Hi pals, 

In today's episode, we chat about Emma Robert's 'Nepo Baby' comments and Paul Mescal's latest pap shots with a certain indie musician. 

Next, do cheaters deserve to be exposed online? It's a question that was asked following the viral clip of a man on a United Airlines flight this week. We reference the article Exposing Cheaters Isn't Always A Flex by Angelina Chapin for The Cut and this TikTok. 

New friendship discourse dropped this week. What the hell is a 'medium friend' and why is the New York Times optimising friendship? And next, are people choosing their friends based on aesthetics only? That's what Dazed asked in an article by Nia Shumake. We also reference this TikTok by user Hey Miss Kelsey.

Also, have your friends ever airbrushed your social media pics? That's what happened to Manon Gilbart who wrote about it for Cosmopolitan UK. 

In recommendations, Jas enjoyed this personal essay by Victoria Spratt for Refinery29, while Maggie loved Elif Shafak's book which is out in August. 

Thank you for listening! 
Jas and Mags 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hi pals,  In today's episode, we chat about Emma Robert's 'Nepo Baby' comments and Paul Mescal's latest pap shots with a certain indie musician.  Next, do cheaters deserve to be exposed online? It's a question that was asked following the viral clip of a man on a United Airlines flight this week. We reference the article <a href="https://www.thecut.com/article/man-cheating-on-flight-tiktok.html">Exposing Cheaters Isn't Always A Flex</a> by Angelina Chapin for The Cut and this <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@prettycritical/video/7384440380835597610">TikTok</a>.  New friendship discourse dropped this week. What the hell is a 'medium friend' and why is the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/22/well/the-vexing-problem-of-the-medium-friend.html">New York Times</a> optimising friendship? And next, are people choosing their friends based on aesthetics only? That's what <a href="https://www.dazeddigital.com/beauty/article/62929/1/the-rise-of-people-choosing-friends-for-their-feeds">Dazed asked</a> in an article by Nia Shumake. We also reference this TikTok by user <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@heymisskelsey/video/7083256779949346090">Hey Miss Kelsey</a>. Also, have your friends ever airbrushed your social media pics? That's what happened to Manon Gilbart who wrote about it for <a href="https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a61068127/friend-photoshopped-me/ ">Cosmopolitan UK</a>.  In recommendations, Jas enjoyed this personal essay by Victoria Spratt for <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-au/women-waiting-for-life-milestones-adulthood">Refinery29</a>, while Maggie loved <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202468422-there-are-rivers-in-the-sky">Elif Shafak's book</a> which is out in August.  Thank you for listening!  Jas and Mags See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.<hr>

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

Culture Club is a weekly podcast analysing pop culture, the arts, and the internet, hosted by writers and editors Jasmine Wallis and Maggie Zhou.

Culture Club

What Do We Owe Our Medium Friends?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/491fcf2c-f056-43a0-b19a-b47f00218eec/transcript

Wimbledon bans influencers, Australia might be opting out of social media algorithms, and unpacking the Stella Lefty nepo pop-star drama. 

First up: Current SNL cast member Veronika Slowikowska (AKA Veronka is Cool) revealed a new singing project: Me As A Girl. Even local sleuth, Triple J presenter Abby Butler, made a TikTok on the subject. 

Next, Nathan Fielder has made a documentary about Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes. We reference this Vanity Fair feature.

In world-breaking news, Australia might be the first to switch off social media algorithms. Thanks to the campaigning of local not-for-profit, Teach Us Consent, the Australian government may encourage an "opt-in" algorithm. Is this a positive? Or is the algorithm becoming a close comfort? We reference our own interview with Teach Us Consent founder, Chanel Contos, from 2023! And this piece in The Conversation by Rob Nicholls.

Wimbledon is banning influencers? Kind of. Wimbledon will not have any accreditation category for influencers or content creators, sparking a debate not just online but also in the Culture Club studio. 

There’s a name that hasn’t left the internet’s lips this month, and that is Stella Lefty. Her country-pop song ‘Boston’ has gone super bonkers viral and, as a result, brought about a LOT of attention. We break down the plagiarism accusations and billionaire father claims. We reference a Yahoo article by Kelsey Weekman and a review by The Guardian: Boston singer’s debut is bland, boilerplate and beyond banal.

In recommendations, Maggie loved Sterling Point while Jas recommends the new A24 movie about Anthony Bourdain, TONY.

Thanks for listening! You can follow us on Substack and YouTube as well.

