Taboo on the Bus

[full deep-dive long episode is live]Social media is a breeding ground for poor-shaming working-class mockery, and I’ve been collecting evidence for the past 4 months to prove that. What we are seeing is the re-invention of the harmful working-class stereotypes present in early 2000s/10s media regurgitated in our algorithms right now. We can look at how deeply intertwined identity and consumption habits to begin understanding why social media creates a hierarchy of lifestyles that shames those as the bottom and analyse the key theme of ‘distinction’ driving a lot of the hate and ‘humour’.  I’ve pulled examples from my ongoing to prove just how social media fuels and reinvents the mockery of the working class. Email: [email protected] – whatzaralovesTikTok – whatzaraloves6YouTube: WhatzaralovesPodcast: Taboo on the Bus  Kyey references: Books:Chavs by Owen Jones Journals:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.5153/sro.1814https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01634437231185966https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/3176889  Articles:https://www.vice.com/en/article/chav-caricature-comeback-tiktok-2020/https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2021/09/02/how-the-medias-selective-idealisation-of-the-working-class-perpetuates-inequality/https://consequence.net/2025/12/ricky-gervais-working-classes-mock-mortality/

Social media is a breeding ground for poor-shaming working-class mockery, and I’ve been collecting evidence for the past 4 months to prove that. What we are seeing is the re-invention of the harmful working-class stereotypes present in early 2000s/10s media regurgitated in our algorithms right now. We can look at how deeply intertwined identity and consumption habits to begin understanding why social media creates a hierarchy of lifestyles that shames those as the bottom and analyse the key theme of ‘distinction’ driving a lot of the hate and ‘humour’.  I’ve pulled examples from my ongoing to prove just how social media fuels and reinvents the mockery of the working class. Email: [email protected] – whatzaralovesTikTok – whatzaraloves6YouTube: WhatzaralovesPodcast: Taboo on the Bus  Kyey references: Books:Chavs by Owen Jones Journals:https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.5153/sro.1814https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/01634437231185966https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/3176889  Articles:https://www.vice.com/en/article/chav-caricature-comeback-tiktok-2020/https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2021/09/02/how-the-medias-selective-idealisation-of-the-working-class-perpetuates-inequality/https://consequence.net/2025/12/ricky-gervais-working-classes-mock-mortality/

Rachel Sennott preaching “numb is in”, " Botox is rising, the girls are emotionless, and lobotomy chic is looming in the air. Sit down with me to dissect what it means for stoicism, deadpan, and numbness to become intertwined in our perceptions of beauty and femininity. Let’s discuss whether this can be viewed as a potential clapback to the patriarchal expectations of women’s behaviour, or in fact just caging us further. Sit down with me to analyse the politics of numbness, the privilege of emotional suppression, and the tool of numbness. 

[Full OFF the bus podcast version is also live for a longer deepdive] Rachel Sennott preaching “numb is in”, botox is rising, the girls are emotionless, and lobotomy chic is looming in the air. Sit down with me to disect what it means for stoicism, deadpan, and numbness to become intertwined in our perceptions of beauty and feminity. Let’s discuss whether this can be viewed as a potential clapback to the patriarchal expectations of women’s behvaior, or in fact just caging us further. Sit down with me to analyse the politics of numbness, the privellage of emotional suppression, and the tool of numbness. email: [email protected] instagram- whatzaralovestiktok - whatzaraloves6podcast - Taboo on the Bus

Sit down with me today to discuss the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) in comparison to that of humans and pets. Is it making our lives easier to become reliant on this technology, or are we domesticating ourselves and becoming sub-serviant to AI??Shout out to Gresham College lectures for inspiring this episode. Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: [email protected] and media references:https://www.gresham.ac.uk/watch-now/ai-pethttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/19/dont-ask-what-ai-can-do-for-us-ask-what-it-is-doing-to-us-are-chatgpt-and-co-harming-human-intelligencehttps://sites.uab.edu/humanrights/2025/10/02/construction-and-consequences-the-human-impacts-of-artificial-intelligence-data-centers/

