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The New World

Touching Grass

A Technology podcast

#124 in Technology · 🇬🇧
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About the show

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.

Newest episodes

The Midterms: Woke 3.0 vs Anakinposting

42 min

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 how the online world has reacted to the US Midterm results. The Democrats have revelled in their victory, declaring that Woke 3.0 shall be installed, whereas the Republicans are drowning their sorrows while pretending they’re in Star Wars. Woke 3.0 links https://x.com/sapphodii/status/2119847542091551022?a=Lme8lHN8CPOBfWE5oqc&s=46 https://x.com/jerrybaglover/status/2118070214130913314?a=S-h-X_2q3YLuc0IDGB8&s=20 https://x.com/vmonshope/status/2117856776926171274?a=eLxRGVgjGIcKHb63w_A&s=20 https://x.com/mfcbish/status/2119053894684672154?a=xZPt8-wvNrfWneVwJWQ&s=20 https://x.com/jocelynseip/status/2118260591680983528?a=Oo9Eln9dDEsQhCc1rXc&s=20 https://x.com/lunaloonies/status/2118106445606699236?a=yWDJat8OgivEf5JHTbY&s=20 Anakinposting links: https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social/post/3myx7dt3jwk2l https://x.com/usedgov/status/2116192924710941130 https://x.com/minordissent/status/2116622484233752629 https://x.com/SlainByTheWire/status/2116646608662393082 https://x.com/dream_in_sanity/status/2118470890812006678?s=12 https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2116990933103509723 https://x.com/gremlinfoid/status/2117492470556602496 https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social/post/3myx7dt3jwk2l 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?

54 min

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.

You Can Touch Every Grass

54 min

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.

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All episodes

The Midterms: Woke 3.0 vs Anakinposting

42 min

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 how the online world has reacted to the US Midterm results. The Democrats have revelled in their victory, declaring that Woke 3.0 shall be installed, whereas the Republicans are drowning their sorrows while pretending they’re in Star Wars. Woke 3.0 links https://x.com/sapphodii/status/2119847542091551022?a=Lme8lHN8CPOBfWE5oqc&s=46 https://x.com/jerrybaglover/status/2118070214130913314?a=S-h-X_2q3YLuc0IDGB8&s=20 https://x.com/vmonshope/status/2117856776926171274?a=eLxRGVgjGIcKHb63w_A&s=20 https://x.com/mfcbish/status/2119053894684672154?a=xZPt8-wvNrfWneVwJWQ&s=20 https://x.com/jocelynseip/status/2118260591680983528?a=Oo9Eln9dDEsQhCc1rXc&s=20 https://x.com/lunaloonies/status/2118106445606699236?a=yWDJat8OgivEf5JHTbY&s=20 Anakinposting links: https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social/post/3myx7dt3jwk2l https://x.com/usedgov/status/2116192924710941130 https://x.com/minordissent/status/2116622484233752629 https://x.com/SlainByTheWire/status/2116646608662393082 https://x.com/dream_in_sanity/status/2118470890812006678?s=12 https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2116990933103509723 https://x.com/gremlinfoid/status/2117492470556602496 https://bsky.app/profile/zakiscorner.bsky.social/post/3myx7dt3jwk2l 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?

54 min

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.

You Can Touch Every Grass

54 min

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.

Right wing Harry Potter fanfiction and 2 Kelly 2 Furious

47 min

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.

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

51 min

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.

Is Zionism racism and an update from Elon Musk

54 min

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.

Fairford falsehoods and KFC cannibalism claims

53 min

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.

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

53 min

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.

Aella, and why BookTok has changed how people read

47 min

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.

The tragic case of Lindsey Clancy, and are GLP-1 drugs fascist?

56 min

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 discusses the tragic case of Lindsey Clancy and the horrendous internet reactions it has spawned on all sides of the debate. James Ball, meanwhile, asks the age-old question: are GLP-1 drugs are inherently fascist? Lindsey Clancy: https://www.tiktok.com/@truecrime_central/video/7668324431713864991?q=lindsey%20clancy%20husband%20conspiracy&t=1788852477246 https://www.tiktok.com/@sisters.uncensored/video/7673872121063394574?q=lindsey%20clancy%20husband%20conspiracy&t=1788852477246 https://x.com/NickJFreitas/status/2094843531718262973?s=20 https://x.com/MattWalshBlog/status/2095963187422056854?s=20  https://x.com/DeepBlueCrypto/status/2095500027166699983?s=20 https://x.com/Bdubs1776/status/2096958652976365815?s=20  https://x.com/CGroyper12400/status/2095904656396337548?s=20 GLP-1s: https://x.com/thestustustudio/status/2096379112093016241  https://x.com/kane/status/2096836146802085966?s=46  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/aug/20/john-goodman-weight-loss-drugs-ozempic-fat-people-cannot-win  Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Right wing pick me influencers and dating app discourse

