Lifestyle - Communities

Array

Mahjong, Chinamaxxing & The Cultural Appropriation Comeback

Mahjong’s resurgence might look like a glossy trend but beneath the surface lies a deeper story about culture and ownership. As Western companies profit from reimagined versions of the game, the traditional craftsmanship and communities that sustained mahjong for generations are being pushed to the margins. This piece explores how a nearly 200-year-old game became both a site of cultural connection and a battleground over appropriation, identity, and who gets to shape its future.

Janice Heinrich @

Rain, Pubs, A Home Away From Home: Inside the ‘People Make Glasgow’ Editorial

What if the place you never planned to stay became the one you couldn’t leave? “People Make Glasgow” captures the pure, human magic of a city defined not by its streets, but by the strangers who make it feel like home.

Jasmin Kraenzel @

The Power of Female Friendship: “Derry Girls” and the Rise of Girlhood

McGee’s shows capture a reality that those seeking meaningful connections know well. Real friendship and community building demand time, empathy, and constant engagement. As we navigate life’s challenges, these stories offer both humor and a blueprint for resilience through platonic bonds.

Roberta Fabbrocino @

Less Thinking, More Doing: Anna Kuen on Ambition, Autonomy, & Building Rooms for Imagination

In this intimate interview, Anna Kuen reflects on ambition, autonomy, motherhood, and the discipline behind building immersive worlds across art, music, and fashion. A portrait of a contemporary artist choosing depth over spectacle and action over overthinking.

Alice Vyvyan-Jones @

Valentine’s Day in 2026: High-Value Men, Escapist Romance, and Consumerism

Valentine’s Day spending is set to hit $29.1 billion, even as modern relationships feel more uncertain than ever. From Wuthering Heights–style passion to dating apps and late-stage capitalism, love today is as political and commercial as it is romantic.

Roberta Fabbrocino @
Three young Asian women playing a game of Mahjong and laughing together around a green felt table.

Mahjong, Chinamaxxing & The Cultural Appropriation Comeback

Mahjong’s resurgence might look like a glossy trend but beneath the surface lies a deeper story about culture and ownership. As Western companies profit from reimagined versions of the game, the traditional craftsmanship and communities that sustained mahjong for generations are being pushed to the margins. This piece explores how a nearly 200-year-old game became both a site of cultural connection and a battleground over appropriation, identity, and who gets to shape its future.

Janice Heinrich