MINI bus version - full version off the bus is also live. Sit down with me today to discuss the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence (AI) in comparison to that of humans and pets. Is it making our lives easier to become reliant on this technology, or are we domesticating ourselves and becoming sub-serviant to AI??Shout out to Gresham College lectures for inspiring this episode. Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: [email protected]

Physical media will not replace your phone (is ‘analog’ the next internet micro-trend…)Taboo OFF the Bus is back! Woo! `Sit down with me today to discuss the rapid rise of the 'analog' trend and return to physical media. We're watching rising consumption of DVDs, CD's, resorts back to old generation Apple IPods and IPhones, and all it says is that we are fed up with the current state of technology, AI, and brain-rot content. But will this rising consumption lead to overconsumption? Will physical media fall to the same 'micro-trend' fate of Labubu's, or Stanely cups - hyped, over-consumed, then discarded on to the next trend? Let's discuss the fate of physical media, and where it I think this is heading...Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: [email protected]

Sit down on the bus with me for the mini digest of physical media, 'analog', and going offline. (Long episode OFF the bus will be live today) We're watching rising consumption of DVDs, CD's, resorts back to old generation Apple IPods and IPhones, and all it says is that we are fed up with the current state of technology, AI, and brain-rot content. But will this rising consumption lead to overconsumption? Will physical media fall to the same 'micro-trend' fate of Labubu's, or Stanely cups - hyped, over-consumed, then discarded on to the next trend? Let's discuss the fate of physical media, and where it I think this is heading...Instagram - whatzaralovesTiktok - whatzaralovesEmail: [email protected]

I cannot escape the deep, seething hatred and humour online surrounding women ‘looking old’. Girls feel pretty and post online only to be attacked for ageing and appearing older than they are. It is an inescapable trap that we all fall to as women, yet we are continuing to tear down each other instead of challenging these expectations within wider society and from the very capitalistic anti-ageing industry. Let’s sit down today to discuss why we are so scared of ageing as women, how society treats ageing women, the paradox of ‘natural’ Botox, and unpicking the anti-ageing industry.  I really loved dissecting this topic, it feels like a very fitting follow up to the episode I previously did discussing whether we can view cosmetic procedures and Botox from a feminist lense. Email – ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠ Reading list/mentions:https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a38813523/baby-botox/Facing Age: Women Growing Older in Anti-Aging Culture - By Laura Hurd ClarkeHolstein, M. B. (2001). A feminist perspective on anti-aging medicine. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 25(4), 38-43. https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/c-firma-fresh-day-serum-MUK200031988.html

Join me on the bus for the mini-deep-dive version of this week's topic. Full 40 min version is live too!I cannot escape the deep, seething hatred and humour online surrounding women ‘looking old’. Girls feel pretty and post online only to be attacked for ageing and appearing older than they are. It is an inescapable trap that we all fall to as women, yet we are continuing to tear down each other instead of challenging these expectations within wider society and from the very capitalistic anti-ageing industry.Let’s sit down today to discuss why we are so scared of ageing as women, how society treats ageing women, the paradox of ‘natural’ botox, and unpicking the anti-ageing industry. I really loved dissecting this topic, it feels like a very fitting follow up to the episode I previously did discussing whether we can view cosmetic procedures and Botox from a feminist lense. Reading list/mentions:https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/beauty/skincare/a38813523/baby-botox/Facing Age: Women Growing Older in Anti-Aging Culture - By Laura Hurd ClarkeHolstein, M. B. (2001). A feminist perspective on anti-aging medicine. Generations: Journal of the American Society on Aging, 25(4), 38-43.https://www.spacenk.com/uk/skincare/treatment/serums/c-firma-fresh-day-serum-MUK200031988.html

