The Best Articles in Culture
The most useful articles and videos in Culture from around the web—beginners to advanced—curated by thought leaders and our community. We focus on timeless pieces and update the list whenever we discover new, must-read articles or videos—make sure to bookmark and revisit this page.
Top 5 Culture Articles
At a glance: these are the articles that have been most read, shared, and saved in Culture by Refind users.
Videos
Watch a video to get a quick overview.
why Japan's internet is weirdly designed
Use code ANSWER to get 10% off your Hostinger plan today (on top of ongoing offers like their Black Friday/Cyber Monday $1.99 for Premium Shared web hosting ...
A fact-checked debate about legal weed
2 opposing perspectives and 6 true facts about cannabis legalization.Subscribe and turn on notifications 🔔 so you don't miss any videos: http://goo.gl/0bsA...
Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen: The myth behind the Chinese zodiac
What's your sign? In Western astrology, it's a constellation determined by when your birthday falls in the calendar. But according to the Chinese zodiac (生肖), it's your shuxiang, meaning the animal…
What is ...?
New to Culture? These articles make an excellent introduction.
What is ‘Gothic’? It’s more complicated than you think.
Hidden in the architecture of some of the world’s most famous buildings is a cultural exchange between Europe and the Middle East.
How to ...?
How to deconstruct the world
Don’t believe everything you hear, read and watch. To puncture received ideas about culture, start thinking like Jacques Derrida
«Anything that has been constructed can be deconstructed. This is true for objects, but is also true for concepts, such as God, justice and truth.»
How to come up with a unique Halloween costume without spending a ton of money
Tap your creativity (and closet) for the best Halloween costume.
Trending
These links are currently making the rounds in Culture on Refind.
What Gen Z wants to be when they grow up
Most Gen Z-ers are interested in the same careers as the generations before them.
Barbie was the first avatar: the crisis of identity in a digital age
In this piece you will learn about: 1) our hypothesis on why young people today are in a state of identity crisis or, as we call it, “identity moratorium”, 2) five key trends that drive this crisis,…
The Founder of the Nap Ministry on the Ways Rest Can Be a Form of Resistance
Grind culture is exhausting and separates us from who we really are.
«“We don’t have to earn rest,”»
Deviant obsessions: how David Lynch predicted our fragmented times
His work is freaky and frightening, yet today the Twin Peaks director cuts an almost cosy figure. As he turns 77 – a number of significance – we explore how real life caught up with his dark visions
Gen Z and young millennials' surprising obsession
A radical new wave of artists are sweeping the previously elite world of classical music – with a little help from fashion. Daisy Woodward explores how classical got cool.
Short Articles
Short on time? Check out these useful short articles in Culture—all under 10 minutes.
Drinking Cultures Around the World
From Iceland to Japan, we explore some of the most unique and fascinating drinking cultures around the world.
In defence of freedom in fiction
While we may think we have moved beyond the censorship of the past, writers' artistic freedoms are still constrained.
The Danish tradition we all need now
In Denmark, the Nordic concept of friluftsliv – or unwinding in the outdoors – includes troll hunts, shoreline biking and stargazing in Scandinavia's first International Dark Sky Park.
«the Nordic concept of friluftsliv – or unwinding in the outdoors»
Why Gen Z loves ugly selfies
Shared by 188, including Zoe Scaman, Matt Navarra
The Big [Censored] Theory
A case study on how the government censors TV in China.
«These removals reflect the government’s objective of encouraging particular identities and behaviors by eliminating mentions of any others.»
Long Articles
These are some of the most-read long-form articles in Culture.
A history of the smile through art, culture and etiquette
How our toothy modern smile was invented by a confluence of French dentistry and Parisian portrait-painting in the 1780s
«The smile comes easy to human beings. The facial muscles required to smile are in fact present in the womb, ready for early deployment to anxious parents.»
Is Everything Falling Apart?
Jonathan Haidt thinks so. I’m not so sure.
«Still, looking around today, I don’t see quite as much bleakness as Haidt seems to see. And one reason, I think, is that I don’t see the causes of our current troubles as being quite as novel as he does. We’ve been here before, and humankind survived.»
Reciprocation Bias
Understanding the mental model of reciprocation allows you to avoid indebtedness to others and increase your favor with them. Read this to learn more.
«Because the reciprocation tendency is so extreme, we can reverse the course of events by doing good rather than harm to the other party.»
Judge Knot
Does the loss of confidence in the humanities suggest a problem about knowledge or a problem about value?
The Diminishing Returns of Calendar Culture
Or, The Misery of Monochronic Time
Thought Leaders
We monitor hundreds of thought leaders, influencers, and newsletters in Culture, including:
DesignObserver
Writings and podcasts on design and culture. Founded by @jessicahelfand and @michaelbierut.
Open Culture
Find our culture posts on the other platforms, which begin with "M" and "P."
Aeon+Psyche
Aeon is a magazine of ideas and culture. Psyche is our sister magazine focused on the human condition. Visit http://aeon.co and http://psyche.co for more.
Anne Helen Petersen
I write Culture Study & also books — most recently, OUT OF OFFICE. Speaking: @prhspeakers IG: annehelenpetersen // email: annehelenpetersen @ gmail
The Pudding
The Pudding is a digital publication that explains ideas debated in culture with visual essays. Email us: sup@pudding.cool Support us: http://patreon.com/thepudding
Publications
We monitor hundreds of publications, blogs, newsletters, and news sources in Culture, including:
Aeon+Psyche
Aeon is a magazine of ideas and culture. Psyche is our sister magazine focused on the human condition. Visit http://aeon.co and http://psyche.co for more.
The Ringer
Sports. TV. Movies. Pop Culture. Music.
The Pudding
The Pudding is a digital publication that explains ideas debated in culture with visual essays. Email us: sup@pudding.cool Support us: http://patreon.com/thepudding
Noema Magazine
Exploring the transformations sweeping our world. Published by @berggruenInst. Pitch us: edit@noemamag.com
SELF
Wellness you can trust. #TeamSELF
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