Taboo on the Bus

Physical media will not replace your phone (is ‘analog’ the next internet micro-trend…)Taboo OFF the Bus is back! Woo! `Sit down with me today to discuss the rapid rise of the 'analog' trend and return to physical media. We're watching rising consumption of DVDs, CD's, resorts back to old generation Apple IPods and IPhones, and all it says is that we are fed up with the current state of technology, AI, and brain-rot content. But will this rising consumption lead to overconsumption? Will physical media fall to the same 'micro-trend' fate of Labubu's, or Stanely cups - hyped, over-consumed, then discarded on to the next trend? Let's discuss the fate of physical media, and where it I think this is heading...Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: whatzaraloves@gmail.com

The first episode of Taboo Off the Bus, the deep-dive longform version of Taboo ON the Bus. Today let’s talk about the downfall of social media and realising it IS the damn phone. I dug out my old nokia flip phone today and speculate whether I could go back to the flip phone, why it is so hard to delete social media, and if the girls who have deleted TikTok and ran to Substack are doing it right?  Thank you for all of the love on Taboo on the Bus, I hope you enjoy the longer version from bed!! xoxo

I got down the rabbit-hole of Mayfair clubbing and the whole ordeal of 'free' nights out. Is it really free when you are doing 'unpaid aesthetic labor', or is it feminist to maximise this system?

Deep-diving the hatred I've seen of Emma Chamberlain's new haircut and discussing how I think it is allll tied to hating when teenage girls evolve into women. Also drawing some parallels between Miley and Emma, all from the front seat of the bus

I saw a podcast clip of a bunch of girls saying how they'd never date a bisexual guy, and how that is "gay", and I've never jumped to research an episode sooner. Sit with me on the bus to chat about the stigma against bi girls and boys, ft a very interesting study that was done to prove if bisexual men even exist???

The recent breakup of Anna Paul and Glenn Thomson sparked an intense public cry out that got me questioning the ways in which we react the breakups of public figures online. Is it normal to cry over the split of a couple who don’t know you exist? Let’s talk this taboo on the bus

With the rise of the ‘rotten girl aesthetic’, I wanted to sit on the bus and analyse how we perceive this authentic, unfiltered content online and how it can differ from one creator to another. I’ve noticed there is a real pretty privilege in being ‘gross’ online, and how not all creators are equally accepted for doing the same thing. The middle aged, male bus driver was definitely confused as to what I was on about with this episode.

Sit down on the bus with me for the mini digest of physical media, 'analog', and going offline. (Long episode OFF the bus will be live today) We're watching rising consumption of DVDs, CD's, resorts back to old generation Apple IPods and IPhones, and all it says is that we are fed up with the current state of technology, AI, and brain-rot content. But will this rising consumption lead to overconsumption? Will physical media fall to the same 'micro-trend' fate of Labubu's, or Stanely cups - hyped, over-consumed, then discarded on to the next trend? Let's discuss the fate of physical media, and where it I think this is heading...Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: whatzaraloves@gmail.com

I cannot escape the deep, seething hatred and humour online surrounding women ‘looking old’. Girls feel pretty and post online only to be attacked for ageing and appearing older than they are. It is an inescapable trap that we all fall to as women, yet we are continuing to tear down each other instead of challenging these expectations within wider society and from the very capitalistic anti-ageing industry. Let’s sit down today to discuss why we are so scared of ageing as women, how society treats ageing women, the paradox of ‘natural’ Botox, and unpicking the anti-ageing industry.  I really loved dissecting this topic, it feels like a very fitting follow up to the episode I previously did discussing whether we can view cosmetic procedures and Botox from a feminist lense. Email – ⁠⁠whatzaraloves@gmail.com⁠⁠ Reading list/mentions:https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a38813523/baby-botox/Facing Age: Women Growing Older in Anti-Aging Culture - By Laura Hurd ClarkeHolstein, M. B. (2001). A feminist perspective on anti-aging medicine. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 25(4), 38-43. https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/c-firma-fresh-day-serum-MUK200031988.html

