Zoe Williams

Zoe Williams humorously describes her struggle to accept that her eldest son is about to leave home for university. Although she supported his exams and preparations, she has emotionally continued to imagine him as a young child, monitoring his movements through a tracking app and worrying about his safety. The experience highlights the ambivalence of empty nesting, as parents celebrate their children’s independence while confronting the sadness and disorientation of letting them go.

Anthony Bourdain's vivid portrayal of drug-fuelled, hyper-masculine restaurant kitchens made him an icon for chefs and outsiders, but also helped romanticise self-destruction, bullying and exclusion. Chefs and writers acknowledge the energy and solidarity of that culture while describing its costs, including addiction, depression, sexism, racism and abuse. The hospitality industry is increasingly moving toward mental-health support, self-care and more intellectual, structured kitchens, challenging the pirate ethos Bourdain once embodied without eliminating the intensity of professional cooking.

Retired Labour-voting headteacher Steph and police officer Steve, who recently voted for Reform UK, discover strong personal rapport while disagreeing over Nigel Farage, Rupert Lowe, Andy Burnham, Kemi Badenoch and immigration. Steph condemns Farage’s rhetoric as divisive and believes asylum and immigration concerns are exaggerated, whereas Steve supports tighter asylum controls but accepts legal immigration and contributions from migrants. They nevertheless find some limited common ground and expect to remain in contact.

Zoe Williams examines competing portrayals of London, from the left-wing image of a faceless, neoliberal capital to the right-wing depiction of a violent, multicultural “Londonistan.” She questions whether Prime Ministerial and Andy Burnham-linked criticism of London amounts to anti-capital sentiment, while noting that proposed tax powers for regional mayors could benefit Sadiq Khan. The column argues that these stereotypes rely more on political feeling and myth than evidence, even as Williams concedes that Londoners may lack gentleness and humility.

AI-enabled smart lamp-posts being developed by Conflow Power Group could combine solar power, cameras, facial and number-plate recognition, behavioural analysis and distributed computing. Although the technology is promoted as a way to fight crime and locate missing people, experts question whether British conditions provide enough power or technical and economic viability for its more ambitious functions. Big Brother Watch warns that facial recognition differs fundamentally from passive CCTV, can enable real-time identification and may expand through software updates without meaningful public consent. The article also highlights risks of misidentification, discriminatory behavioural analysis, unclear data ownership and the danger of creating surveillance infrastructure that future governments could misuse. Public reaction remains broadly accepting, suggesting that privacy concerns may be outweighed by perceived safety and convenience unless stronger safeguards and accountability are introduced.

Zoe Williams argues that Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey removes or substantially minimizes the sexual encounters that help explain Odysseus's long journey home, including his relationships with Circe and Calypso and the erotic implications of the sirens. She suggests the film replaces these elements with a trauma-based explanation for his absence, but finds that explanation inconsistent with the story's climactic mass killing of Penelope's suitors. The piece concludes that modernizing the epic through marital fidelity and psychological realism strips away some of its essential darkness and complexity.

Television dramas such as the BBC’s The Rapture and Apple’s Criminal Record appear strikingly prescient in depicting extreme weather, far-right violence and political division. Zoe Williams argues that writers and novelists often recognize trends that politicians avoid acknowledging, including the escalating climate crisis, billionaire preparations for catastrophe and the fragmentation of civic life. The article concludes that political leaders’ refusal to confront these realities is more remarkable than the creative works’ foresight.

Anton Jäger outlines a framework of four political eras to explain contemporary hyperpolitics, a period marked by intense activism without institutional grounding, where movements surge rapidly but achieve little durable change. He links the decline of institutional politics to union-busting, cultural shifts and neoliberal individualism, arguing that both left and right now lack organised bases, with right-wing movements buoyed mainly by wealth. Jäger contends that Trumpism reflects Bonapartism rather than fascism, emerging from liberalism’s crisis rather than leftist strength. The analysis concludes with concerns about rebuilding political institutions amid widespread scepticism, despite heightened public political consciousness.

Zoe Williams humorously describes how her elderly stepmother lavishly praises ordinary abilities, from getting out of a car to pairing devices and lifting plant pots. The constant admiration boosts Williams’s mood but, over longer visits, inflates her ego until she starts imagining she is unusually capable; her occasional mistakes provide her stepmother with an equally welcome dose of schadenfreude.

