ADOLESCENCE - THE SERIES EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT - TOUCHES ON A COLLECTIVE TABOO

We talk about regulation, introduce screen time limits and digital literacy — yet we have little idea of the online currents and voices shaping children’s everyday lives.

March 8 has long been a day for reflecting on progress toward equality. However, more than ever, it is about the politics of free speech. On February 5, 2025, the U.S. Attorney General issued a memorandum in response to Executive Order 14173, signed by President Trump on January 21, 2025. The executive order declares that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) initiatives violate federal civil rights laws and undermine national unity. Citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the memorandum asserts that eliminating racial and gender-based preferences is essential for achieving equality.

To enforce this directive, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate and penalize DEI and DEIA policies in private companies and educational institutions receiving federal funds. The Civil Rights Division and the Office of Legal Policy must submit a report by March 1, 2025, detailing enforcement strategies, including targeted investigations and potential legal actions. The memorandum also clarifies that institutions receiving federal funds may not implement race-based policies that disadvantage certain individuals, reinforcing a strict interpretation of civil rights law.

The DOJ will collaborate with the Department of Education to issue guidance ensuring compliance, signaling a broad federal effort to curtail race- and gender-based DEI initiatives.

A deepfake video depicting former U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a fight inside the White House is currently circulating on social media. The video, which has gained traction on TikTok, X, and Reddit, falsely portrays the Oval Office confrontation as a physical altercation.

“Cute winter boots” is trending on TikTok—not because of the season, but because, after Trump’s inauguration, it has become a protest meme. Some call it a joke, others a revolution.

This season, “cute winter boots” is trending—but not for the reasons one might expect. While fashion weeks are in full swing, this phenomenon has nothing to do with seasonal trends. Instead, “take your cute winter boots on” has become a coded phrase on TikTok, signaling readiness to fight against Trump—particularly his immigration policies and the mobilization of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The phrase gained momentum in the wake of the Super Bowl halftime show, where Kendrick Lamar’s performance was packed with subtle political messages. His set resonated deeply with audiences already engaged in anti-Trump online activism, fueling a surge in #CuteWinterBoots videos almost immediately after the game. The halftime show once again demonstrated how pop culture serves as a catalyst for memetic resistance, where music, politics, and internet culture merge into a single, chaotic battlefield.

The trend began in late January, with videos where users either showcased their winter boots or ironically commented on how cute they were. It’s an example of algospeak, where politically charged words are replaced with harmless expressions to avoid censorship and shadowbanning.

The rise of social media has been extensively chronicled—when the industry emerged, the mantra “Move fast and break things” symbolized an innovation imperative that prioritized rapid change over consideration of consequences. The streaming industry followed a similar path, repeating many of the same mistakes by prioritizing growth and profit over artistic integrity and fairness.

With Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist, Liz Pelly delivers a sharp analysis of an era that, like social media platforms, has transformed how we create and consume culture, with significant social and cultural costs as a result.

Anna Horel

2024 marked a year of intense focus on the mental health challenges facing younger generations, a theme central to Jonathan Haidt’s widely discussed book The Anxious Generation. Beyond the many analyses offered by experts, cultural commentators, and influencers hunting for unclaimed perspectives, attention, and traction, what does the generation at the center of these debates have to say about it?

A critique of contemporary society, driven by chaotic collages and visual mashups, has been compared to the Dada movement’s revolt a century ago against the absurdities of its own time.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of American politics, President Kamala Harris has managed to capture the attention and support of a demographic that was too young to vote in the last election: TikTok-savvy teenage girls. This group, often overlooked by traditional political campaigns, represents a significant and increasingly influential segment of the electorate. Unlike former President Donald Trump, whose focus on the edgy corners of the internet and a predominantly male audience resonated with a different crowd, Harris has found herself at the center of a cultural zeitgeist that aligns with the values and interests of mainstream youth culture. Rather than actively courting this attention, Harris benefits from the rise of memes and viral moments that celebrate her in ways that resonate with young voters. This phenomenon illustrates a shift in political engagement, where the best strategy is often to allow the cultural wave to naturally build momentum, thereby connecting with a new generation in a meaningful and impactful way without direct participation.

”Når den mest dominerende vinkling i nyhedsmediernes dækning af det, der skete på Capitol Hill er en nynazist, der optræder flamboyant, så risikerer det at overbevise folk om, at det ikke er en trussel – fordi det jo bare er så skørt”

شب تاریک نمی ماند، نور صبحدم بالا می آید.

#مهسا_امینی

#زن_زندگی_آزادی

#ژن_ژیان_ئازادی

#mahsaamini #womanlifefreedom

IF YOU KICK SOMEONE IN THESE BOOTS THEY GO BOING! VIRAL PRANKS SEL

In 2015 the first picture of woman you got when serching the term "CEO" in Google Images, was a picture of Barbie in a suit. That is almost 8 years ago and the problems with biases in technology has not improved. Instead it has become a problem especially for minority groups.

Remember the worst year ever? Apparently 2016 was 'the worst year ever'.. Syria, the Nice attack, Brussels, Brexit, Trump, record-hot temperatures, Berlin, the Dallas shooting, the loss of Cohen, Carrie Fischer, Bowie, Prince and George Michael dying on Christmas..