A reddit forum titled: ‘My Boyfriend is AI’ recently gathered a lot of attention, leading me down the rabbit hole of relationships with humanised chatbots. Millions are forging intimate, emotional connections and relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots, creating boyfriends, girlfriends, best-friends, deceased replicas, and more, and today I sat down to analyse it. Is it ethical to build apps and systems that sell relationships to potentially vulnerable or lonely users? Users who will never own that connection, and rest solely upon tech companies not stripping that away now… We’re fashioning towards a society where the elderly will cure loneliness with chatbot partners, and women are ditching Hinge and failed talking stages for the chatbot man of their dreams.  Let’s deep dive this from both and ethical and moral perspective, considering the risks, the harms, and the alternatives to artificial connections. Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-171924338 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Podcast: Taboo on the BusEmail: [email protected]/Referance List:https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-023-00348-8https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/15/she-helps-cheer-me-up-the-people-forming-relationships-with-ai-chatbotshttps://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/30/replika-ai-chatbot-update/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/27/nx-s1-5073962/exploring-concerns-around-users-building-emotional-dependence-on-ai-chatbotshttps://jamesmuldoon.orghttps://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

Join me on the bus for a mini version of this episode as we dissect the ethics and harms of forging relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots. Longer episode is also live for a fuller, broader deep dive. A reddit forum titled: ‘My Boyfriend is AI’ recently gathered a lot of attention, leading me down the rabbit hole of relationships with humanised chatbots. Millions are forging intimate, emotional connections and relationships with artificially intelligent chatbots, creating boyfriends, girlfriends, best-friends, deceased replicas, and more, and today I sat down to analyse it. Is it ethical to build apps and systems that sell relationships to potentially vulnerable or lonely users? Users who will never own that connection, and rest solely upon tech companies not stripping that away now… We’re fashioning towards a society where the elderly will cure loneliness with chatbot partners, and women are ditching Hinge and failed talking stages for the chatbot man of their dreams.  Let’s deep dive this from both and ethical and moral perspective, considering the risks, the harms, and the alternatives to artificial connections. Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-171924338 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Podcast: Taboo on the BusEmail: ⁠[email protected]⁠Reading/Referance List:⁠https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-023-00348-8⁠⁠https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/apr/15/she-helps-cheer-me-up-the-people-forming-relationships-with-ai-chatbots⁠https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/30/replika-ai-chatbot-update/https://www.npr.org/2024/08/27/nx-s1-5073962/exploring-concerns-around-users-building-emotional-dependence-on-ai-chatbotshttps://jamesmuldoon.orghttps://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/

Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629-       Broken Plate 2025 https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025-       https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16-       The Guardian article: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

Full deep-dive episode is also live, join me on the bus for a mini discussion. here.Consider this an expansion to one of my recent episodes: Food as a Status Symbol, where I discussed how food is increasingly becoming a luxury item as it becomes more inaccessible. Today I HEAVILY deep dive the broken UK food system, discussing how healthy eating and foods remain a privilege as opposed to a right amid our current climate. Join in for a discussion about the barriers to healthy foods, food poverty, the appeal of ultra-processed foods, and what the government is trying to do to improve the UK’s diet.  Thank you so much for listening and creating space for this important discussion. Unless something upstream is done to tackle access to healthy, nutritious food then we will see widening health and nutrition gaps between those who can and can’t afford these items.  Some notable references from this episode are:-       Food Fight by Stuart Gillespie -       Source quoting Wan et al., (2014) ⁠https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953615300629⁠-       Broken Plate 2025 ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/broken-plate-2025⁠-       ⁠https://foodfoundation.org.uk/initiatives/food-insecurity-tracking#tabs/Round-16⁠-       The Guardian article: ⁠https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jun/30/obesity-crisis-uk-healthy-food-affordable-government-prices?utm_source=chatgpt.com⁠  Find me online: Instagram – WhatzaralovesTikTok – Whatzaraloves Taboo on the busEmail – ⁠[email protected]⁠ 

I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Queerbaiting actually stems from a media realm, which I discuss with reference to Sherlock, and the pipeline from queerbait to fan fiction.  Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6email - [email protected]

[Mini bus bus episode, full deep dive is also live]I have seen too many queerbaiting accusations fly around recently, during pride month of ALL months, and wanted to give my input on the topic. So so many times I see ‘queerbait’ accusations against celebrities there is real undertones of biphobia and the reinforcement of labels and boxes. Do these accusations do more harm than good? Are they just pushing the idea that we others an explanation of our sexuality? Sit down with me and let’s discuss queerbaiting, celebrities, and the real origins of the term. Thank you always for the support! Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: whatzaraloves6Email: [email protected]  

