OXFORD MEDIA SOCIETY
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS: Week 1 // MT21
Welcome back for a new term, everyone! Media Society is excited to be back, especially with the return of in-person events. These are shared via our social media; you can also be the first to receive the link to get (free) tickets by signing up to our mailing list here. While you’re waiting, here are some recommendations that we’ve been loving!
Our ‘Recommends’ series is a round-up of news articles, long reads and internet miscellany to keep you informed and entertained.
Welcome back for a new term, everyone! Media Society is excited to be back, especially with the return of in-person events. These are shared via our social media; you can also be the first to receive the link to get (free) tickets by signing up to our mailing list here. While you’re waiting, here are some recommendations that we’ve been loving!
LONG READS
Where is the line between artistic inspiration and stealing from someone’s life? This NYT article explores one woman’s claims that her kidney donation was plagiarised in an award-winning short story. Exploring friendship, responsibility and intersectionality, it’s divided the internet.
“I Realised I Just Didn’t Want Children Enough”: How Deciding Never To Become A Mother Set Me Free
In the news of Murray Edwards College (Cambridge) offering fertility seminars for women, this long-read is timelier than ever. Suggested by Lottie, our President, this is a “very liberating article, which takes a look at the steps one has to take to recognise what one actually wants from life”. Sarah Blau considers how people respond to women who don’t want children, and shares her experience of realising she just didn’t want a baby.
IN THE NEWS
‘Insufficient and very defensive’: how Nick Clegg became the fall guy for Facebook’s failures
If you’re wondering whatever happened to Nick Clegg, give this a read. John Harris explores the parallels between Clegg’s previous role as the UK’s deputy prime minister and his time at Facebook, especially following the platform’s recent controversy.
London Underground: Night Tube to reopen on Central and Victoria Lines from 27 November
After more than 140,000 people signed a petition asking for the Night Tube to reopen with the aim of improving women’s safety in public spaces, it has now been confirmed that it will return on limited lines from the 27 November. For more, read this TimeOut article exploring how the Tube can be made safer or Sabrina Miller’s comment piece arguing for the reopening of the Night Tube.
A BIT OF LISTENING
Naomi, our Membership Lead, describes this as “a hilarious and irreverent look at every James Bond film one-by-one – enjoyable even if you haven’t seen the movies!” Hosted by YouTuber Abigail Thorn, along with Alice Caldwell-Kelly and Devon, this podcast provides “weirdly compelling” insights into the changing ways Britain depicts itself – through Bond – from film to film. While the podcast is mostly comedic, the darker side of Bond (including racism, sexism and homophobia) is also handled with the seriousness it deserves. As the podcast approaches Daniel Craig’s era, this is a great way to reflect on the franchise’s origins.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Recommended by Lottie, this is self-help, but make it science. “Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better. Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale — the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history — Laurie will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.”
THE WATCH LIST
Of course, this would be on the list. It’s already breaking box office records and serves as the conclusion to Craig’s time as Bond. Nelson, our Sponsorship Lead, found No Time to Die “an evocative and emotional send off for Daniel Craig – beautifully directed with some of the best up and coming stars. Delayed but certainly not dead”.
Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution
This BBC documentary series was recommended by Rhiannon, OUMS’ Social Secretary: “led through interviews by a delightfully indiscreet team of Blair enthusiasts determined to give the defining characterisation of the two central figures that defy one-line characterisation, this series, though sometimes navel-gazing, is an incredibly intimate and compelling post-mortem” of Blair and Brown’s relationship “supported by a team of people who evidently all thrived on the drama”.