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. Books
  2. Culture
Four young people peer through a window.

Never Let Me Go: 20 years on

Beatrice Scudeler
Ishiguro’s brilliant novel is the perfect Frankenstein story for today.
5min read
Review
  1. Art
  2. Culture
In a bombed-out tiled room, two art works hang in the shape of a tiled jacket and shape

Not for glory or galleries, capturing modern wars through art

Alexandra Kytka-Sharpe
Mary Kinmonth documents the battles women artists see.
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Death & life
Two cloned humans stand side by side.

Mickey 17: If we replicate then where does our humanity lie?

Krish Kandiah
Bong Joon-ho has a stark warning about dehumanization.
6min read
Interview
  1. Community
  2. Culture
A speaker, standing in front of a screen, beckons with one hand, holding a mic with the other.

Why we need friendship more than romance

Jack Nicholson
Friendship Lab's founder opens up on opening up.
5min read
Column
  1. Community
  2. Culture
A CGI image of a son and dad holding hands on the concourse of a modern stadium.

I’ll miss football’s disappearing cathedrals

Jonathan Rowlands
Sharing the same physical space as those that go before is a spiritual act.
4min read
Review
  1. Care
  2. Community
On the sidelines of a pitch a well-dressed mum hands a coat to a sceptical looking mum beside her.

Amandaland's portrayal of falling social standing is spot on

Beatrice Scudeler
What happens when motherhood is no longer rich, powerful, and terrifying.
5min read
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