Alongside the longform podcast deepdive, here is the bus version of this week's episode. Inspired by Laura Bate’s new book: The New Age of Sexism, I sat down today to analyse how the interaction between society and AI girlfriends/robots/cyber women is ultimately going to be at the detriment of us all. Is it really a good thing that men are now ‘redirecting’ abuse and harm towards AI women? Is that really sparing the rest of us?  Or we creating spaces and systems that tolerate and withstand abuse, creating if anything, a pathway towards further abuse and harm of women every day.  I take a look at existing technologies such as Alexa’s and Chat Robots to understand this correlation, giving you a deep insight into this important conversation. It will truly change your perspective on a lotttt of things. Laura Bate’s new book: https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/books/The-New-Age-of-Sexism/Laura-Bates/9781471190483 Instagram: WhatzaralovesTiktok: Whatzaraloves6Email: [email protected] 

Hello loves! This is somewhat a deep dive in to my dissertation topic and pulling in some of my own research. I sat down in the long episode today to discuss why we can’t just replicate Grindr for women and expect it to foster the same culture. We analyse the differences in hookup/dating app culture between queer men and women, and how these intertwine with dating app design. Someone please just let me design a dating app for the gay girls, I beg!! Tiktok – Whatzaraloves6Instagram – WhatzaralovesEmail – [email protected]

If your feminism only caters to white, middle class, cis women — is it really feminism? In this episode, we talk about white feminism: a version of feminism that often only represents the experiences of white, cis, middle-class women — leaving out women of colour, LGBTQIA+ women, disabled women, and those impacted by class, colonialism, and systemic oppression.  From the exclusion of Black women in the suffragette movement (something your history teacher might not have mentioned) to the often pink, commodified feminism we see from large figures today — let’s deep dive the history and current displays of white feminism, looking at:⁃            What is white-feminism?⁃            the Suffragette’s exclusion of black women⁃            choice feminism⁃            Pop culture figure, influencers, and white feminism⁃            How to be more intersectional in your approach This episode was largely collective from the Taboo on the Bus community to be as inclusive and considerate to everyone’s viewpoints and experiences as possible. I understand I am a white woman and aim to be contributing to this conversation without taking space away from more important voices. Please use this as a potential basepoint, or small part of your understanding, and consider the voices, stories, and input from those more affected by these issues from marginalised communities. Reading list below! This episode isn’t about shaming individual women — it’s about encouraging all of us to think more critically, be more intersectional, and hold ourselves (and the people we look up to) to a higher standard. #tabooonthebus #whitefeminism #intersectionalfeminism #popfeminism #suffragettehistory #genderequality #choicefeminism Reading list: BOOK Ain't I a woman : black women and feminism hooks, bell, 1952-2021. Main stock ; 305.4208996073 Me, not you : the trouble with mainstream feminism Phipps, Alison, author. The Right to Sex: Shortlisted for the Orwell Prize 2022 Kindle Edition by Amia Srinivasan “Diversity Within”: The Problems with “Intersectional” White Feminism in Practice Christoffersen, Ashlee ; Emejulu, Akwugo Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women White Feminists Forgot Hardcover –by Mikki Kendall (Author White Tears Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Colour Paperback – 21 Oct. 2021 by Ruby Hamad (Author) Your silence will not protect you Lorde, Audre, author. 2017 Bad Feminist Paperback – 21 Aug. 2014 by Roxane Gay (Author) What a tine to be alone - What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower's Guide to Why You Are Already Enough Chidera Eggerue

Join me to dissect and discuss whether filler, Botox, and aesthetic cosmetic procedures can be considered 'feminist'? While it may empower you, and be your choice, can we call that feminist when it is largely rooted in upholding harmful beauty standards? I take a look down the lense of gender, class, and race to dissect this question, referencing the works of Dana Berkowitz and Margaret Hunter. Let me know your thoughts… Again, clarifying that this is not an individual attack on individuals who get these procedures. It is an unpack of the wider system these are part of and the standards/expectations of women that they ultimately uphold.  instagram: whatzaralovestiktok: whatzaraloves6show: Taboo on the BusEmail me: [email protected]:https://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2016/12/30/botox-gender-and-the-emotional-lobotomy/https://jpanafrican.org/docs/vol4no4/HUNTER%20Final.pdfhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/audio/2016/oct/15/when-womens-rights-meet-botox-what-would-a-feminist-do  

