If you’ve ever been to a rest stop off a United States highway, you’ve probably seen a Zoltar machine. Here’s the story behind this strange phenomenon.
Culture
Drag in Media: A Brief (But Fab) History
Drag seems to be everywhere from RuPaul’s Drag Race to the latest unhinged senate bill, but it wasn’t always this way. Here’s a brief history of drag in media.
Succession IRL: Who Are the Powerful Families Based On?
If the families in Succession seem familiar, it’s because they’re inspired by these real life dynasties in media.
The Problem With the Strong Female Protagonist and Why It’s Time We Grow Past Her
The strong female protagonist was a good step in the right direction, but what ‘strong’ means for her reflects very little of what it’s like to be a woman.
Why Every Tongue That Rises Against Taylor Swift Shall Fall: 3 Clear Examples
Love her or hate her, you can’t deny that when people come for Taylor out of nowhere, she tends to come out on top — singing karma is her boyfriend, a god, and so on.
Best TED Talks on Creativity That Will Spark Your Imagination
TED Talks are a great resource for gathering information and hearing stories from diverse communities. Here are four TED Talks to inspire your creativity.
7 Reasons You Should Definitely Not Idolize the Liver King
The Liver King is a massive social media figure selling an ancestral lifestyle. But here’s why you definitely shouldn’t idolize him.
5 Children’s Books Encouraging Young Activists
Children’s books authors are working to inspire children to be activists, even at their young age. Here are 5 books working to do so.
What Is Comphet? Everything You Need to Know
Compulsory heterosexuality or comphet describes the pressure to conform to gender and sexuality norms. Here are the quiet ways it harms queer women.
5 Drag Houses that Competed on RuPaul’s Drag Race
Originating in ballroom culture, a drag house is a drag queen’s chosen family, many of which have been represented on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
15 Black Filmmakers With Upcoming Projects in 2023-2024
From biopics to horror comedies to science fiction blockbusters, here are the upcoming projects from Black filmmakers we’re most excited for.
TikTok De-Influencers: What, Why, and What Next
Social media feels like wading through an endless sea of product recommendations, even from the influencers we used to think were more trustworthy than traditional celebs.
Decade by Decade: Black Women Musicians, Activists Alike
For years black women have been fighting against racism and sexism. These women are also musicians, using their lyrics to influence change.
The Male Gaze: What It Is, and What TikTok Often Gets Wrong
The ‘male gaze’ has a long history in art and philosophy. To know what it actually means, let’s start with understanding what gaze is in the first place.
5 Celebrity-Hosted Podcasts That Are Worth Listening To
Celebrity-hosted podcasts give us a glimpse of what our favorite celebs are like when they’re not in front of the camera with the added bonus of in-depth interviews.
Review Bombing: What Drives This Toxic Internet Phenomenon?
The internet can be a cruel place and review bombing is just one of the many proofs of that.
7 Things to Do in Manila
Manila is a chaotic city with vibrant energy. While the Philippines may be best known for its beaches, there’s still a lot to do in the capital.
How M3gan the Killer Robot Doll Turned Into A Queer Icon Overnight
If there’s one word that can describe M3gan, the eponymous character in the 2023 horror comedy, it’s fierce. Find out why she’s beloved by the queer community.
11 Celebrities You Might Not Know Passed Away in 2022
We lost a lot of public figures in 2022. Here’s a quick list of 11 celebrities that passed away in 2022 that you may have missed with everything going on..
The Horror of Conformity
Group cohesion and cooperation require that everyone be on the same page, so to speak. But what could go wrong if you just conform without thinking about it?
7 New Year’s Eve Ideas That Don’t Involve Going Out
Don’t want to go to a club on New Year’s Eve? Here are 7 ideas for things you can do to celebrate from the comfort of your own home.
7 New Year’s Traditions From Around the World
New year’s traditions vary from country to country. Here are some of our favorite celebrations.
The Not So Merry Stories Behind Popular Christmas Carols
Christmas carols are meant to spread cheer and good spirits during the holidays — but some of them were inspired by dark events.
From Ours to Yours: The History of the Christmas Card and Why It’s Here to Stay (For Now)
The Christmas card was meant to save time while allowing its sender to maintain social customs around letter-writing and visitation. As our social and technological norms evolve, so too does the Christmas card.