Society and culture

Alicia McKay writes op-ed commentary, media analysis and political critique, combining a systems lens with working-class edge. Technology, culture, media and politics.

Knitting

Six terrific books to add to your pile, a reflection on why you're probably a disproportionate asshole in your relationships and a hopeful note on AI in a late-capitalist wasteland.

By Alicia McKay

/ 26 May 2023

Are you on the right side of history?

On staying humble in our moral conviction, given what historical assholes we probably all are.

By Alicia McKay

/ 24 May 2023

Saving time

This week's Friday Flurry goes deep on Jenny Odell's new book, and gets a bit meta. What is time, what is it for, and how healthy is your relationship with it? Is that your fault? (Spoiler: no.)

By Alicia McKay

/ 19 May 2023

Guilt, fashion and general dread

If you're a worrier who feels weird about fashion, you're not alone.

By Alicia McKay

/ 12 May 2023

Stop being so damn nice

7 reasons why being polite/nice is a terrible idea, including inequality, inauthenticity and... being boring.

By Alicia McKay

/ 2 May 2023

Why women are so bloody exhausted right now

Hint: it's patriarchy. Men - read this to find out why the vaccuum cleaner is always out.

By Alicia McKay

/ 26 Apr 2023

Why women are so bloody exhausted right now

WTF, Netflix?

Teenage sex, child sexual abuse, and a very queasy entertainment genre.

By Alicia McKay

/ 16 Apr 2023

Gyms are weird

Gym bodies: a healthy goal, the ultimate class signifier, an oddity of late stage capitalism, or all three?

By Alicia McKay

/ 15 Apr 2023

The Alicia McKay Show

Catch up on episodes of the Alicia McKay show

By Alicia McKay

/ 21 Nov 2022

Inciting incidents

The Queen's death is a powerful inciting incident. An opportunity to ask important collective questions about our history and the kind of society we want to live in. Is it time for you to muse?

By Alicia McKay

/ 15 Sep 2022

Unwinnable games

Some games can't be won, and need the rules need changing. Stop trying to optimise yourself and start tearing down the structures that keep you trapped.

By Alicia McKay

/ 7 Sep 2022

Truth is, I'm rash.

I'm good at walking out. I make snap decisions on gut feeling, and sometimes that comes back to bite me.

By Alicia McKay

/ 31 Jul 2022