1. Brats are taking over the internet

Charli XCX’s 6th Studio Album BRAT was designed to become a cultural meme. Every element, from the music to the marketing and design, was meticulously crafted with one goal: to create the most iconic record of the year. And boy, did it work.

So how did she pull it off? This excellent video essay by VIDEOGIRL breaks down how the album rollout not only fortified Charli's existing cult fanbase but also reached entirely new audiences, cementing BRAT as a true cultural moment.

2. Who would win: 2017 Serena or 1999 Serena?

This one is from 2022, but I just came across it this week and had to share. When Serena Williams announced her 'evolution' away from tennis, Nike served up an ace of a project showcasing her career development—by pitting Serena against herself.

To do that, Nike harnessed AI to simulate thousands of match-ups (130,000 games and 5,000 matches to be exact) between 1999 Serena, fresh from her first Grand Slam at the US Open, and 2017 Serena, after her most recent Grand Slam victory at the Australian Open.

This digital time-travel tournament not only highlights Williams' incredible growth over two decades but also demonstrates yet again Nike's innovative approach to storytelling.

3. The hidden genius of 90’s movie theater carpets

Ever been mesmerized (or nauseated) by those wild, psychedelic carpets in '90s movie theaters and multiplexes? You know, the ones that looked like a box of crayons had a meltdown? (I see you, Portland airport 👀 ) Well, apparently these floor-based fever dreams actually have a name: Electra-Dye carpets.

Designers Shira Inbar and Julia Dufossé (whom I highly recommend following) decided to unravel this kitschy mystery in Dream Theater, issue 25 of the A24 zine.

Through their research, they uncovered the brilliant idea behind these designs: they were strategic camouflage, expertly hiding spilled drinks, popcorn kernels, cookie crumbs, and general movie theater grime. It's a delightful reminder that sometimes, the most interesting stories are right where we least expect them – like under our buttery, soda-sticky shoes.