Why trend decks are the biggest lie in advertising
If the answer was 'the metaverse' or 'NFTs', or 'a Labubu', then the question was likely about spotting a trend. Capitalism - and therefore advertising - loves them. But they're not always trends, and they're rarely the correct answer. Former futurologist Amy Kean looks at why being 'on trend' can often mean your advertising is off target.
When did everybody become so stupid?
As the UK becomes an idiocracy, with anti-immigration rhetoric gaining traction and AI-generated news being treated as real, our culture editor Amy Kean wonders, ahead of her talk at this year's shots Out of the Box event in London which will cover a similar theme, whether we're more gullible than ever, or just dodging reality completely?
“I’ve been white womanned”; is internalised misogyny fuelling a worrying wave of social media imitation?
While the saying might go that 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery', that doesn't always hold true, especially if your livelihood depends on a degree of originality. So, asks Amy Kean, why do some women feel it's ok to steal another woman's idea?
The ad industry doesn't care about DEI (and it's getting harder to pretend it does)
What if you were invited to a party but, on arrival, were ignored, then told not to eat the food, or dance to the music? Your seemingly friendly, initially welcoming host sounded like one thing, but turned out to be another. But, says Amy Kean, isn't that a bit like advertising? It might say it wants you to come, might even put together an initiative to encourage your attendance, but its inaction speaks louder than words.
The real reason women use the word 'just' 100 times in every email
In 2024, when mainstream feminism seems to be focused on shiny memes and Katy Perry’s hypocritical empowerment songs, Amy Kean asks: what’s really holding us back? When women still feel the need to soften themselves, mind their language and play nice, should we be looking closer to home to fix the issues?
Why can’t we let famous women be creative geniuses instead of tragedies?
'Sex sells', the old adage goes, but so too does death, especially when it involves a famous woman. And a famous female death is, so far as the tabloids are concerned, simply a final, tragic curtain call to a life of drama, sadness, flaws and desperation. But, says Amy Kean, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse, Sylvia Plath, Judy Garland... they were geniuses, and should be remembered as such.
When parents are smashing eggs on their kids’ faces, is it time for a digital reckoning?
Social media has hit 'Peak Wicked', and when parents are inflicting low level violence on their kids for laughs, it's time to reset. In fact, it's time to get Old Testament, says Amy Kean. But if we can't rely on God to sweep away humanity's detritus, we'll have to take it upon ourselves.
Why Britney Spears is ‘manic’ again, and the rise of weaponised pop psychology
From Princess Diana to Britney Spears, a woman in pain or dubbed 'tortured' by others, is one of societies favourite kinks. But, despite more supposed understanding of mental health issues, our love of pop psychology and self-diagnosis has become an addiction, one that's dangerously out of control, says Amy Kean.
The subtle damage of not giving a f*ck: how workplace bystanders are enabling bad behaviour
Speaking up can be hard, but is that why people are reluctant to do it, or do they just not care? Amy Kean examines whether a Richter scale for social issues would encourage us to make a stand.
“Positive vibes only!” Why tone policing can get in the f*cking bin
"Watch your tone, young lady!" It's what you might say to a cheeky toddler but, too often, the tentacles of the tone police are spreading into grown up conversation and debate. Amy Kean explores, via the British monarchy, business interactions and 1986 movie classic Labyrinth, how the over-policing of conversation is becoming an emergency situation.
Weird Seance summons… Lynne Parker
Despite the wealth of brilliant female comedians - think Katherine Ryan, Sara Pascoe, Jo Brand - many still think 'women aren't funny'. Lynne Parker [fourth from right], is the founder of Funny Women and a champion of female comedians. She talks to Amy Kean about why so many men (and too many women) think females aren't funny, the creativity of comedy, and her ongoing mission.
The war on girls: why can’t society take young women seriously?
In the battle of the sexes young girls are becoming the cannon fodder. Amy Kean examines why such an important part of our future is maligned and mistreated, their voices too often missing from the conversation and their fates decided by old men.