Did you ever use VHS tapes as a kid? I still remember popping one into the VCR and never ceasing to be amazed that an entire movie could be contained within a little black plastic box. They were crucial to my consumption of media — until one day they weren’t. VHS came and went, and now it just…
Colours are often associated with emotions — it’s not uncommon to feel “blue” or be “green with envy”. For a small percentage of the population, however, links between colours and emotions are just the beginning. Synesthesia, a neurological trait that is estimated to be present in 2-4% of people, is defined as “the production of a…
In the spring of 2014, Twitter erupted with a cunning media campaign that got #WeNeedDiverseBooks to trend globally. Beginning with support from authors who were hoping to “raise [their] voices into a roar that can’t be ignored”, the campaign caught like wildfire. However, almost a year later, I can’t help but fear that the movement has fallen out of…
Am I the only person that had never heard of Blue Monday until this year? When my Twitter stream was clogged up with a flurry of articles and quips on the subject a few days ago, it certainly seemed that way. A quick Google search revealed that the third Monday of each January is supposedly the most…
It’s that time of year again. That’s right, we’re nearly halfway through the luxurious mid-October to late-December season where pumpkin pie reigns as the star of seasonal desserts. It was with this festive tart that the pumpkin-spice hysteria all began, and having a delicious, go-to recipe is essential for anyone who partakes in Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. With that,…
Let’s start with a simple definition: “Net neutrality” is a term popularised by internet users who oppose the increasing tendency among network owners (telecommunication companies) to tier or prioritise certain content on the network. Essentially, it’s founded on the idea that the internet needs to remain a level playing field. Since its inception, the diversity and…
In the time since the current outbreak began, reports on Ebola have flooded nearly every news medium in every country. As the death toll rises with each day (currently, it surpasses 4,500), the issue has justifiably escalated to a matter of international concern. However, so much attention surrounding any one topic can easily warrant discrepancy that leaves one baffled and with…
In the age of the internet, who even buys cookbooks anymore? As a vegetarian or vegan especially, finding cookbooks with something fresh and delicious that still works for your diet can be a real challenge. But no longer are vegetarian recipes just found in a little niche section of Chapters — online, there is a thriving…
As a frequent library-goer and, admittedly, not the hugest fan of the currently existing Central Library, I’ve been looking forward to the grand new reveal of the New Central Library’s design for a long time. It was announced a few months ago that the esteemed Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta had been hired to put together the new design,…
I don’t know about you, but I can’t possibly imagine a fall day better spent than sitting in the park, taking in the crisp air and autumnal colours with a fragrant tea warming my hands. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a tea addict year-round. But come September, there’s little that pleases me more than shelving…