Touching Grass

The New World
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In online culture, to tell someone to touch grass is an encouragement to get off their screen and get back in touch with reality. In this podcast, The New World's Gen Z-er Lucy Reade and Millennial James Ball try to explain what's happening on the internet to people with much healthier lives - and each other. Expect confusing discourse, culture wars and bizarre influencer scandals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 6d ago

    Millennial optimism, and are we in 1984?

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week, Lucy Reade and James Ball discuss this year’s hottest Halloween costume: the Millennial. Also, is the UK’s ban on certain types of pornography literally 1984? Links: Are we in 1984? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmpqgepejr2ro https://x.com/GrumpyTechBro/status/2116324884276212058?a=pMuzY_pETsF8-wzblME&s=20 https://x.com/oregonwoman/status/2115470615247573017?a=TmnDb22X18nOygWAaGk&s=20 https://x.com/sc0rpionom/status/2111199518054027424?a=PNJMwBrVqExVr2xCS0c&s=20 https://x.com/Spoopy_Potatoes/status/2115841087042453751?a=z02r7v3Fcz7EtXfcRJQ&s=20 https://x.com/JcKh_/status/2116089608857686031?a=hh3SuD37XRlOG2e0nQY&s=20 https://x.com/scarlet_rush/status/2115941458410709031?a=P3zPRcTQ7gpWDhx-T6A&s=20 https://x.com/ducktelevision/status/2115933905325047847?a=oTJnf3wbyTqkQoyglZk&s=20 Millennial optimism: The video that started it Ten second in is superb I physically felt this one There’s an interesting take from our colleague on this Is it just depression? Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Get a FREE SIGNED COPY of Alastair Campbell's new book when you subscribe to The New World. Go to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Millennial optimism, and are we in 1984?

  2. Oct 28

    You Can Touch Every Grass

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week’s Very Special Episode focuses on Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. James Ball explains to Lucy Reade the real story behind the fraudulent startup, whilst Lucy delves into how the new documentary You Can See Everything has given Holmes a public image rehabilitation. Clips/posts mentioned: https://youtu.be/GrT0jKOhnD4?si=1Fw0XHBWdztlPTpt&t=15 https://x.com/Polymarket/status/2114478349020221894?s=20 https://x.com/balkanchav/status/2112649169605448154?s=20 https://x.com/jetpackjexy/status/2114523873710584046?s=20 https://x.com/powerswitchhh/status/2111835275366457827?s=20 https://x.com/cartoonghost17/status/2113712990877073692?s=20 https://x.com/maddyferg/status/2112055022028783785?s=20 https://x.com/djschlagenheim/status/2114075489531031860?s=20 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN8DdsX3R/ https://x.com/malikules/status/2114350089972142185?s=20 https://www.tiktok.com/@tedteddytheodore/video/7698801620649315597?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7631514080352765462 https://www.tiktok.com/@angeltwink404/video/7699945843260017934?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7631514080352765462 https://x.com/jennifer_zilla/status/2113146120717132031?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Get a FREE SIGNED COPY of Alastair Campbell's new book when you subscribe to The New World. Go to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    You Can Touch Every Grass

  3. Oct 20

    Right wing Harry Potter fanfiction and 2 Kelly 2 Furious

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week, Lucy Reade reluctantly explains why so many right wing incels are now writing their own Harry Potter fanfictions. Meanwhile, James Ball brings us part two of the Kelly Clarkson mechanical bird saga. We are serious journalists. The 2012 tumblrgirlification of the right: https://x.com/robrousseau/status/2112226711932633173?s=20 https://x.com/ThatchEffendi/status/2112253253333446703?s=20 https://x.com/BadWritingTakes/status/2108261674163585155?s=20 https://x.com/makooor/status/2109480540328038550?s=20 https://x.com/logosoverflow/status/2112257859732090923?s=20 https://x.com/freeborn_wolf/status/2110908338578055170?s=20 https://x.com/feyriswheel/status/2112085955607695638?s=20 https://x.com/instain_mother/status/2112005855969484930?s=20 2 Kelly 2 Furious: https://x.com/JonPaula/status/2110370590213423407?s=20 https://x.com/cutelipssx/status/2110402553636626789 https://x.com/popcrave/status/2110183559353057771?s=46 https://x.com/tommyhawkins/status/2110156221432946701?s=46 https://blisskolb.com/ https://x.com/redhotnerd/status/2110856628295647610?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Get a FREE SIGNED COPY of Alastair Campbell's new book when you subscribe to The New World. Go to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Right wing Harry Potter fanfiction and 2 Kelly 2 Furious

  4. Oct 13

    Kelly Clarkson gets Pretty-Womaned, and should you use ChatGPT to answer all your questions?

