Yesterday marked the end of the 2024 summer Olympic season with the closing ceremony of the Paralympics. As we reflect on an eventful games, being Australia's most successful yet and perhaps most controversial in recent memory; we, your authors, are exploring some of the broader themes in the context of our own experiences.  

For many athletes it was their first time in France, or potentially abroad at all. They would likely have experienced some level of culture shock; from language and fashion to escargot and politics. This left us wondering, can you experience culture shock in your own city?

Whatever your opinion of Taylor Swift, it’s undeniable that she’s an icon. With a net worth of USD$1.1 billion(1), 14 Grammy wins, and numerous chart-topping hits to her name, it’s safe to say that her grip on the music industry, pop culture, and society at large is tightening by the day. This has never been more evident than now, during her Eras tour – a worldwide sensation that has seen sell-out success, controversy (2,3), the collapse of a relationship and the start of another.

On May 2nd, 2023, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) put down their pens and turned off their computers. Instead of writing screenplays and scripts, they wrote placards and took to the streets to protest the behind-the-times pay structure and other labour issues.

Beyond the surface level issues of legality and efficiency, the Robodebt controversy prompts us to ask deeper questions as to the assumptions that underpin technological systems, and the values we implicitly endorse when such schemes are put into action.

Whether it be supply chain hold ups, workforce shortages, cyber hacks or the pallor state of airline travel in Australia, we are being reminded daily of system failure.

The spectre of Big Tobacco has once again reared its ugly head – only this time it’s mango flavoured and shaped like a USB flash drive.