From banning Elf Bars to the demise of Twitter, it’s been another classic year for the worst opinions on the internet. Who amongst us can forget takes like “sex scenes are problematic”, “polyamory is toxic” or “we must all now yassify each other to retain anonymity”. Many such cases. If somehow you managed to miss this year’s bad faith arguments and diatribes, then lucky you! If somehow you managed to miss the better parts of online discourse though, then also lucky you, because we’ve compiled a list of our best op-eds of 2023, the ones worth reading and remembering because they’re well argued and not insane. Well, not very insane. You’re welcome!
In defence of sleazy art
Is the rush to dismiss TV shows, books and movies because of their dubious subject matters purely puritanical? Read here.
All hail the girlfailure
The girlboss descendent is here and she’s a massive loser. Thank god. Read here.
Internet criticism will never be ethical
The inevitability of being attacked for simply existing online is leading us down a path of nihilism and apathy. Read here.
The rise of dating vigilitanism
When we use technology to surveil each other’s behaviour, we transform our personal and romantic lives into a sad public spectacle. Read here.
It’s time to abolish the nuclear family
Research shows us that the more collectivist our society is, the safer it is in a pandemic. Isn’t it time to follow our own advice? Read here.
2023 is the year of the Girls renaissance
The show has found new fans on TikTok, where viewers tend to be too young to have seen its initial rise, or Lena Dunham’s fall from grace. Read here.
Why is celibacy so hot right now?
With many proponents fusing abstinence with spirituality, a new form of sex negativity is thriving online. Read here.
The rise of the public transit It Girl
From ‘Tube Girl’ to ‘Subway Sessions’, a new crop of creators are chasing virality with the help of the underground. Read here.
In defence of MovieTok
They’re merely the target of a collective anger; some of the few ‘succeeding’ in an underfunded and overworked industry. Read here.
We’re all reckoning with our mommy issues
Daddies are out, mommies are in. What does it mean? And why is Meghan Trainor telling me she’s my mother? Read here.
Unpacking the Gen Z shake
Does the trend really reject curation, or is it just part of our fetish for faux authenticity? Read here.
The age of AI dating is here
Should we be worried? Probably, yeah. Read here.