Culture
Inverse documents cultural change that is being pushed forward with technology, science, and art. Below is a selection of beats that help comprise Inverse’s culture report. For a complete feed of all culture stories, scroll to the bottom. —Nick Lucchesi, editor-in-chief.
Fox News is wrong, Star Trek has always been “woke”
A recent op-ed accuses new Trek shows of partisanship but forgets historical facts.
Bungie is currently the only video game company standing up for Roe v. Wade
I’m shocked! Well, not that shocked.
Is Russia's withdrawal from the ISS a bluff? Why it’s too soon to say if it’s leaving
Recent comments suggest Roscosmos intends to leave the International Space Stations over Ukraine war-related sanctions.
SpaceX Starlink: New price strategy, speed, order details for the internet service
Starlink could offer high-speed internet to those that need it most.
The Ukraine war reveals the biggest problem with humanity's approach to climate change
The invasion has highlighted both the dangers of ignoring producer responsibility for fossil fuels and an opportunity to embrace it.
How the Ukraine war destroyed Germany's “bridge” to clean energy
The 'Energiewende' relies on gas as a bridge between a coal-powered past and renewable future.
A deadly, drug-resistant disease could spread because of the war in Ukraine
This year was always going to be an uphill battle as global health systems recover from the pandemic.
War in Ukraine forces Starlink competitor OneWeb to use SpaceX for launches
SpaceX has entered into an agreement to start launching satellites for a competitor to Starlink.
8 years ago, the U.S. and Russia played chicken with the ISS — will history repeat itself?
Russian and the USA's 2014 diplomatic spat over the ISS also provides a blueprint for understanding the current clash over the space station — and how this fresh fight may ultimately pan out.
Russian invasion of Ukraine derails a vital mission to find alien life on Mars
International space collaboration is in peril.
Star Trek: Discovery showrunner explains that shocking Season 4 finale cameo [Exclusive]
Discovery just honored a real-life Trek fan who’s making a huge difference in the real world.
Bethesda founder calls for action on Ukraine
Axiom Space VP defends private mission to the ISS: “We’re not space tourists”
This is not supposed to be fun...
Russia official warns of “uncontrolled deorbit” of ISS, a beacon of international space science
Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russian space agency Roscosmos, issued a stark warning.
Study reveals a massive clean energy flaw in Biden's 2030 EV plan
Electric vehicles won’t save the environment unless we make one big fix.
Can we block the Sun to fight climate change? The controversial science, explained
This could make natural catastrophes worse.
How Watchmen uses time travel to explore the sinister cycles of racism
The HBO adaptation of the iconic graphic novel examines generational trauma via time alteration.
How Everything Everywhere All at Once wields science fiction in a new, empowering way
Michelle Yeoh’s sci-fi epic uses the multiverse to explore the desires and dreams of Chinese Americans.
Dementia rates of Indigenous Australians show the lifelong impact of racism
The shockingly high rates have implications beyond one country.
Atlanta Season 3 review: Donald Glover is more confident and unpredictable than ever
The FX series returns to remind you there is nothing else quite like it.
The Batman finally holds Bruce Wayne accountable in one historic way
Matt Reeves gives viewers the most nuanced understanding of criminality ever depicted in a Batman film.
How the 'Star Wars Eclipse' controversy sparked a movement
What’s wrong with wanting to be saved?
Just because I’m a Black, queer, woman, and ostensibly un-Christian doesn’t mean I don’t want a Sky Daddy to come and make things easier for me.
We, the Super Ones
Black women are already superheroes, even if Hollywood doesn’t see it.
Roxane Gay: A letter from the editor
Jacksepticeye calls out “Chad energy” in Activision and wider gaming culture
“It’s really sad to see that some aspects of that still remain.”
Is Robin bisexual? Maybe, but it shouldn’t matter
The comics show Tim Drake accepting a date from a male suitor, but that doesn't mean anything concrete just yet.
You need to watch the most inventive time-travel movie on Netflix ASAP
Two demographics may have increased risk for Alzheimer's, study finds
How a complex set of factors makes ethnoracial minorities vulnerable to memory loss and dementia.
What will Earth look like in 2121? 10 young leaders give their predictions
What do you hope Earth looks like in 2121?
White people are shown to have peculiar ideas about “diversity” —study
Can a Harry Potter video game be saved after months of controversy?