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week, James Ball takes us through all the twists and turns of the latest online drama: Kelly Clarkson getting Pretty-Womaned at a magic shop. Meanwhile, Lucy Reade asks whether using ChatGPT to answer all your questions is the wisest move… Kelly Clarkson-gate: The story begins Art of Play Solidarity with Kelly Anti Kelly The shop tried to explain The mood turns! Kelly with the comeback! And now we’re going full OSINT on this thing ChatGPT: Original post Tiktok making fun In her defence... Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Get a FREE SIGNED COPY of Alastair Campbell's new book when you subscribe to The New World. Go to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kelly Clarkson gets Pretty-Womaned, and should you use ChatGPT to answer all your questions?

  5. Oct 6

    Is Zionism racism and an update from Elon Musk

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week, Lucy and James discuss the Green Party’s motion declaring that Zionism equals racism, as well as catching up on the latest Elon Musk drama. Zionism: https://x.com/EtanSmallman/status/2107059923771072911?s=20 https://x.com/anne_hegerty/status/2106789742230872375?s=20 https://x.com/MrTCHarris/status/2107081257452781780?s=20 Elon links: Elon and the right to vote Elon on stealth tech / and again (rebuttal) Politico article Verge article Breakup texts Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Ruby Mitchell OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for your first month here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Is Zionism racism and an update from Elon Musk

  6. Sep 29

    Fairford falsehoods and KFC cannibalism claims

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week James Ball takes us through the online right’s reaction to the Fairford 5 and its descent into madness, and Lucy Reade unpacks how a KFC advert has prompted accusations of cannibalism. KFC/Conspiracy theories: https://x.com/_truthzone_/status/2101834492793016780?s=46 https://x.com/lilithblack25/status/2102442825409298911?s=46 https://x.com/Igi_POLCOM/status/2103291436691030459?s=20 https://x.com/roadto80pct/status/2102830745467408826?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a free copy of Paul Mason's new book Reds. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fairford falsehoods and KFC cannibalism claims

  7. Sep 22

    The great iced coffee row, and is internet hustle culture getting out of hand?

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week Lucy Reade unpacks the latest Gen Z discourse: is it unprofessional to drink iced coffee in a job interview? And James Ball asks whether internet hustle culture is getting out of hand… Gen Z iced coffee: https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeyoufindyourdad/video/7688085006572326157?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7629351219308676630 (first 20 seconds) https://x.com/CuriousBunnie12/status/2102147885995278440?s=20  https://x.com/4LeafOddity/status/2101781791707398502?s=20  https://x.com/chloeevansj/status/2102218640254722133?s=20  https://x.com/chrryboyhunter/status/2101121452992876739?s=20 https://x.com/shipsposting/status/2102037310913098013?s=20 Hustle culture: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005012927775589.html https://www.thegoldbullion.co.uk/buy-gold-bars/credit-suisse-gold-bars/credit-suisse-1-oz-gold-bar/ https://www.tiktok.com/@abbysellsss/video/7668217142084390157  https://www.sellmeapen.net/ Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a free copy of Paul Mason's new book Reds. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    The great iced coffee row, and is internet hustle culture getting out of hand?

  8. Sep 15

    Aella, and why BookTok has changed how people read

    Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week James Ball inflicts upon us a strange cocktail of Aella, AI doomerism and Harry Potter fanfiction. Meanwhile, Lucy Reade discusses why BookTok has changed how people read and… also gets on to the topic of Harry Potter fanfiction. Warning: this episode contains material of an adult nature! Aella: https://x.com/Aella_Girl/status/1763383809284731208  https://bsky.app/profile/bluser12.bsky.social/post/3mv4z6ycoks2r https://bsky.app/profile/stejormur.bsky.social/post/3mvdjiy32pc24 Books: https://x.com/bookslattess/status/2096580249232269563?s=20  https://x.com/diatribadism/status/2097211649073545583?s=20 https://x.com/stargirlBaird/status/2097316740749234649?s=20 https://x.com/hexprax/status/2097192722767700087?s=20 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGdQy1X5A/ Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World and get a free copy of Paul Mason's new book Reds. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/subscribe/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Aella, and why BookTok has changed how people read
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About

In online culture, to tell someone to touch grass is an encouragement to get off their screen and get back in touch with reality. In this podcast, The New World's Gen Z-er Lucy Reade and Millennial James Ball try to explain what's happening on the internet to people with much healthier lives - and each other. Expect confusing discourse, culture wars and bizarre influencer scandals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    The New World
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The New World
  • Show Website
    Touching Grass

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