Long-term unemployment is rising across age groups, with older women disproportionately affected and younger workers facing shrinking entry-level opportunities linked to AI-driven hiring changes. Personal accounts highlight widespread frustration as applications go unanswered and caregiving pressures intensify midlife job instability. AI adoption contributes to reduced starter roles, creating future talent gaps, while workers of all ages remain anxious in a strained labor market. Open discussion is presented as essential to countering isolation and recognizing unemployment as a systemic problem rather than an individual failing.

A startup offering self-swab rape kits is criticised by charities and police, who warn that such kits may mislead survivors about admissible evidence and divert them from formal support services. The existence of the kits is framed as a symptom of a deeper crisis in the UK’s handling of sexual violence, marked by extremely low reporting and charge rates, widespread distrust of the justice system, and societal tendencies to doubt victims. Government statistics indicate far higher levels of sexual assault than official reports capture, underscoring systemic failure rather than scaremongering by the company. Persistent rape myths, low conviction rates and cultural discomfort with acknowledging sexual violence contribute to survivors avoiding official channels, highlighting a broader collapse of confidence in the state’s ability to deliver justice.

A Conservative social media manager and a left‑leaning transport psychology researcher discuss contentious issues including Palestine Action, sentencing for recent protests, the UK pensions triple lock, and the Rwanda asylum scheme. Their disagreements highlight contrasting views on activism, government policy, and human rights, but the conversation leads both to reconsider aspects of their assumptions—William questioning the sustainability of the triple lock and Hugo recognising shared values. Both conclude with mutual respect and a continued connection.

Ruth Madeley discusses leading the BBC thriller The Rapture, executive producing for the first time and portraying Gabs, a recently paralysed clinical psychologist confronting grief, climate-related catastrophe and a hostile care environment. Born with spina bifida, Madeley reflects on how her own experience as a wheelchair user informed the role and argues that television still lacks disabled directors, producers and department heads despite improving representation. She recounts moving from disability campaigning and BBC scriptwriting work into acting, her breakthrough in Years and Years, her Doctor Who role and her growing ambitions as a writer. Madeley also emphasizes the importance of showing disabled characters as sexually active and fully rounded, while describing the uncertainty she once felt about earning a living solely through acting.

Flight attendants describe a rise in air rage and misconduct since the Covid pandemic, with drunkenness, sexual harassment, abusive behaviour, vaping and refusal to follow safety instructions among the main problems. Testimony from cabin crew, alongside IATA and Unite data, highlights widespread harassment of staff, weak employer responses and the difficulty of preventing repeat offenders from simply flying with another airline. Crew also face deteriorating working conditions, intense schedules, unpaid cleaning duties and commission-related conflicts, making the job physically and emotionally exhausting.

Andy Burnham secures enough Labour MP endorsements to prevent a leadership challenge and is set to become prime minister once Keir Starmer resigns. The transition is portrayed as ceremonial and unusually optimistic, with concerns that heightened national hope—especially if boosted by an England World Cup win—could lead to inflated expectations and inevitable disappointment. Burnham’s success is framed as dependent on maintaining normalcy and managing public sentiment during an unusually charged political moment.

Sam Neill is remembered with warmth and admiration through reflections on his openness, humour and candid views during a 2024 interview. He spoke with unusual frankness about his work, Hollywood, and his preference for life on his New Zealand farm, shaped in part by his experience with cancer treatment. His career highlights included arthouse films, international blockbusters and a deep pride in Possession. Despite his criticisms of aspects of the film industry, he remained enthusiastic about acting and continued to work extensively, driven by the appeal of opportunities that reached far beyond his rural origins.

Zoe Williams humorously describes the increasingly strict expectations placed on homeowners preparing properties for sale. Estate agents now expect homes to appear almost hotel-like and devoid of personal signs of life, including toiletries, medication, toilet paper, dog beds, clutter and even teenagers. Williams contrasts these standards with earlier experiences of selling property and argues that the staged image of a “turnkey” home is artificial, especially since buyers will ultimately inherit a lived-in space rather than a showroom.

A childhood family holiday in Mallorca becomes an uncomfortable trek through heat and construction sites after a mother rejects resort activities in search of the island’s authentic side, leaving her two children sunburned, dehydrated and longing for poolside fun.