52 min

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 discusses right wing pick me influencers, and Lucy Reade dives into dating app discourse.  Pick me influencers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBenSXzMqyM https://archive.ph/q1j7q https://youtu.be/W-N6XRhqXf0?si=lkRE5N4Cz8LqoOYN&t=1261  https://youtu.be/W-N6XRhqXf0?si=aZfdDgeJ3RdE5jKQ&t=1332  Dating app discourse: https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/sex-relationships/article/is-it-inappropriate-to-use-linkedin-as-a-dating-app-i-do-g2cxxsfs3 https://x.com/graveair/status/1862142683260551365?s=20  https://x.com/SchrodingrsBrat/status/2093075305799791097?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dobby's grave and problematic internet boyfriends

54 min

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 discourse over Harry Potter fans, whilst James Ball tells us about the strange world of boyfriend simulator games. Harry Potter and Dobby’s grave links: https://x.com/kennixonette/status/2086887412433625294?s=20 https://x.com/search?q=from%3Agregthesorcerer%20dobby&src=typed_query https://www.tiktok.com/@arielleblack9/video/7627889810245504274?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7629351219308676630 Love and Deepspace links: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qpkgenf7XtJWJLCnWrW1VN6_AFR2bn22MBBzHcuOJTg/edit?usp=sharing  https://www.themarysue.com/love-and-deepspace-is-a-period-tracker-really-necessary-in-an-otome-game/  https://www.reddit.com/r/LoveAndDeepspace/comments/1uihl89/i_dont_think_valko_climbing_through_the_window_is/  https://x.com/ByteStix/status/2071599339068170662  https://www.polygon.com/love-and-deepspace-backlash-new-love-interest-valko-canceled/  https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/im-boycotting-love-and-deepspace-for-killing-my-virtual-boyfriend-and-so-are-251-000-other-loyal-widows/  Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for your first month. https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/touchinggrass/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sex Purge Movie, and catching predators

45 min

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 discusses the very silly film that the internet has dubbed The Sex Purge Movie, whilst Lucy Reade dives into the controversial world of To Catch a Predator.  One Night Only links: https://bsky.app/profile/dinfontay.com/post/3msdym6unbk2s  https://bsky.app/profile/annabower.bsky.social/post/3msfvhd36tk2r  https://bsky.app/profile/jessehawken.bsky.social/post/3msjm5cggzs2p  https://bsky.app/profile/thenumbers.bsky.social/post/3msld7r7pf22e  https://bsky.app/profile/discussingfilm.net/post/3msjtq2bbn225  https://bsky.app/profile/luxalptraum.com/post/3mshfk5akdc2w  https://bsky.app/profile/spavel.bsky.social/post/3mskwcskjvs22  https://bsky.app/profile/gregpak.net/post/3mskax4mdb22p  To Catch a Predator links: https://x.com/airbagg3d/status/2085467442491326737?s=20  https://x.com/TheJakeChristie/status/2085387796282249343?s=20 https://x.com/souljagoyteller/status/2085398957375582220?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for your first month. https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/touchinggrass/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Panopticons and the fall of the Magaverse

43 min

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 discusses the infamous ‘kissing lawyers’, our world of constant surveillance and trial by internet. Meanwhile, James Ball dives into how and why the influencers behind the ‘Magaverse’ are quietly losing their audiences. Kissing lawyers links: https://x.com/CasterNL/status/2080321741222518893?s=20 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dPE8EJ/ https://nypost.com/2026/07/30/us-news/lawyer-caught-canoodling-in-central-park-stands-to-lose-millions-as-lucrative-job-offer-reneged/ https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/gen-z-age-gaps-relationships-dating-opinion-5HjdZZx_2/ Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for your first month. https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/touchinggrass/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Deal or No Deal, and should men pay for everything?

45 min

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 emulates Noel Edmonds and takes us through how choosing between £50,000 or a 50% chance of a million is actually very political. Lucy Reade meanwhile unpacks High Value Womanhood, the new genre of girls demanding men pay for everything in relationships.    £50,000 v a million links: https://bsky.app/profile/zachrabiroff.com/post/3mrgdqigcrc27  https://bsky.app/profile/nicholasgrossman.bsky.social/post/3mrg6f4mtk22x  https://bsky.app/profile/jlray.bsky.social/post/3mrnf4jlza22g  https://bsky.app/profile/zachrabiroff.com/post/3mrgdqigcrc27 Gold digger links: https://x.com/aspenn_colorado/status/2079745872645284176 https://www.thetimes.com/us/news-today/article/dating-car-uber-ella-freimann-9p33hh2pl https://www.instagram.com/reel/DY9yJQAN6Os/?igsh=MXBnYjJ6amdxbzB0bA%3D%3D https://x.com/FindomCentral/status/2070476166113206508?s=20 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers OFFER: Subscribe to The New World for just £1 for your first month. https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/touchinggrass/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The worst Odyssey reactions and the Washington Post’s very bad YouTube channel

42 min

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 very worst online reactions to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and James Ball introduces us to the Washington Post’s very bad YouTube channel. Odyssey posts: https://x.com/MattWalshBlog/status/2079385765402833029?s=20 https://x.com/RealAlexJones/status/2018281925488631853?s=20 https://x.com/OliLondonTV/status/2077320379748790543?s=20 Make it Make Sense: https://www.youtube.com/@mimsshow  https://bsky.app/profile/bencollins.bsky.social/post/3mqx6j3d2gc2r  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuxVLumbP5U  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk9U88GJuSE  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slYGWyliHJ4  https://x.com/JeffBezos/status/1894757287052362088  https://x.com/davejorgenson/status/1478840095499247621?s=21  Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Minions, God and AI climate anxiety