Wimbledon bans influencers, Australia might be opting out of social media algorithms, and unpacking the Stella Lefty nepo pop-star drama.&nbsp;
First up: Current SNL cast member Veronika Slowikowska (AKA Veronka is Cool) revealed a new singing project: Me As A Girl. Even local sleuth, Triple J presenter Abby Butler, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@flabbygutler/video/7677845172415221010?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7549912834957297170">made a TikTok</a> on the subject.&nbsp;
Next, Nathan Fielder has made a documentary about Theranos fraudster Elizabeth Holmes. We reference this <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/story/nathan-fielder-elizabeth-holmes-doc-secret-screening-telluride">Vanity Fair feature</a>.
In world-breaking news, Australia might be the first to switch off social media algorithms. Thanks to the campaigning of local not-for-profit, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DdAnqUiCe9g/?img_index=1">Teach Us Consent</a>, the Australian government may encourage an "opt-in" algorithm. Is this a positive? Or is the algorithm becoming a close comfort? We reference our <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/consent-laid-bare-with-advocate-chanel-contos/id1698271610?i=1000628313099">own interview</a> with Teach Us Consent founder, Chanel Contos, from 2023! And this piece in&nbsp;<a href="https://theconversation.com/australians-may-soon-be-able-to-switch-off-social-media-algorithms-is-that-censorship-291359">The Conversation</a> by Rob Nicholls.
Wimbledon is banning influencers? Kind of. Wimbledon will not have any accreditation category for influencers or content creators, sparking a debate not just online but also in the Culture Club studio.&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s a name that hasn&rsquo;t left the internet&rsquo;s lips this month, and that is Stella Lefty. Her country-pop song &lsquo;Boston&rsquo; has gone super bonkers viral and, as a result, brought about a LOT of attention. We break down the plagiarism accusations and billionaire father claims. We reference a <a href="Stella%20Lefty%20has%20an%20inescapable%20hit,%20a%20billionaire%20dad%20and%20a%20growing%20list%20of%20copying%20accusations%20by%20Kelsey%20Weekman%20for%20Yahoo">Yahoo article</a> by Kelsey Weekman and a review by The Guardian:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/aug/21/stella-lefty-long-way-home-review">Boston singer&rsquo;s debut is bland, boilerplate and beyond banal.</a>
In recommendations, Maggie loved Sterling Point while Jas recommends the new A24 movie about Anthony Bourdain, <a href="https://www.palacecinemas.com.au/movies/tony">TONY</a>.
Thanks for listening! You can follow us on <a href="https://cultureclubpodcast.substack.com/">Substack</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CultureClubPod">YouTube</a> as well.

Opt-In Algorithms, Wimbledon Bans Influencers & Stella Lefty, Pop’s New Nepo Baby

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/88972348-4374-4fe9-8870-b4c500c80e49/transcript

The internet's sexual beginnings, cyberfeminism, and the intersection of design, fashion and tech with author and academic Mindy Seu.

Mindy Seu is an American designer, researcher, author and one of the youngest tenured professors teaching Design Media Arts at UCLA. In 2023, Mindy published the Cyberfeminism Index. What began as a public spreadsheet on the topic of cyberfeminism evolved into a book charting three decades of online activism and net art. 

Now Mindy is touring a new project, A Sexual History of the Internet. Described as part participatory lecture-performance, part 700-page artist book, the performance traces the tangled history of our digital tools. Guests gather to explore the intertwined histories of sexuality and technological development, all while becoming active participants by reading historical citations and anecdotes aloud through a shared script delivered via Instagram Stories.

Mindy’s lectured everywhere from MoMA to Pornhub, and has been profiled in The Los Angeles Times, Dazed, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Read our Substack interview with Mindy here. 

Thanks for listening to Culture Club. 

The internet's sexual beginnings, cyberfeminism, and the intersection of design, fashion and tech with author and academic Mindy Seu.
Mindy Seu is an American designer, researcher, author and one of the youngest tenured professors teaching Design Media Arts at UCLA. In 2023, Mindy published the <a href="https://cyberfeminismindex.com/">Cyberfeminism Index</a>. What began as a public spreadsheet on the topic of cyberfeminism evolved into a book charting three decades of online activism and net art.&nbsp;
Now Mindy is touring a new project, <a href="https://asexualhistoryoftheinternet.com/">A Sexual History of the Internet</a>. Described as part participatory lecture-performance, part 700-page artist book, the performance traces the tangled history of our digital tools. Guests gather to explore the intertwined histories of sexuality and technological development, all while becoming active participants by reading historical citations and anecdotes aloud through a shared script delivered via Instagram Stories.
Mindy&rsquo;s lectured everywhere from MoMA to Pornhub, and has been profiled in The Los Angeles Times, Dazed, Vogue, Vanity Fair, and more. Read our Substack interview with <a href="https://cultureclubpodcast.substack.com/p/mindy-seu-shares-the-old-internet">Mindy here</a>.&nbsp;
Thanks for listening to Culture Club.&nbsp;

Cyberfeminism & The Internet’s Sexual History With Tech Researcher Mindy Seu

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b9d84a2b-83b9-4c19-8e5c-b4be00b6c393/transcript

Amazon is burning rare books, why girls are dressing up for the Dolomites, and the pros and cons of trending pregnancy bumps.