Join me on the mini bus-version of the podcast to dissect and discuss whether filler, Botox, and aesthetic cosmetic procedures is feminist? While it may empower you, and be your choice, can we call that feminist? I take a look down the lense of gender, class, and race to dissect this question, referencing the works of Dana Berkowitz and Margaret Hunter. Let me know your thoughts… Again, clarifying that this is not an individual attack on individuals who get these procedures. It is an unpack of the wider system these are part of and the standards/expectations of women that they ultimately uphold.  instagram: whatzaralovestiktok: whatzaraloves6show: Taboo on the BusEmail me: [email protected]

I have always been intrigued by the way in which the public feels entitled to share their opinion online, including ones that are deeply nasty or mean towards creators. In the aftermath of Becky Jones leaving the internet, I realised that this entitlement-to-share comes from the fact that we as viewers are aware of the fact that our views/likes/engagement keeps influencers ‘employed’messentially, therefore gives a degree of power. Today I discuss this power dynamic between influencers and viewers, and how we as the public essentially are employers in this realm. From the lense of comments, brand deals, cancel-culture, and nepo-babies, this is a real influencer deep-dive. A REAL insight in to my analytical brain.Love ya!!instagram - whatzaralovestiktok - whatzaraloves6youtube - whatzaralovesemail me - [email protected] 

Long-form deepdive is live! I have always been intrigued by the way in which the public feels entitled to share their opinion online, including ones that are deeply nasty or mean towards creators. In the aftermath of Becky Jones leaving the internet, I realised that this entitlement-to-share comes from the fact that we as viewers are aware of the fact that our views/likes/engagement keeps influencers ‘employed’messentially, therefore gives a degree of power. Today I discuss this power dynamic between influencers and viewers, and how we as the public essentially are employers in this realm.

Is the WLW hashtag on TikTok really one of the closest things to a queer community for so many of us? Today I sat down to talk about the lack of intersectional physical spaces for queer women, discussing the historical reasons for this and also what is driving us to foster community online instead. We’ve got dissertation research, we’ve got my own research study, we’ve got YOUR input, this episode is juicy and packed xoxoOutline:why queer women are using dating apps, tiktok, and digital platforms to forge communitythe impact of digital queer communities and coming outwhy gay bars and clubs are not always safe/inclusive spaces to queer women, trans-women and women of colourthe history of lesbians and gay bars/clubsthe focus towards daytime, community centred cafes, bookstores, etc amongst lesbiansThe Mafia’s role in lesbian barsIntersectionality in queer spacesfind me on insta: @whatzaralovestiktok: @whatzaraloves6youtube: WhatzaralovesReferences for this episode:https://medium.com/@anyacrittenton/how-misogyny-makes-the-lgbtq-community-a-lonely-place-for-queer-women-236a7bf24cf2https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7430466/https://scholars.fhsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4226&context=theseshttps://medium.com/girl-genius-magazine/studying-the-intersection-of-queer-history-and-feminism-6c13e3e4599ahttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/06/misogyny-gay-men-sexist-rose-mcgowan-rights-womenhttps://scholars.fhsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4226&context=theseshttps://www.vice.com/en/article/when-drag-kings-ruled-alongside-the-mafia-235/

Is the WLW hashtag on TikTok really one of the closest things to a queer community for so many of us? Today I sat down to talk about the lack of intersectional physical spaces for queer women, discussing the historical reasons for this and also what is driving us to foster community online instead. We’ve got dissertation research, we’ve got my own research study, we’ve got YOUR input, this mini version on the bus is the beginning of this wider conversation. If you like this, check out the next episode which is a 30 min deep-dive.