Chris Packham discusses Evolution, his new five-part BBC series tracing life from the last universal common ancestor through major evolutionary developments such as breathing, feeding, reproduction, thought and movement. He challenges human assumptions about evolutionary progress by highlighting animal intelligence and the complexity of seemingly simple organisms. The conversation also addresses climate breakdown, biodiversity loss and human responsibility for what Packham calls a conscious “mass extermination” of life. Despite the severity of the environmental crisis, he argues that life is remarkably resilient and calls for an evolution of human hope and a more harmonious relationship with the planet.

A vape battery in a handbag short-circuited against a set of keys and ignited, melting personal items but causing no harm. Conflicting advice about handling the damaged lithium battery followed until a chemistry teacher clarified the risks. The incident highlighted the danger of carrying spare batteries improperly and, humorously, the potential usefulness of such an accidental heat source in a survival situation.

England’s unexpected World Cup victory briefly lifts the author from a long‑cultivated pessimism shaped by years of political shocks, global crises and social turmoil. Reflections on past decades contrast earlier, more manageable controversies with the cascade of disasters since 2016, highlighting how constant upheaval has diminished the capacity for optimism. Sport emerges as one of the few remaining sources of genuine unpredictability and joy, especially when untainted by unfairness or political manipulation.

Andy Burnham is presented as a politician with a clearer mission and stronger political skills than his predecessor, Keir Starmer. Supporters from various Labour factions project differing expectations onto him, though these cannot all be fulfilled. His perceived strengths include authenticity, cross‑party cooperation, and effective management of party dynamics. The column contrasts these attributes with Starmer’s lack of mission and weaker political instincts. Burnham’s success will hinge on demonstrating leadership without succumbing to the pitfalls of political manoeuvring, offering at least the promise of direction that his predecessor lacked.

A parent humorously reflects on how the rise of American-style prom culture in Britain has made her resemble her own mother, who disliked imported traditions such as Halloween. She critiques the fashion pressures, lack of drama, and absence of alcohol at modern proms, noting generational shifts and cultural adoption while expressing nostalgia and amusement at her transformation.

A return to reading fiction becomes transformative as an absorbing novel rekindles a lost enthusiasm for storytelling. Reflections on literary culture, reading habits, and the divide between highbrow and middlebrow writing highlight how a compelling book can cut through distraction and revive deep engagement. The delay of sequels and other authors' publishing gaps sparks frustration, yet renewed excitement for fiction persists.

Erin Brockovich is mounting a national and international campaign against rapidly expanding AI datacentres, which she argues are being approved without transparency, strain local water supplies, damage ecosystems, and saddle communities with rising utility costs. Thousands of residents have contacted her with concerns, prompting her to map datacentre development across the US and highlight widespread secrecy, zoning changes and lawsuits used to pressure local governments. She warns that the enormous water and energy demands of these centers threaten long-term environmental sustainability, especially in drought-prone regions, and calls for case-by-case moratoriums and thorough environmental-impact assessments. Brockovich underscores the bipartisan nature of resistance and believes that collective community action and legal pressure remain the most effective tools for accountability.

Nathan Outlaw reflects on his career and renewed commitment to simple, ingredient-led seafood cooking while demonstrating a recipe for steamed brill with pea, shallot and cider stew. He emphasizes choosing fresh fish, careful preparation, and straightforward techniques, alongside practical tips ranging from freezing seafood to using a bamboo steamer. His new book highlights a return to bistro-style cooking and showcases his philosophy that simplicity often produces the best results.

Cory Doctorow argues that AI’s perceived threats stem less from technological capability and more from a longstanding desire by corporate leaders to replace workers, maintain control and attract investment. He dismisses claims of AI consciousness, portraying AI as a statistical tool exaggerated by hype, insecurity and financial incentives. He warns that the rapidly growing AI investment bubble could cause widespread economic harm when it inevitably bursts, disproportionately affecting the public rather than investors. Doctorow criticizes tech leaders such as Elon Musk and Sam Altman for promoting apocalyptic narratives, which sustain investment despite repeated failures in automation. He emphasizes that real risks lie not in AI superintelligence but in the social and economic structures that encourage exploiting labor, eroding worker autonomy and inflating speculative bubbles.

A humorous reflection on gardeners’ conversations, portrayed as sounding mischievous and coded, inspired by memories of a rule‑breaking uncle whose past plant‑related exploits shaped the author’s fascination with gardening chatter.