Jeff Bezos: How the clumsy approach of a billionaire could’ve gone differently
A miniscule tweak could have changed everything.
"This Website Will Self-Destruct" is the website we need in the chaos year, 2020
Life is hard. This website listens.
Scientists extract an alarming stat about the amount of news Americans consume
Fake news makes up less than 1 percent of Americans’ news consumption, but researchers reveal another massive, complex problem across the media landscape.
The 5 best science podcasts, 2020 edition
The best science podcasts and podcast episodes from the science writers and editors at Inverse.
How to keep up with coronavirus news without losing your mind
Avoid COVID-19 news overload with three expert-backed strategies.
Anxiety from the news: A psychologist explains how to cope with it in 2020
Coping with stress caused by the news cycle is manageable if we know how to address it.
Welcome to Inverse 2.0
You love to see it
Study reveals how Americans feel about working with A.I.
Only 1 in 5 Americans are excited about working with AI.
The solution to stopping deepfakes might be staring us in the face
A misinformation expert tells Inverse that deepfakes have a people problem.
Why millennials everywhere are killing climate change denial
Why the climate change deniers are losing the debate.
Study on Trump's Twitter habits reveals he has 4 tweet styles
Researchers break down how Trump tweets.
Electrek Editor Fred Lambert Is a Driving Force in Electric Transportation
Lambert obsessed over electric cars so much on Reddit that he went pro.
Debate Psychology: 5 Science-Backed Tips to Avoid Getting Your Brain Hacked
A guide to thinking critically while watching televised political debates.
7,500 Women Scientists Are Ready to Answer All of Your Science Questions
Now there's no excuse to only ask only male scientists.
Andrew Yang Talks UBI, Deep Fakes in Tech Savvy Presidential Town Hall
Andrew Yang is not a single issue candidate.
The Future of DIY Content Is Full of Risky, Empowering Moments
"Influencer" culture is only just getting started.
How Watchmen uses time travel to explore the sinister cycles of racism
The HBO adaptation of the iconic graphic novel examines generational trauma via time alteration.
Black Americans get worse sleep — a study says the problem is getting worse
It might be another long aftereffect of the recession.
New research reveals disturbing racial disparities in U.S. air pollution
Recent reports reveal how historically marginalized communities experience greater air pollution exposure.
Do you live here? Maps reveal the U.S. regions most at risk of floods
Costal and inland flooding alike will greatly shape the nation’s future.
Climate change study reveals a spike in flood risk areas in the U.S. by 2050
The findings will help us better protect those most at risk.
Gut microbiome study reveals the depths of racial health disparities
Time for a gut check.
Scientists confirm 6 links between race and air pollution
A positive trend in decreasing air pollution masks glaring racial disparities.
In 'For All Mankind,' one character represented just what sci-fi is about
In the alternate history of 'For All Mankind,' the Apollo-Soyuz mission held more importance than it did IRL. Meet the TV hero behind its command.
Simu Liu reveals the secret reason Shang-Chi wears Air Jordan sneakers
'Shang-Chi' director reveals the truth behind the movie's dragons
Destin Daniel Cretton rises to the occasion as the director of Marvel's first Asian superhero movie, 'Shang-Chi.' He dishes on representation and dragons.
How Asian American internet trailblazers gave new life to Shang-Chi
The final story in a series on Shang-Chi’s origins, rise, fall, and rebirth.
Shang-Chi: Why Marvel’s most influential comic disappeared.
'Master of Kung Fu' was once a red hot Marvel comic created by writers inspired by the coming martial arts craze. So why haven't you heard of Shang-Chi before?
How Marvel's Shang-Chi had to "destroy" its own racist origins
The first in a series about Shang-Chi’s origins, rise, fall, and rebirth.
Henry Golding has main character energy
“No MSG Added”: The racist history of the MSG myth
“The start of the MSG myth was... a tacitly racist game of telephone.”
'47 Ronin' sequel script is finished, writer reveals
Aimee Garcia, star of 'Lucifer' and 'M.O.D.O.K.,' prioritizes diversity in her '47 Ronin' sequel. She tells Inverse the latest on the follow-up to the Keanu Reeves film.