Join me on the bus for the mini-deep-dive version of this week's topic. Full 40 min version is live too!I cannot escape the deep, seething hatred and humour online surrounding women ‘looking old’. Girls feel pretty and post online only to be attacked for ageing and appearing older than they are. It is an inescapable trap that we all fall to as women, yet we are continuing to tear down each other instead of challenging these expectations within wider society and from the very capitalistic anti-ageing industry.Let’s sit down today to discuss why we are so scared of ageing as women, how society treats ageing women, the paradox of ‘natural’ botox, and unpicking the anti-ageing industry. I really loved dissecting this topic, it feels like a very fitting follow up to the episode I previously did discussing whether we can view cosmetic procedures and Botox from a feminist lense. Reading list/mentions:https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a38813523/baby-botox/Facing Age: Women Growing Older in Anti-Aging Culture - By Laura Hurd ClarkeHolstein, M. B. (2001). A feminist perspective on anti-aging medicine. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 25(4), 38-43.https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/c-firma-fresh-day-serum-MUK200031988.html

A reddit forum titled: ‘My Boyfriend is AI’ recently gathered a lot of attention, leading me down the rabbit hole of relationships with humanised chatbots. Millions are forging intimate, emotional connections and relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots, creating boyfriends, girlfriends, best-friends, deceased replicas, and more, and today I sat down to analyse it. Is it ethical to build apps and systems that sell relationships to potentially vulnerable or lonely users? Users who will never own that connection, and rest solely upon tech companies not stripping that away now… We’re fashioning towards a society where the elderly will cure loneliness with chatbot partners, and women are ditching Hinge and failed talking stages for the chatbot man of their dreams.  Let’s deep dive this from both and ethical and moral perspective, considering the risks, the harms, and the alternatives to artificial connections. Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-171924338 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Podcast: Taboo on the BusEmail: collective@bricksmagazine.co.ukReading/Referance List:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-023-00348-8https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/15/she-helps-cheer-me-up-the-people-forming-relationships-with-ai-chatbotshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/30/replika-ai-chatbot-update/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/27/nx-s1-5073962/exploring-concerns-around-users-building-emotional-dependence-on-ai-chatbotshttps://jamesmuldoon.orghttps://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

Join me on the bus for a mini version of this episode as we dissect the ethics and harms of forging relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots. Longer episode is also live for a fuller, broader deep dive. A reddit forum titled: ‘My Boyfriend is AI’ recently gathered a lot of attention, leading me down the rabbit hole of relationships with humanised chatbots. Millions are forging intimate, emotional connections and relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots, creating boyfriends, girlfriends, best-friends, deceased replicas, and more, and today I sat down to analyse it. Is it ethical to build apps and systems that sell relationships to potentially vulnerable or lonely users? Users who will never own that connection, and rest solely upon tech companies not stripping that away now… We’re fashioning towards a society where the elderly will cure loneliness with chatbot partners, and women are ditching Hinge and failed talking stages for the chatbot man of their dreams.  Let’s deep dive this from both and ethical and moral perspective, considering the risks, the harms, and the alternatives to artificial connections. Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-171924338 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Podcast: Taboo on the BusEmail: ⁠collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk⁠Reading/Referance List:⁠https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-023-00348-8⁠⁠https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/15/she-helps-cheer-me-up-the-people-forming-relationships-with-ai-chatbots⁠https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/30/replika-ai-chatbot-update/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/27/nx-s1-5073962/exploring-concerns-around-users-building-emotional-dependence-on-ai-chatbotshttps://jamesmuldoon.orghttps://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629-       Broken Plate 2025 https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025-       https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16-       The Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – ⁠whatzaraloves@gmail.com⁠ 

Full deep-dive episode is also live, join me on the bus for a mini discussion. here.Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) ⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629⁠-       Broken Plate 2025 ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025⁠-       ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16⁠-       The Guardian article: ⁠https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com⁠  Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – ⁠collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk⁠ 

I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Queerbaiting actually stems from a media realm, which I discuss with reference to Sherlock, and the pipeline from queerbait to fan fiction.  Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6email - whatzaraloves@gmail.com

[Mini bus bus episode, full deep dive is also live]I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6Email: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk  

