It's All Good, Man.

‘Trolling’ has been given a bad name in recent times by faceless morons on the internet. However, this fails to show the proper deference for trolls who have perfected their crafts in a more refined, Andy Kaufman-like manner. Lil Nas X is one such troll. Ever since bursting onto the scene as a singing, rapping, gay cowboy, he has intentionally and unapologetically wound up all the people who dislike him, and he’s done so by turning up the volume on all the idiosyncrasies of his personality that those very people find so disagreeable. His latest troll – which would get the thumbs up from Saul Goodman – comes in the form of a billboard campaign across LA in which Mr. X adopts the role of a lawyer offering compensation to those who have been ‘wronged’ by his antics. It’s a bit like those ‘Have you been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault?’ adverts, except they’re aimed at people who, rather than falling off a ladder, have smacked their heads against the wall in fury after seeing a rapper/country singer giving Satan a lap dance in a music video. And the links on each of the billboards take you to the pre-sale site for his album. Top level shithousery all round.

Wedding Crasher.

The lengths some people will go to just to not have to turn up to a wedding are astounding. This woman did a full-on Obi Wan Kenobi impression just to spare herself from having to decide between the chicken or fish. Alas, that isn’t an entirely accurate depiction of events – but the Obi Wan Kenobi stuff is pretty bloody close. Turns out holograms aren’t just for Jedi Knights and deceased Kardashians, as this week an absent bridesmaid was able to appear as a guest at a wedding in Canada without having to leave sunny London. It’s hard to tell if this is impressive or if it just accommodates people who can’t be bothered to go to parties. Although she did have to turn up to a studio, whack a dress on, go through hair and make-up, and grab a glass of champagne at 3am, so I guess she can’t be accused of laziness. Unless this was at the end of a night out, which would explain the champers and the enthusiasm.

Don't Touch.

From my experience, acting upon a burning desire to get really close to a particular painting is a sure-fire way to get you forcibly removed from an art gallery. But sometimes you don’t just want to see the art, you want to feel it – which is also deemed an insufficient explanation by the heavy-handed security guard. However, Invasiona Creativa have created a way in which you can not only get close to but can travel within some of the world’s most famous paintings. Using 3D mapping techniques, the Italian design studio have turned paintings by the likes of Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo – that’s one half of the teenage mutant ninja turtles – Caravaggio, and Edvard Munch into fully explorable landscapes and three-dimensional panoramas. All in the name of challenging typical perspectives and forcing people to reimagine their relationship with art. And to get handsy tourists to keep grubby fingerprints off the Mona Lisa.

Got the Hump.

It can be hard to tell where you stand with modern art – or, in the case of the above story, where you stand in it. However, archaeologists have just discovered a simpler form of art that needs very little interpretation or explanation. It’s just a massive camel, init. But it’s not just any massive camel – it’s a really old, massive camel. 8,000 years old (ish) to be precise (ish), thus making it significantly older than Stonehenge and Danny Dyer’s favourite pyramids in Giza. Having originally estimated it to be a measly 2,000 years old, the 14 scientists leading the excavation then used a combination of luminescence and X-ray technology to determine the true age of the majestic beast. Granted, it’s not the prettiest camel you’ve ever seen, but imagine how you’d look at 8,000-years-old. Although one commenter seems convinced that this is actually an ancient depiction of the AT-AT’s from Star Wars, which would admittedly be far more impressive.

Bit Cloudy, Init?

20 years ago, the prospect of a caravanning holiday probably would have caused some children to call child services. However, in the context of a world where a trip abroad might land you with a subsequent 2-week quarantine, the appetite for more local holidays has grown. And, for some people, that means driving around in a place where you also eat, sleep, and carry out all of your various daily ablutions. The downside, though, is that driving about all day isn’t exactly great for the environment. But one resource that has no such drawback: the sun. Well, it is the thing absolutely guaranteed to eventually destroy us and the entire solar system, but just ignore that for now. Some Dutch university students have harnessed the power of that big ball of gas to create a solar-powered mobile home. The ‘Stella Vita’ – which isn’t a new type of healthy lager – can travel up to 730 km on a sunny day. Impressive, but note the word ‘sunny’. Based off the summer we’ve just had, that means you might be able to get to the shops and back.

the re-up: Digital Communities.

SELFHOOD have been talking to their collective about digital communities lately. Check out their latest re-up episode chatting about what they’ve found.

Digital communities were already thriving, but restrictions in the physical world have only amplified their prevalence and interconnectedness. Forged by technology and globalisation, they are intrinsically worldwide – resulting in surprising, fluid and ever-evolving subcultures. Even as the real world gets back on track, these digital communities are stronger than ever and will continue to grow post-pandemic – so it’s time for brands to understand them.