TOK: Sense perception
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Nike mannequin wars: ‘Obese’. ‘Inspirational’.
Should all shops display plus-sized mannequins? Nike has led the way. But it has started a bitter row with some saying it is glorifying obesity and others praising the move as inspirational.
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Artificial stars could redesign the night sky
Why not re-write the stars? We have the ability. Already, Japan wants to create fake meteor showers, China wants an artificial moon for street lighting and Russia wants to sell advertising.
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Sun, sea and scandal over Love Island return
Should we feel guilty about watching Love Island? The show has been under fire for lack of diversity and exploiting some participants. But millions find it offers harmless fun and escapism.
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‘Idiot’ pro players accused of ruining Fortnite
Season nine is here, with new challenges to explore. However, some players say the game is being ruined by professionals who no longer play fair. Is there any point still trying to win?
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Fake burger that could save the world
Is a meat-free diet to preserve our planet the future of eating? The value of the start-up, Impossible Foods, which makes a convincing alternative meat burger, has soared to $2 billion.
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UK’s Tutankhamun found behind Essex Aldi
The discovery of a “King of Bling” buried with his harp is testament to the riches of Saxon civilisation. Saxons permeated society at every level. Could we call this early pop culture?
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Leonardo: artist, scientist, hipster, genius
This week, 500 years after his death, we honour Leonardo da Vinci, the man who created flying machines, scuba gear and a tennis racket — as well as the most beautiful artworks in history.
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Superhero mania as Avengers: Endgame released
After 11 years and 22 films in the Marvel universe, Avengers: Endgame is finally here. It could be one of the most successful films ever. Why do we love superhero movies so much?
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What we wear: Saving the planet each time we dress
Fashion is the world’s second-most polluting industry after oil, fuelled by our appetite for cheap, low-quality clothing. However, there are small changes you can make to take action.
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Hope rises from the ashes of Notre Dame
The extraordinary global reaction to the huge fire in one of the world’s greatest cathedrals has prompted a profound debate about civilisation, spirituality and the failings of modernity.
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Death of minimalism as home design runs wild and free
For decades, fashionable homes have been styled in muted colours and minimal design. But is our anxiety about the modern world spilling over into bold, disordered self-expression in our homes?
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NASA’s Parker probe makes daring flyby of Sun
The Parker probe has now completed two flybys of the Sun, coming closer to its fiery surface than any man-made object in history. Could the mission unlock the secrets of the Sun?
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Saving the planet one series at a time
Netflix’s breathtaking, multimillion-dollar nature series, Our Planet, presented by David Attenborough, launches today. Many are praising his tireless work campaigning for the environment.
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Record 541 new skyscrapers planned for London
Britain’s newest high-rise gets approval, sparking a war of words. Some think these superstructures are an abomination. Others find them breathtaking: “the point where art and the city meet”.
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Global fury at Brunei’s ‘inhuman’ anti-gay law
Under new laws introduced today in the small Islamic kingdom, gay men face being stoned to death. The international community has condemned the move as “barbaric” and “abhorrent”.