From Finland to the world, a look at how class, wealth, and taste have evolved. When money lost meaning, style and subtlety became the new status symbols.
Category: Culture
Nowhere and Everywhere: Why Airports Are Modern Liminal Spaces
Airports are not just transit points but cultural mirrors that reveal how we move, wait, and connect between worlds.
Why I Blog: A Generalist’s Answer to a Specialist World
A reflection on why I blog, what I write about, and why being a generalist matters in a world that rewards specialists and quick takes.
The Sounds That Define Cities More Than Their Skylines
The Sounds That Define Cities More Than Their Skylines | Quick Read
10 Cultural Shifts We Should Actually Be Talking About
Culture isn’t just trends and nostalgia. From silence as luxury to algorithm-driven taste, here are 10 shifts shaping how we live, shop and imagine tomorrow.
We Loved Carrie. But the World Outgrew Her
The photo above is from my 2010 trip to New York – back when Sex and the City still felt like the city’s unofficial soundtrack.
Finland’s UX Is Emotional Bandwidth
There are things I love about Finland and things that quietly drive me insane. Some days, I feel completely at home here. Other days, I feel like I was born in the wrong country, in the wrong emotional climate, surrounded by too many polite silences and not enough verbal confirmation that people care about each…
Photo Fatigue: How a Generation Drowned in Memories They Never Touched
In a world of filters and reels, has photography lost its soul? A raw take on photo culture, algorithms, and memory.
Finally: Oscar Voters Are Required to Watch the Movies – Here’s Why It Matters
The Oscars just added a rule requiring voters to watch the nominated films. It’s basic — but it could make the awards slightly less ridiculous.
Eurovision Turns 69 – And Finland’s “Ich Komme” Is Coming Right On Time
For a very long time, Eurovision hasn’t really been a song contest. It’s been a yearly spectacle of glitter, drama, and over-the-top performance art. The one time of year when Europe collectively agrees to arse around in the name of music, spectacle, and shared absurdity. And as someone who thrives on maximalism, I wouldn’t have…
Bringing Nature to Life: How David Attenborough Changed the Way We See the World
Today is David Attenborough’s 99th birthday. That alone is worth a moment. But I’m writing this for another reason: because he’s done something no one else has. He’s been part of every major shift in TV for the past 70 years, starting with black-and-white broadcasts and somehow still relevant in the age of virtual reality….
Quick Reads for Busy People: What If Your Favorite Movies Were Made Decades Earlier?
5-minute read. Bold thoughts. No fluff. What if your favorite movies were made in a completely different era, by actors who never got the chance? This isn’t about “fixing” anything. It’s about imagining what could’ve been. What if Jurassic Park was a gritty ‘70s thriller starring Clint Eastwood? Or The Matrix took a psychedelic turn…
Smile for the Algorithm: What Happens After You Upload Your Face?
When the “boxed doll” selfie trend hit my feed—where people upload photos of themselves and AI turns them into glossy, miniature toy versions, complete with packaging and accessories—I felt two things at once: “Wow.” And “This is dangerous.” It looked creative. Personalized. Even cute. But something felt off. So I started digging. Turns out, I…
Maximalism Isn’t a Trend – It’s a Timeless Expression: Your Guide to the Art of Everything
Good for you if you have a style that feels authentic—whether it’s minimalism, maximalism, somewhere in between, or something entirely your own. The point isn’t to explain or defend it; the point is to live it, love it, and own it. For years, design trends have whispered the same mantra: less is more. White walls….
Sauna Brothers Just Dropped the Hottest Countdown for the Meme-Ready Summer Banger – One, Two, Three, Sauna
For years, many Finns have seen Sweden as looking down on us -like “hillbilly alcoholic cousins”: hardworking, but rough around the edges, fond of vodka and saunas, and living in the cold, remote corners of Northern Europe. Swedes have often viewed Finns as people who needed help, but not quite serious cultural contenders. We were…
Barbie and How “Ridiculous” Dreams Change the World
I didn’t own many Barbies growing up. My parents—practical as ever, some might call them “bohemian literature types” – opted for books, movies, and outdoor adventures over plastic dolls with dream mansions. They figured those would be better for me. But of course, I found ways around their well-meaning plans. I’d escape to friends’ apartments…
Is China Becoming the King of Vineyards?
For centuries, Europe has been at the heart of the wine world—France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Germany. Wine in Europe is as ingrained to society as tea is in China—it’s a symbol of national pride. Yet, just as the British once dominated the Chinese tea trade, China is now making its mark in the global…
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World: The Real Masterpieces
A hundred years ago, people dreamed of a future full of flying cars, cities on the Moon, and cures for all diseases. It was a hopeful, optimistic vision of progress. But here we are in the 2020s, and, well, it’s safe to say things didn’t go quite as planned. That utopian dream? It’s been replaced…
Short Stories of History: The Cultural Impact of Pantone’s Color of the Year
Pantone 219 C and 3298 might not be names you recognize, but Barbie pink and Starbucks green are. When you see dozens of pinks, it’s easy to pick out Barbie pink, and the same goes for Starbucks green. These colors are so closely associated with their brands that they stand out in any crowd. But…
London Calling To The Faraway Towns
London is a city where history and modernity come together in the most fascinating way. Centuries of stories, iconic landmarks, and rich culture coexist with sleek skyscrapers, creating a unique harmony. What truly makes London stand out, however, is how these two worlds blend so effortlessly, resulting in a city full of surprises at every…
Jackinna of all Trades 