people.
5min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A persons stands, holding a net curtain aside to gaze out.

Seen & Unseen Aloud: new episode

Natalie Garrett
The spiritual Scorsese, Beyoncé's country fight, and sharing discomfort.
1min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Music
Side by side, two rodeo riders on horses trot toward the camera. One is Beyonce, the other a cowboy

Beyoncé’s breaking barriers

Krish Kandiah
Cowboy Carter sees the star crack her whip in the temple of the music industry.
6min read
Article
  1. America
  2. Conspiracy theory
A sleeping voter sits and snoozes next to voting booth.

Will America succumb to the undertow?

Jared Stacy
A returning expat asks if an exhausted majority is, in fact, asleep.
5min read
Essay
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A bloody and shocked boxed leans on the ropes

Scorsese’s fusion

Sonny Tindall
The director's whole canon is infused with religion.
5min read
Interview
  1. Art
  2. Culture
Head and shoulders of a speaking man.

How to look at our world: Aaron Rosen interview

Jonathan Evens
In a visual culture how we gaze becomes more important.
11min read
Review
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A Chinese stamp depicts a map of the country from which people march holding a little red book

Remembering red on red

Simon Burton-Jones
The cultural revolution's factions have a disconcertingly contemporary feel.
4min read
Essay
  1. Culture
  2. Freedom of Belief
A black clad pilgrim squats and holds his head on the side of a desert road as other pilgrims walk along.

Inside one of the world's great pilgrimages

Andrew Thompson
Invited to experience Arbaeen, a vicar ponders its perpetual lament.
8min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Eating
A tired-looking chef turns around to look across his shoulder.

We could all benefit from hospitality’s bear hug

Krish Kandiah
In a compelling series, The Bear offers a richer and nuanced redemptive journey.
6min read
Article
  1. AI - Artificial Intelligence
  2. Culture
Two construction workers stand and talk with a humanoid AI colleague.

We’ll learn to live with AI: here’s how

Andrew Briggs
AI might just help us with life’s dilemmas, if we are responsible.
10min read