In a week of PLT rebranding cementing the emphasis on ‘quiet luxury’, let’s discuss how food becomes part of this conversation. Amid our current economic climate, access to food, time, and resources is increasingly becoming harder, and with that, displays of food are becoming increasingly aspirational. Think: fridge restocks, fresh grocery hauls, come-shop-with-me content. We’re seeing this shift across fashion, art, and the social media sphere as food is positioned as more of a ‘luxury’ and symbolise both wealth and time. I discuss this from multiple lenses, including class, quiet luxury, and fashion. If you enjoyed the bus version, you’ll love this deep dive. Sources mentioned:Book: Bad Taste, Natalie Olah Creators: @kfesteryga / @janinejellars (tiktok) Nylon article: "Errand-Core" And The Rise of The High-Fashion Paper Bag Journal: When is food a luxury? DOl: 10.1080/0043824021000026422

Is food a status symbol now? On food, class, and quiet luxury In a week of PLT rebranding cementing the emphasis on ‘quiet luxury’, let’s talk about how food becomes part of this conversation. Amid our current economic climate, access to food, time, and resources is increasingly becoming harder, and with that, displays of food are becoming increasingly aspirational. Think: fridge restocks, fresh grocery hauls, come-shop-with-me content. We’re seeing this shift accross fashion, art, and the social media sphere as food is positioned as more of a ‘luxury’ and symbolise both wealth and time. if you enjoy the bus version, you’ll love the deep dive, see my latest episode for 35 minutes of this. 

You all adored the mini bus version of this episode, so let's deepdive the 'full bush in a thong' discourse for 30 mins to truly underpin this changing discourse towards women's body hair. I’ve noticed an increase in the discusion and potential rage bait online amongst men debating whether or not women should have body hair, yet on the flip side, we are seeing mainstream love and normalisation of body hair amongst the girls - particularly the cis het community online. This episode is a JOURNEY, discussing the where the notions of femininity=hairlessness derive from, the correlations between race, class, and body hair, and an interesting study conducted in the 2010’s that I think can underpin the entire ‘full bush in a thong’ discourse today. For real, grab a cup of tea and a snack.All my lovesocials: @whatzaraloves Study mentioned:http://www.breannefahs.com/uploads/1/0/6/7/10679051/2011_embodied_resistance_fahs_delgado.pdfCommercialisation of choice quote from Susan Bordo:https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=yt0qnwdZRCcC&oi=fnd&pg=PP12&dq=body+hair+women+&ots=QprmcqYfqr&sig=9ZWbqm55ioF3-lFWXl13GQevNd4&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=body%20hair%20women&f=false

As someone in my comments coined it, we are in a “Buchaissance”, meaning it is high time for women and body hair! The ‘full bush in a thong’ discourse is going to be instrumental in breaking down the equation of women’s body hair to femininity, and I am here for it! Let’s discuss the origins of why women even shave, the harmful stereotypes and ideologies associated with women’s body hair, and an interesting study done on a class of girls that I think can tell us a lot about the impact of the ‘full bush in a thong’ discussion online. All my lovesocials: @whatzaraloves Study mentioned:http://www.breannefahs.com/uploads/1/0/6/7/10679051/2011_embodied_resistance_fahs_delgado.pdf

I was RUDELY confronted with an “almond-daughter’ aesthetic image on my Pinterest feed (help) and ran to TikTok to see if this is yet another girl, core, IT, aesthetic, and of course it is a thriving subculture. Let’s fully debunk the commodification of women’s identities online, and how we are pushed into these boxes of self, taking the almond-daughter as a perfect example of how this has gone too far now. The almond-daughter is simply a repackaged ED, sold and pushed as an aesthetic lifestyle to pertain to, and it has to stop. Listen in to discuss the harms of fashioning yourself to these identities, the role of capitalism in heightening these, and why I think the almond-daughter subculture/trend is pureposely kept online despite its harm. Keywords: Almond Daughter, TikTok trends, identity commodification, wellness aesthetics, social media and mental health, performative lifestyles, consumerism, online personas

Sit down with Zara at the front of the bus to discuss the thriving internet subculture of the ‘almond-daughter’. It is exactly what you think it is: a repackaged ED sold and made aesthetic to the girls in yet another girl, core, IT, box. Let’s talk about the harm that slotting ourselves in to these boxes can cause, and why I think the almond-daughter subculture/trend is pureposely kept online despite its harm. 