Reported use of a therapy ferret to kill a rat at Wetherby young offenders institution highlights severe sanitation and welfare failures within youth custody. Accounts of vermin infestations and past cases of prisoners exposed to rodents illustrate systemic neglect that undermines rehabilitation and trust. The argument advances that if humane conditions cannot be guaranteed, particularly for children, youth incarceration should be ended or radically restructured.

Joyce Carol Oates reflects on her life, writing and new short‑story collection The Frenzy, exploring themes of loss, adolescence, violence and artistic identity. She discusses public attention from her criticism of Elon Musk, her experiences with bereavement, her views on American politics and society, and her lifelong focus on observing human behavior rather than engaging in activism. The conversation highlights the emotional depth of her work and her belief in the individuality of human experiences amid social and political turbulence.

Historic anti‑globalisation protests are contrasted with a weakened G7 marked by disunity, insecurity among leaders and the outsized influence of concentrated private wealth. Demonstrators target extreme inequality, symbolised by the burning of a Tesla and Elon Musk’s expanding fortune, while governments appear reluctant to confront powerful private interests. U.S. unpredictability under Donald Trump further undermines cohesion, leaving leaders projecting unity despite visible fractures.

A ferry promotion offering a free day‑trip ticket with €150 of duty‑free purchases leads to repeated low‑cost crossings between Dover and Dunkirk, allowing stock‑ups on wine and sweets while turning travel into a routine blend of work, leisure and bargain‑hunting.

Argues that ageing gracefully has less to do with appearance and wellness rules and more to do with updating habits like listening attentively, avoiding pettiness on social media and abandoning outdated self-criticisms about diet or lifestyle. Highlights the pitfalls of clinging to obsolete cultural assumptions and encourages embracing delight, openness and self-awareness in later life.

Laverne Cox recounts the trauma of her childhood, her transition, and the hostility she has faced as a Black trans woman, while warning of escalating political threats to transgender rights under the Trump administration. She describes the emotional difficulty of writing her memoir, reflects on her career from New York’s 1990s club scene to Orange Is the New Black, and details the recent collapse of her income as institutions retreat from LGBTQ‑related work. Cox links current policies to Project 2025 and to historical patterns of persecution, arguing that trans people are being systematically targeted and stripped of rights.

Two people with differing political perspectives discuss the Israel-Gaza conflict, antisemitism within the Green Party, and views on the UK monarchy. Their exchange highlights disagreements over the use of the word genocide, concerns over rising antisemitism, and differing assessments of political risks posed by the Greens. Despite initial tension, they find some common ground on social issues and part amicably, though with no plans to stay connected.

David Hockney’s lifelong devotion to smoking shaped his public persona, artistic identity and frequent clashes with institutions, from the Paris Metro’s ban on promotional images to UK smoking regulations. He embraced the habit despite medical warnings, often framing restrictions as intolerance and writing repeatedly to challenge anti‑smoking measures. His views intertwined with reflections on personal history, artistic influences and broader social shifts. Although the health impacts affected him late in life, his final works and relationships reflected a continued sense of conviction and contentment in his choices.

Madonna’s 10‑minute Confessions II film presents a surreal collage of imagery, celebrity cameos and club‑culture symbolism, blending humour, sexuality and visual chaos to explore desire, identity and communal energy. Appearances by Sabrina Carpenter, Kate Moss, Odessa A’Zion, Gwendoline Christie, Benedict Cumberbatch and others contribute to themes of multiplicity and liberation, while recurring motifs such as lasers, toilets, masks and bananas reinforce the playful, anarchic atmosphere.

Concerns grow over the safety and fairness of US immigration enforcement ahead of the World Cup as players and fans face visa denials and potential ICE raids. The treatment of Swiss player Breel Embolo and reports of fans being refused entry highlight accusations of racial bias and political screening. Activists, including Shaista Aziz and the Stop Trump Coalition, argue the situation reflects a broader pattern of pathological governance under the Trump administration. The tournament becomes a stage where government overreach, discrimination, and authoritarian tendencies are tested and exposed.

A group of friends who want to meet regularly but cannot agree on reading choices settle on sharing and analysing their problematic text messages instead, finding it a humorous and engaging alternative to a traditional book club.