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.

Essay
  1. Culture
  2. Doubt
Two people sit and stand next to a grand piano on a stage.

What happens when perfect plans are outsmarted by the world?

Roger Bretherton
There may be delight hiding in the doom.
9min read
Article
  1. Community
  2. Culture
A montage shows Elon Musk wielding a chain saw, Jane Fonda flexing her muscles and Hannah Arendt smoking.

Is empathy really a weapon?

Henna Cundill
Musk and Fonda disagree on whether empathy is a bug or a feature.
7min read
Review
  1. Character
  2. Culture
A black and white photo of a woman about to open her mouth to sing.

Lady Gaga’s battle for authenticity

Jamie Mulvaney
A new album, and interviews, reveal her progress.
4min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Nationalism
A statue of a 18th century man holding a pen and a book.

What Tom Paine really said about globalism and religion

George Pitcher
We can’t live without homelands, but we need to be generous with them.
4min read
Column
  1. Books
  2. Culture
A small white space capsule orbits around the earth.

Magnificent or mundane: how do you react to the overview effect?

Jonathan Rowlands
Creators of a book, an album and a game, can’t agree.
6min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A woman, wearing 70s clothing, stands, looking apprehensive.

I’m Still Here is a celebration of Brazilian resilience

Matt Lewis
The Brazilian Oscar winner is an act of remembrance.
6min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A father walks with his son away from the camera, his hand on his son's shoulder.

Adolescence reflects our darkest corners, here's how we can respond

Lauren Westwood
Each one-take episode is an exercise in empathy.
4min read
Snippet
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A worried looking adolescent boy slumped in a chair looks up.

Can we ever understand the ‘whydunnit’ of Adolescence?

Josh Richards
An acclaimed Netflix series convicts the viewer.
2min read
Article
  1. Culture
  2. Feminism
In a still from Wicked, the witch stands and looks to the sunset.

Why are we so bewitched by witches?

Belle Tindall
We’re so post-Christian, we’re actually becoming pre-Christian.
6min read
Column
  1. Culture
  2. Justice
A classical court house with a statue on top of a dome.

Do victim statements offer up drama or justice?

George Pitcher
Recent tragic cases highlight the changing audience for impact statements.
4min read
Article
  1. Culture
Julie Canlis, Graham Tomlin and NT Wright as part of our Lent recommended reading

Easter and Lent with Seen & Unseen

Nick Jones
Explore our Editor’s top picks ahead of Holy Week
1min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Eating
A woman stands at a kitchen island with a chopping board on it.

The hidden messages in Meghan Markle’s new Netflix show

Jessica Norman
How With Love, Meghan taps into ancient rituals
3min read