I’m on the London Tube this week for a special episode of: Taboo on the Tube instead of my bed/ the bus. Joined by Tori West, founder of Bricks Magazine, we discuss the inaccessibility of fashion weeks and the lack of accommodations made for disabled/neurodivergent individuals. Tori has worked her way from standing room to front row seats at fashion week, and sits down to give us a first-hand account of her experience. Join us to talk about the way clout is so often put before accommodation and lift the lid on fashion week. Thank you Tori West and the darling Prada for joining me for this episode. I will be back on the bus/bed next week as per usual! Socials: @whatzaraloves#FashionWeek #lfw #taboo #fashionweek2025 #toriwest

[Full episode is posted]I’m on the London Tube this week for a special episode of: Taboo on the Tube instead of my bed/ the bus. Joined by Tori West, founder of Bricks Magazine, we discuss the inaccessability of fashion weeks and the lack of accomodations made for disabled/neurodivergent individuals. Tori has worked her way from standing room to front row seats at fashion week, and sits down to give us a first-hand account of her experience. Join us to talk about the way clout is so often put before accomodation, and lift the lid on fashion week. Thank you Tori West and the darling Prada for joining me for this episode. I will be back on the bus/bed next week as per usual! Socials: @whatzaraloves

Has the accessability and normalisation of aesthetic procedures and fillers warped our ability to accept our natural features? I realised that I am simply tolerating some of my insecurities with the idea that I will eventually get procedures and fillers to ‘fix’ it, and is this becoming common culture within society? Has the accessibility of fillers and exposure to such content begun to normalise changing ourselves instead of accepting? Sit down with me in the long-form version of Taboo on the Bus to discuss: how accessible and normalised aesthetic procedures have become the every-changing, consistently unattainable beauty-standard  how marketers and advertisers influence and sell us insecurities How social media makes us desire aesthetic procedures The racial cherry-picking within western beauty standards Social media dysmorphia  Again, I will clarify that I do not disasgree with aesthetic procedures/fillers. I personally would like them, but what I don’t agree with is how normalised, accessible, and promoted they are. All of my love, Zara @whatzaraloves // Taboo on the Bus

Globally, gay bars are in decline, we are losing our queer spaces, visibility, venues, and community, and it has largely been pinned on our dating app usage. Yes, Grindr, yes Hinge, yes Tinder, yes HER. The facilitation of meet-ups, dates, hook-ups, romantic partners, and even friendships are so accessible online now that we are seeing less and less people ooccupying queer bars and spaces. As a result, we are losing our gay bars, so let’s dive in to the implications of that. (side note, this is my dissertation area, hence the enthusiasm, passion, and intense research haha) all of my love tiktok - whatzaraloves insta - whatzaraloves YouTube - whatzaraloves

Globally, gay bars are in decline, we are losing our queer spaces, visibility, venues, and community, and it has largely been pinned on our dating app usage. Yes, Grindr, yes Hinge, yes Tinder, yes HER. The facilitation of meet-ups, dates, hook-ups, romantic partners, and even friendships are so accessible online now that we are seeing less and less people ooccupying queer bars and spaces. As a result, we are losing our gay bars, so let’s dive in to the implications of that. (side note, this is my dissertation area, hence the enthusiasm, passion, and intense research haha) all of my love tiktok - whatzaraloves insta - whatzaraloves YouTube - whatzaraloves

The first episode of Taboo Off the Bus, the deep-dive longform version of Taboo ON the Bus. Today let’s talk about the downfall of social media and realising it IS the damn phone. I dug out my old nokia flip phone today and speculate whether I could go back to the flip phone, why it is so hard to delete social media, and if the girls who have deleted TikTok and ran to Substack are doing it right?  Thank you for all of the love on Taboo on the Bus, I hope you enjoy the longer version from bed!! xoxo

The first Taboo on the Bus of the year talking my prediction of manyyy people deleting social media this year, the reason many of us won’t, and the rise of Substack as we all turn against short form content and doomscrolling. Taboo OFF the Bus, the long-form version of Taboo on the Bus coming tonight xoxo socials - @whatzaraloves Thank you for all of the love on Taboo on the Bus, I hope you enjoy the longer version too!! xoxo

I got down the rabbit-hole of Mayfair clubbing and the whole ordeal of 'free' nights out. Is it really free when you are doing 'unpaid aesthetic labor', or is it feminist to maximise this system?