Shoutout to the state of Queensland for our slate of AI updates up top. From Australia banning AI music in the ARIA charts to Brisbane banning "smart glasses" in public pools, it's a good news week. Although, Amazon have been caught shredding rare books, so...

We reference this TikTok by 404 Media and read from Why is Anthropic destroying books?By rare books librarian Kathryn James.  

There’s been an uptick in fashion hiking content recently, with creators showing off their outfits while in the outdoors – most notably, in the Dolomites, a mountain range in Northeastern Italy. It has parts of the fashion algorithm in a tizzy, with some asking if one of the last spaces women have to not perform (when touching grass) is being capitalised on by brands and influencers. We play @_evemmore's TikTok. 

Next, dispatches from Copenhagen Fashion Week catalogued a new trend – the baby bump. We reference the Vogue Adria article Copenhagen’s trendsetters prove maternity style can be every bit as chic as it is practicalby Sonja Knežević and The Tradwife Aesthetic Has Reached Copenhagen Street Style by Steph Saltzman for Fashionista. 

We also read from Baring the Bump: How Celebrities are Leading a Shift in Maternity Fashionby Ellie Violet Bramley andInside The Unregulated World Of Pregnancy Influencersby Australian writer Madison Griffiths.

In Bookmarked, Jas recommends Rose of Nevada and Maggie recommends Nervous Laughter by Rick Morton.

Thank you to Pandora for sponsoring today's episode! You can shop the new Pandora Zodiac Talisman collection here.

Amazon is burning rare books, why girls are dressing up for the Dolomites, and the pros and cons of trending pregnancy bumps.
Shoutout to the state of Queensland for our slate of AI updates up top. From Australia banning AI music in the ARIA charts to Brisbane banning "smart glasses" in public pools, it's a good news week. Although, Amazon have been caught shredding rare books, so...
We reference this TikTok by <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@404.media/video/7675005112477158670?q=404%20media%20amazon%20book&amp;t=1787722111170">404 Media</a> and read from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/05/anthropic-ai-destroying-books">Why is Anthropic destroying books?</a> By rare books librarian Kathryn James.&nbsp;&nbsp;
There&rsquo;s been an uptick in fashion hiking content recently, with creators showing off their outfits while in the outdoors &ndash; most notably, in the Dolomites, a mountain range in Northeastern Italy. It has parts of the fashion algorithm in a tizzy, with some asking if one of the last spaces women have to not perform (when touching grass) is being capitalised on by brands and influencers. We play <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@_evemmore/video/7665755435248651522?q=_evemmore%20hiking&amp;t=1787715387596">@_evemmore's</a> TikTok.&nbsp;
Next, dispatches from Copenhagen Fashion Week catalogued a new trend &ndash; the baby bump. We reference the Vogue Adria article <a href="https://vogueadria.com/copenhagen-fashion-week-maternity-style/">Copenhagen&rsquo;s trendsetters prove maternity style can be every bit as chic as it is practical</a> by Sonja Knežević and <a href="https://fashionista.com/2026/08/copenhagen-fashion-week-spring-2027-street-style-tradwife">The Tradwife Aesthetic Has Reached Copenhagen Street Style</a> by Steph Saltzman for Fashionista.&nbsp;
We also read from <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/article/2024/jul/12/baring-the-bump-celebrities-are-helping-to-force-a-shift-in-maternity-fashion">Baring the Bump: How Celebrities are Leading a Shift in Maternity Fashion</a> by Ellie Violet Bramley and <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com.au/news/bumpfluencers/">Inside The Unregulated World Of Pregnancy Influencers</a> by Australian writer Madison Griffiths.
In Bookmarked, Jas recommends <a href="https://miff.com.au/program/film/rose-of-nevada">Rose of Nevada</a> and Maggie recommends <a href="https://rick-morton.ghost.io/">Nervous Laughter</a> by Rick Morton.
Thank you to Pandora for sponsoring today's episode! You can shop the new&nbsp;<a href="https://au.pandora.net/en/charms/zodiac-charms/?srsltid=AfmBOor_8N_MUp5At3i84q42R8_WIJXsETXdBhK-B0ETl_Ol6gQQm-n2">Pandora Zodiac Talisman collection here</a>.

Are Baby Bumps An Accessory? Plus, Dolomites Style & Amazon’s Book Shredding

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7c6d486f-afb8-431a-9115-b4b700b9f28b/transcript

What Do We Owe Our Medium Friends?

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