Rare polar bear footage, strikes, and our other top picks

Hi! I’m Melinda Fakuade, a staff editor on the culture and features team here at Vox. The post-Super bowl, pre-Oscars time of the year can create a bit of a lull in our world, as we prepare for a spring filled with awards and entertainment releases and wacky viral moments and probably some new sparkly celebrity relationships. (Is anyone going to take the spotlight from Travis and Taylor ? Only time will tell.)

Although culture news has been slow this week, that doesn’t mean we’re hibernating — our writers still found interesting topics to cover, from the story of the group behind those eyebrow-raising "He Gets Us" Super Bowl ads to a deep dive on The 5 Love Languages to an explainer on the tiny eyeglasses trend you might’ve seen on social media. It's also been a newsy week for many of my colleagues throughout the newsroom. If you aren’t up to date, now is the perfect time to delve into our other coverage across the site.

I’m so proud of the important, clarifying work my colleagues are doing on topics that include the gig worker strikes, gun violence, climate change, and more. In all parts of the newsroom, Vox writers and editors are producing coverage that explains the world we live in and how to make it a better place. Get caught up, and check out what I think is some of the best coverage we have out this week.

—Melinda Fakuade, culture editor

📹 UV light kills viruses. Why isn't it everywhere?

This informative video, which spawned from senior correspondent Dylan Matthews’s excellent article on the subject, explains the good and bad effects of UV light and why we aren’t using it all the time to eradicate germs everywhere — say to prevent the continued spread of a deadly global pandemic.

Why Lyft and Uber drivers did their largest strike ever

Lyft, Uber, and Doordash workers are striking again for better pay and safety conditions in the face of the companies taking bigger shares of their earnings. If you use any of these services, it’s important you know what’s going on behind the scenes, and this piece from my colleague Li Zhou is illuminating.

Scientists strapped cameras to a bunch of polar bears. The footage is breathtaking — and alarming.

Senior environmental reporter Benji Jones reports on the issues that the shrinking polar bear population is facing in the Arctic. While these fascinating videos seem cute, it’s also sad to see what experts are calling possible “acts of desperation,” as they eat berries and spend more time on land.

We shouldn’t have to live like this

The news of the shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs parade is heartbreaking. Senior correspondent Marin Cogan reminds us that we need to listen to gun violence survivors and activists, and that change is possible — in fact, violence intervention programs and other political and cultural efforts should give us some hope.

🎧 Skipping the broom

This episode of The Weeds explores the reasons for a lower marriage rate among Black Americans and the obstacles that Black women in particular face when it comes to the institution of marriage. As is often the case in this country, a lot of it has to do with money and the history of slavery.

How to make your anger work for you

There’s so much anger in the world, especially online, that isn’t being channeled into anything useful. But if you’re mad about something, you can use those feelings to motivate real change in your life and the lives of others! Senior reporter Allie Volpe explains how we can all be productive participants in an increasingly confusing world.

This email was sent to you. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox’s unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.

View our Privacy Notice and our  Terms of Service.

Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 12, Washington, DC 20036.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.