Deep-diving the hatred I've seen of Emma Chamberlain's new haircut and discussing how I think it is allll tied to hating when teenage girls evolve into women. Also drawing some parallels between Miley and Emma, all from the front seat of the bus

It was Brooke Schofield and Alix Earl this week, who will be next…? This was the icing on the cake of influencer scandals, yet another big creator exposed for their racist tweets and vile views. How many infleuncer apologies and comebacks will be watch before we wake up to the performative act of ‘cancel culture’? Let’s talk all about the inevitable infleuncer comeback, who gets to accept their apologies, and who gets to grant them their platform back, all from the front seat of the bus Edited video versions on TikTok: Taboo on th Bus, Whatzaraloves Creator mentioned in episode: @cameronkira

I sat down on the bus today to talk (rant) all about the cost of the current beauty standard, and I don't just mean money, but the physical and mental cost we put our bodies through to adhere to the ever-changing standards of 'beauty'. The whole 'mouth breathing' epidemic really stirred up this episode. It was either ordering a batch of mouth tape on tiktok shop or making this episode. Let me know your thoughts...

Sit down with Zara on the bus to talk about the shifting landscape of our for-you-pages and home-feeds. It seems as though we are moving away from the overly curated, typical influencer content and towards more educational, insightful, and relatable content. Are we just sick of being sold things or does this relfect a wider societal shift? Let's talk...

I love a label! As someone who grew up knowing that "straight' did not fit, I longed to understand what term did feel right in order to finally gain a sense of belonging. Yet, why is it seen as such a taboo to change the label you first identified as? Let's talk the taboos of changing your label, being unlabelled, and the change from lesbian to bisexual, all from the front seat of the bus.

Suddenly we are back in the depths of 2016 YouTube diet culture. Foods are being labelled as either 'good' or 'bad', we have men in supermarkets telling us how toxic these every-day items are for our bodies, oat milk is now the devil, except this is TikTok and it is 2024. Diet culture seems to have had a makeover, and is now presented in the form of nutritional advice online. Let's break it down from the front seat of the bus, and see how this "all or nothing' approach is actually not very healthy.

Join me from the front seat of the bus to discuss my take on straight people entering queer clubs and bars. Truthfully, I see no harm in straight friends joining queer partners/friends/family for queer nightlife if they are respectful and there to have fun. Yet, bachelorette/hen parties and mobs of straight men.... not quite the same. Let me know what you think! disclaimer: there are a few occasions that I used the word "gay" that I think would've been worded better as "queer" as a more umbrella term.

The pre-teens raiding Sephora to get their hands on £60 Drunk Elephant skincare has started quite a discussion online lately. So, let's talk all about how this form of overconsumption really stems from the desire to fit the current "clean-girl" aesthetic that is popular online, and how this really isn't any different to our overconsumption of Morphe palettes, ABH highlighters, and lip kits back when we were 14. The skincare hype is the new makeup-hype. Forget Alex 9 drawers full of makeup, it is the excessive skincare collection's time to shine, or is it?

Why in 2024 are men still pushing the narrative that there is an "acceptable" number of people that a woman should have sex with? Let's sit down to discuss on the bus why there is simply no need to even count the number of people you have had sex with, and how the whole idea of 'body-count' is not a very sex-positive stance to bring in to the new year. Ditch the notes list besties, and to the alpha-males, please reassess your values. This is also the first episode where we have had an input from passengers, so thank you to the elderly couple who chimed in and shared their stance in this episode. It is still is making me laugh.

No one is talking about the impact that the creators you watch online truly has on your own mental health. So let's sit down to chat about how you truly are a product of the content you consume, and some creators to have on your radar for 2024 for a 'healthier' feed online. The fact is, if you consume sad content for 3 hours a day, you cannot expect to have the healthiest mindset.

Let's sit down on the bus and discuss how much society and uni-culture in the UK is deep rooted in drugs and alcohol. On pints, chit-chat, and how sobriety is becoming trendy, but so is casual alcoholism at university. Join me alongside the commuters and let's discuss....