Yesterday
OceanGate disaster doco lays bare company’s failures
Netflix’s documentary about the Titan catastrophe uses familiar techniques to spotlight the faulty judgment of billionaire owner Stockton Rush.
This Month
A piece of this seminal ’80s film could be yours for $460,000
Anyone? Anyone? Taking bids now for the vest worn by Matthew Broderick in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.
How they pulled off that wild ‘Mission: Impossible’ plane stunt
Creating Tom Cruise’s pivotal scene for “The Final Reckoning” required months of grit, G-force training and a little hypothermia.
May
What’s with all the crypto bros eating pizza?
The first use of bitcoin to buy a real-world object happened 15 years ago this week. The deal has not aged well.
‘Chicago Pope’: Leo XIV’s roots unleash spate of holy humour
The new pontiff’s home city has welcomed him with jokey tropes, from its deep dish pizzas to stained-glass windows depicting a dunking Michael Jordan.
Who’s who in Eurovision 2025 – and how Australia lines up
Seven-time winner Sweden is the bookies’ favourite this year with an ode to sauna culture, while Sydney’s Go-Jo is one of several acts indulging in innuendo.
Only one episode a week? Why ‘stinge-watching’ is back
The old, leisurely way to watch television drama is in vogue – although revenue-hungry streaming services are driving the trend as much as viewers.
April
Feral ‘Minecraft Movie’ fans spark irritation – and optimism
These days it is unusual to see a crowd of teenagers at the cinema.
Why the art market has an eye for crypto
Everyone wins: buyers avoid taxes, and auction houses make money.
March
How to direct a musical on a ‘football field’
There’s a lot riding on Opera Australia’s annual outdoor production but Shaun Rennie is more worried about actors getting to their marks, and nothing getting blown into Sydney Harbour.
You can’t unsee this terrifying ‘man-suit’ android
The inventors of the Protoclone hope it can be a skin for future AI applications. In the meantime, it is hanging around looking scary.
January
What does ‘cute winter boots’ mean on TikTok?
Since the Trump inauguration, conversation about “cute winter boots” has been trending on TikTok. What are they really talking about?
The energy drink that powers the US government
It promises to make you great again, but with a shot of chaos. It is, in other words, a suitable pairing for Trump’s Washington.
Why upmarket gyms are taking on country-club vibes
Playing on the nostalgia for Ivy League-coded preppiness, these athletic spaces veer sharply away from the sleek aesthetic long favoured by fitness chains.
December 2024
Why is my teen talking about ‘ocean aliens’?
A rumour has been circulating online that recent US congressional hearings uncovered the existence of aliens living in our oceans. Could it be true?
August 2024
How Starface pimple patches became a beauty obsession
The skincare company sold its billionth Hydro-Star patch and is on track to bring in $132 million of revenue this year.
When you go to work are you demure and mindful?
A viral video of advice on how to dress for the office has sparked a social media storm and turned its creator into a hot property.
Why everyone is turning their fridge into a tiny wonderland
The new trend taking social media by storm is “fridgescaping” - and it involves a little imagination and a lot of spare time.
Quackers: How rubber ducks are taking over cruise ships
The whimsical trend is growing in popularity, but not every cruise company is on board with it.
Should knitting be an Olympic sport?
British diver Tom Daley may not be the first man to knit at the Games, but he’s probably the best known.