Alongside the longform podcast deepdive, here is the bus version of this week's episode. Inspired by Laura Bate’s new book: The New Age of Sexism, I sat down today to analyse how the interaction between society and AI girlfriends/robots/cyber women is ultimately going to be at the detriment of us all. Is it really a good thing that men are now ‘redirecting’ abuse and harm towards AI women? Is that really sparing the rest of us?  Or we creating spaces and systems that tolerate and withstand abuse, creating if anything, a pathway towards further abuse and harm of women every day.  I take a look at existing technologies such as Alexa’s and Chat Robots to understand this correlation, giving you a deep insight into this important conversation. It will truly change your perspective on a lotttt of things. Laura Bate’s new book: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-New-Age-of-Sexism/Laura-Bates/9781471190483 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Email: collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk 

Hello loves! This is somewhat a deep dive in to my dissertation topic and pulling in some of my own research. I sat down in the long episode today to discuss why we can’t just replicate Grindr for women and expect it to foster the same culture. We analyse the differences in hookup/dating app culture between queer men and women, and how these intertwine with dating app design. Someone please just let me design a dating app for the gay girls, I beg!! Tiktok – Whatzaraloves6Instagram – WhatzaralovesEmail – collective@bricksmagazine.co.uk

If your feminism only caters to white, middle class, cis women — is it really feminism? In this episode, we talk about white feminism: a version of feminism that often only represents the experiences of white, cis, middle-class women — leaving out women of colour, LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women, and those impacted by class, colonialism, and systemic oppression.  From the exclusion of Black women in the suffragette movement (something your history teacher might not have mentioned) to the often pink, commodified feminism we see from large figures today — let’s deep dive the history and current displays of white feminism, looking at:⁃            What is white-feminism?⁃            the Suffragette’s exclusion of black women⁃            choice feminism⁃            Pop culture figure, influencers, and white feminism⁃            How to be more intersectional in your approach This episode was largely collective from the Taboo on the Bus community to be as inclusive and considerate to everyone’s viewpoints and experiences as possible. I understand I am a white woman and aim to be contributing to this conversation without taking space away from more important voices. Please use this as a potential basepoint, or small part of your understanding, and consider the voices, stories, and input from those more affected by these issues from marginalised communities. Reading list below! This episode isn’t about shaming individual women — it’s about encouraging all of us to think more critically, be more intersectional, and hold ourselves (and the people we look up to) to a higher standard. #tabooonthebus #whitefeminism #intersectionalfeminism #popfeminism #suffragettehistory #genderequality #choicefeminism Reading list: BOOK Ain't I a woman : black women and feminism hooks, bell, 1952-2021. Main stock ; 305.4208996073 Me, not you : the trouble with mainstream feminism Phipps, Alison, author. The Right to Sex: Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2022 Kindle Edition by Amia Srinivasan “Diversity Within”: The Problems with “Intersectional” White Feminism in Practice Christoffersen, Ashlee ; Emejulu, Akwugo Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot Hardcover –by Mikki Kendall (Author White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour Paperback – 21 Oct. 2021 by Ruby Hamad (Author) Your silence will not protect you Lorde, Audre, author. 2017 Bad Feminist Paperback – 21 Aug. 2014 by Roxane Gay (Author) What a tine to be alone - What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough Chidera Eggerue

Join me to dissect and discuss whether filler, Botox, and aesthetic cosmetic procedures can be considered 'feminist'? While it may empower you, and be your choice, can we call that feminist when it is largely rooted in upholding harmful beauty standards? I take a look down the lense of gender, class, and race to dissect this question, referencing the works of Dana Berkowitz and Margaret Hunter. Let me know your thoughts… Again, clarifying that this is not an individual attack on individuals who get these procedures. It is an unpack of the wider system these are part of and the standards/expectations of women that they ultimately uphold.  instagram: whatzaralovestiktok: whatzaraloves6show: Taboo on the BusEmail me: collective@bricksmagazine.co.ukreferences:https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2016/12/30/botox-gender-and-the-emotional-lobotomy/https://jpanafrican.org/docs/vol4no4/HUNTER%20Final.pdfhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/audio/2016/oct/15/when-womens-rights-meet-botox-what-would-a-feminist-do