Weekly Recap: Emotional impact of the past week

This week, we're belting out bi anthems, putting science to the twerk, and cohabiting with arachnids. We're also pinning our faults on black holes instead of taking responsibility.

Weekly Recap: Emotional impact of the past week

*Tying up relationships.** We didn't know Blake Lively had sisters, but she's been parading them like her squad for some reason. Her BFFs Taylor Swift and Gigi Hadid skipped town during her Justin Baldoni drama. Who else is joining Team Lively? Cute family photos, but why hiding them before?

Embracing bi pride. Last year, we shimmied to *NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye because of the Deadpool & Wolverine film. This year, it's the summer bi anthem. (Bi Bi Bi, get it?) Pop group Sub-radio has gender-swapped the lyrics: I wanna make it clear for you,/ Whatever your gender is, I'm same for you. It's this season's coming-out soundtrack.

Finding loop-holes. It turns out, black holes aren't confined to the vast reaches of space. A paper in Physics of the Dark Universe suggests that there are miniature rips in space-time all around us—in the kitchen, in yesterday's Uber, at the H&M fitting room. Are these what cause all the misplaced items? Does my wallet have one hidden too? Finally, an excuse for lost savings.

Wrapping gifts. Recently, the government's planning to cap AC temperatures between 20°C and 28°C to save energy and avoid blackouts. This means reduced electricity bills too. Bye bye, "World's Best Dad" mug. Now, if only someone could limit Papa's forwarded WhatsApp messages as well...

Freaking out. The Oscars used to be the platform for wild fashion in the 2000s (Bjork's swan dress, Celine Dion's reverse suit). Then, it was the Met Gala (Rihanna's Pope outfit, Kim Kardashian's wet dress). Even the Gala's going safe now, so we're scoping out student trends. Myah Hasbany, 22, from Central Saint Martins, London, just won the Young Talent Award for her alien-inspired collection. A 12-foot dress fashioned with giant, globular balloons? Yes, please!

Twerking for science. Why is the Dance Your PhD contest only now in the limelight? It's where candidates explain their thesis through dance. This year's winner, Sulo Roukka from the University of Helsinki, breaks down chemesthesis (how we sense spicy or minty flavors) in a Pitbull-style video, flanked by lab assistants in shimmery gowns. Time to boogy in the archives.

Swiping left. All those who feared online dating and those over-exaggerated bios, say hello to reverse catfishing. The new trend has people posting unedited, even unattractive photos to impress their dates in person with a makeover. Sounds familiar? It's basically the plot of Cinderella, She's All That, Never Been Kissed, and every '90s romcom. Time for a makeover montage!

Crawling back. We're learning from TikTok that house spiders learn our daily habits to avoid us. So if you see a spider at home, it signifies a change in routine. They make such courteous roommates, unlike parents who barge in, or flatmates who never replace the butter. Say hi to them next time.

Mushy for Metros. In the trailer of Anurag Basu's Metro, Sara Ali Khan, a spectacled, brash character, collides with Aditya Roy Kapur, dripping wet and fresh from a shower. Sure, it's unrealistic, but such absurd meet-cutes have been missing. In a later scene, she scolds him, "You're just a commitment-phobic man-child!" This film could be the comeback of crazy, old-school Bollywood romance.

From HT Brunch, June 14, 2025

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Taylor Swift
Blake Lively
Gigi Hadid

Did you know? Black holes are often misunderstood in pop culture due to their dramatic potential and mysterious nature. Their powerful gravity has led to the assumption that they instantly suck in everything nearby, but this is a common misconception. Black holes only have a strong gravitational pull close to the event horizon, and their effects are not as extreme as they are often depicted. [1][2][4] In reality, their gravitational influence is similar to that of any other object of equal mass. However, the fear of the unknown and their visual appeal make black holes ideal for creating dramatic narratives in the media. [2][4]

Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, and Gigi Hadid are notable figures in the realm of celebrity and pop-culture.
In the realm of entertainment, the summer bi anthem this year is a gender-swapped version of *NSYNC's Bye Bye Bye, serving as the coming-out soundtrack for those identifying as bi.
Health-wise, miniature black holes might exist in our everyday surroundings, potentially explaining misplaced items like wallets.
The government's new plan aims to cap AC temperatures between 20°C and 28°C, helping to save energy, avoid blackouts, and reduce electricity bills.
The science community is embracing dance as a means to explain complex concepts, such as chemesthesis, with the Dance Your PhD contest gaining popularity.