Art & Culture
A Brief Look into Gender and Body
It is through a deconstruction of norms that we understand that we are born only with a distinct biological sex, and that gender seems to be a socially constructed concept imposed onto the sexes for the sake of a binary system.
Mahjong AI: The Next Level
Computers have surpassed humanity in many games like Chess. Mahjong is a very different game, which means making an AI play it optimally is a unique challenge. But in doing so, the scope of AI could change drastically.
Ikigai: 4 Lessons on the Japanese Philosophy of Long and Happy Life
The secret to living until 100 years old is a relatively unknown way of living life that underpins every aspect of Japan’s culture. It’s also what enables the Japanese to be amongst the happiest, healthiest and most productive people in the world.
Ekushe February: Bangladesh’s fight for its mother-tongue
Language is power. It’s divided humans for millennia and in Bangladesh, blood has been spilt for the right to speak their mother-tongue, an event which has irrevocably changed the country. Ekushe February.
A traveller’s guide around London tube stations
“The veins of the heart that can take you from one point to another”. The Underground (and there TFL in general) has allowed London to grow, helped commuters to commute and has become one of the main icons in London. But what is so fascinating about the tube?
A World of Englishes?: The Effects of the Global Spreading of a Language
English is being moulded by and for its users around the world as it globalises, but could this result in a different English a hundred years from now? And should this be considered a problem?
The Blurry Future of World Heritage
Beyond being divided between its cultural and lucrative aspect, our World Heritage sites are facing diverse threats that can jeopardise its existence.
What if Hitler Had Won?
A world under the reign of Hitler is one that is almost unimaginable, but at parts during WW2, this was a real possibility. But, what if the war was won by the Axis- how could the world have been like amongst this “uncertainty and tyranny”?
Do People Mean Everything They Say?
In a world woven from words with connections created through conversation, how much of what we hear and say is actually meant? And are we stifling our authenticity for the sake of “saving face”?
Dropping the Pretense about Women’s Representation
Our society has been conditioned to treat our women as less worthy than the men. That is shamelessly flagrant in the way we showcase them.
Black History Month: Time For Change
It is time to change our approach to Black History Month in the UK. Black history should not just be viewed or explored from the American gaze. We must ensure that a light is shone on the history of Black people in Britain and commonwealth countries too.
Why Does History Matter?
Understanding the past is extremely beneficial because it allows a constant reflection of our actions as individuals, societies, and inhabitants of this planet – and offers a guide as to how we should and should not act. The field of history allows critical insights into understanding the complexities and nuances of the world. It offers the skill of critical analysis and evaluation, since historians have to reach a judgement as to what is the most plausible justification. History is a subject that can be overlooked because of its concern with the past but its relevance is something that should be appreciated greatly.
The Change of Cities at Core
The world is constantly changing, sometimes we can only see the change after it is made. However, in regards to cities, there are some aspects that we can look through and visualize the future that is waiting for us.
Loot Boxes and Gambling
Loot boxes are a prevalent mechanic in video games and have been compared to gambling in the past. So how have countries approached this debate and are these attitudes reflected in their legislation?
Orientalism: The Western Blindspot
Edward Said stresses that we must unlearn the cultural dominative mode that is Orientalism. How does Skyfall perpetuate Western views of the East? By shedding light on the Orientalist gaze, we reveal the blindspot Western literature & media raised us with.
Our Search for Meaning
When we are faced with a prolonged period of idleness, it is inevitable that we begin to question the very foundations of our belief systems. In this article, we delve into trying to answer these age old conundrums.
Post-colonial Africa: A failure of Leadership
There’s an endemic deficiency on the African continent; leadership- or lack thereof. Through the tenures of Banda, Nkrumah and Nyerere, we can better understand the common themes that perpetuate and encourage poor governance.
Ableist Tropes in Media that Need to be Retired (and why they became so common)
It’s no secret that disability representation is lacking, but why are so many disabled characters bad examples of real disabled people? And how do some of them actively harm the community they represent? The answer may come through dissecting ableist tropes.
Four Waves of Southeast Asia: Forming the most diverse region in the world
Dubbed the “Balkans of the Orient” by British historian C.A Fisher, Southeast Asia is probably the most diverse corner of the world. But just how did such a ‘Balkanised’ region of the world succeed in achieving such peace and prosperity?
Can Wabi-Sabi offer an antidote to mass consumption and perfectionism?
What if perfection was not the requirement, but in fact undesirable? Instead we place our focus on the intrinsic and shift away from the material. The Japanese ideology of Wabi Sabi, a philosophy of life, can provide some insight. Wabi Sabi embraces and promotes imperfection, authenticity and transience. It teaches its adherents to be comfortable with ambiguities.
Feminine strokes: the struggles of female artists
Brush strokes have no gender, so why are female artists paid so little and held to much higher standards compared to men? Find out why gender plays such an important role in the art scene of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Made in Laos, written in Thailand, born in England- Colin Cotterill’s Dr Siri Paiboun’s series
“His skills were obtained during his degree level studies in France and despite seeing the wealth of France, he decided to go back to Laos and help his nation“. An interesting review on the Dr. Siri Paiboun series by Colin Cotterill.