Steven Moffat on J.K. Rowling's anti-trans stance: "Just be nice"
The 'Doctor Who' showrunner comments on his social justice stance and the Harry Potter author's "gender critical" views.
If humans go to Mars, we need an Earth Flag — here’s why
Opinion: We are approaching the point when humans make the leap off Earth and onto other planets. When we get there, how will we represent ourselves?
Gay yearning drives fandoms — here’s why it deserves more attention
From Killing Eve to It: Chapter Two, gay yearning allows stories to endure beyond the last scene.
“We need to stop this now”: How tabletop RPGs raised $350,000 for trans charities
Inside the overnight success of the TTRPGs for Trans Rights Texas bundle.
'Our Flag Means Death' finally portrays historical queerness correctly
The HBO Max series delivers a shocking twist with more historical merit than you may think.
Batgirl casts trans actress in a historic superhero movie first
The DCEU breaks new ground.
'Thor 4' could feature a surprising and historic romance, Tessa Thompson reveals
Finally, there’s space for Valkyrie to lead her own story.
The Acolyte casting news fixes a huge Star Wars fandom problem
The “female-led” series may have a nonbinary star.
Inside Superman’s historic reveal: Why DC is right to redefine its hero
Jon Kent is bisexual, reveals an upcoming comic. Changing everything we knew about the Man of Steel, the development keeps his essence intact.
NASA may still rename the controversial Webb Telescope. Here's how.
NASA shows no signs of relenting on its stance to not rename the James Webb Telescope, but a New York State Senator suggests this it's a long game.
'Venom 2' redefines Eddie and Venom’s relationship in one revolutionary way
'Venom: Let There Be Carnage' didn't just break box-office records. The sequel also breaks ground in how it depicts its main couple.
Phastos: Marvel’s Eternals rating reveals a historic new character detail
Marvel's first openly gay superhero will make his big-screen debut in Eternals.
Strange New Worlds could change Spock in one huge, historic way
Star Trek fans know that Spock isn't strictly heterosexual. Could it become canon?
"Toxic online mentality": Trans employees of Activision Blizzard speak
At Activision Blizzard, LGBTQ+ employees say they experienced a toxic work environment and were forced into the closet.
The science of sexual orientation
Can genes explain sexuality? Should we even try to know?
Is Robin bisexual? Maybe, but it shouldn’t matter
The comics show Tim Drake accepting a date from a male suitor, but that doesn't mean anything concrete just yet.
10 best time travel movies ever, ranked
The complicated history of time travel in 10 movies.
Studies linking nature to better mental health focus on wealthy nations — here's why that's a huge problem
Outdoor psychology has a cultural bias problem
Behold! This incredible Boba Fett watch has a sky-high price to match
You’ll need to save some major credits for this one.
Wordle creator just discovered your new word game obsession
The Wordle on the street.
How to help your pet lose weight: 4 tips for healthy cats and dogs
Want your pet to live longer? Start by following these four guidelines.
If humans go to Mars, we need an Earth Flag — here’s why
Opinion: We are approaching the point when humans make the leap off Earth and onto other planets. When we get there, how will we represent ourselves?
Your shoes are covered in crap and forever chemicals. Don't wear them inside.
What’s living on your living room floor?
20 years ago, 'Scorpion King' turned The Rock into a movie star
Elden Ring's best bosses and locations drew inspiration from an unlikely source
It’s no accident.
Scientists have solved the most annoying part of owning a car in cities
What is the best way to maximize the number of cars that can park on a street?
A deadly, drug-resistant disease could spread because of the war in Ukraine
This year was always going to be an uphill battle as global health systems recover from the pandemic.
Pieces of Her cast: Where you've seen the Netflix stars before
Here’s how you know the cast of Netflix’s new hit, Pieces of Her.
You don't need to be happy — 5 tips to actually thrive
To put it simply, being happy is not a priority in these situations.
In Kashmir, indigenous Muslim healers cure broken bones with spirituality — and science
Science has revolutionized medicine so profoundly but there are still many people living in Indian-administered Kashmir who believe in a more spiritual treatment for bone injuries.
Is Bitcoin a religion? What the answer reveals about humanity
Some Bitcoiners view Bitcoin as not just a way to make money, but as the answer to all of humanity’s problems.
The scientific case to abolish fast-food drive-throughs has nothing to do with obesity
This service has become indispensable for many.