39 min

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 manages to link the new Minions movie to questioning the meaning of God, and Lucy Reade discusses how climate anxiety around AI might be more of a moral panic than we think. Minions links: https://x.com/raissaverso/status/2052464875356532743 https://www.polygon.com/minions-questions-do-minions-reproduce-can-they-die-did-they-work-for-hitler/ https://x.com/EndymionYT/status/2072809128918213119 https://www.instagram.com/p/DalTgM2mPAK/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D  AI links: https://x.com/rayxkilli/status/2074958811874418989?s=20 https://x.com/metajiini_klen/status/1983676664354669054?s=20 https://www.tiktok.com/@zahra.earthh/video/7640892713721679117?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7629351219308676630 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Taylor Swift's wedding and the latest BookTok drama

45 min

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 talk about the highly controversial wedding of global megastar Taylor Swift, as well as the latest BookTok drama. Taylor Swift links: https://www.dailymail.com/tvshowbiz/article-15956673/Taylor-Swift-tacky-wedding-Travis-Kelce-insiders-buffet-Alison-Boshoff.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline https://x.com/baaulp/status/2073588363668451332?s=46 https://x.com/kissmarrykill13/status/2073938886217134523?s=46 BookTok links: https://youtu.be/R0TMtY_xdgU?si=XsALiawu9A_rfFFZ&t=173  https://youtu.be/R0TMtY_xdgU?si=FyLQfxaXCsktWEbd&t=313  https://youtu.be/R0TMtY_xdgU?si=kFod1gnFkc4IagZ3&t=631  Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chargebacks and time blindness

37 min

Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to people sensible enough to spend their time offline. In this week’s episode, James Ball delves into the terrible TikTok advice on how to commit credit card fraud via chargeback, and Lucy Reade unpacks the internet discourse surrounding whether perpetual lateness is a moral failing or a disability. Chargeback links: https://www.tiktok.com/@carrington.fisk/video/7501457984606899502 https://www.tiktok.com/@scrunchieluxe/video/7605450123618962708  https://bsky.app/profile/sesmith.lol/post/3mp4ri524n52x  Lateness links: https://x.com/dilrhubarb/status/2069348621208948746?s=20 https://x.com/ShayWoulahan/status/2070019497809854697?s=20 https://x.com/privatebirb/status/2070179903786655762?s=20 https://x.com/Brien_Jackson/status/2070284553046884474?s=20 https://www.tiktok.com/@chaotic_philosopher/video/7255063782970445098?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Starmtroopers over here, Looksmaxxers over there

33 min

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 tells us about the cult of the Starmtroopers and how they’re coping with the prime minister’s departure, while James Ball discusses why the online Looksmaxxers need some serious lessons in biology. Links to Starmtrooper posts: https://x.com/NondescriptRed/status/2069016131419914646?s=20 https://x.com/ChristianHeiens/status/2069204137191825571?s=20 https://x.com/fortnitebigboss/status/2068987930853380444?s=20 https://x.com/orm0nde/status/2068017037507514483 https://x.com/mikeysmith/status/2069118961149460740?s=20  Clavicular post: https://x.com/Clavicular0/status/2069045565766185289 Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here a2bd228003020aad53894489b1cccb203bc94e39 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the UK government be banning social media for under-16s?

44 min

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 is A Very Special Episode ™️, as Lucy Reade and James Ball discuss the recent UK government announcement that social media will be banned for under-16s. Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Phone bans at concerts, and Pattie Gonia v Patagonia

45 min

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 argue over phone-free concerts, as well as discuss the age-old story of the evil multinational corporation taking on the plucky independent creator… or is there more to the story than meets the eye? Links to Tiktok and X:  https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRvpx1Qu/ https://x.com/alexasversionn/status/2062924867108753783?s=20 https://x.com/inherentvibes/status/2063752210358685791?s=20 Links to Pattie Gonia v Patagonia:  https://business.cch.com/ipld/PatagoniaEntrepreneurEnterprisesComplaint20260121.pdf https://bsky.app/profile/kathryntewson.bsky.social/post/3mnbattd6x22e  Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Crying on LinkedIn and the latest Bonnie Blue controversy

45 min

CONTENT WARNING: The second half of this podcast contains content of an adult nature - you may want to switch to headphones if listening in a room with children. 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 explores the latest LinkedIn phenomenon: people publicly sharing videos of them crying about their jobs. Meanwhile, Lucy Reade unpacks the newest Bonnie Blue controversy, which has sparked fresh debate around the pro-life movement. Links to LinkedIn and TikTok:  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/anthony-parkinson_laid-off-you-are-not-alone-25-years-in-ugcPost-7448445900340846592-DCPW/  https://www.tiktok.com/@aimeesmalex/video/7563361266299948310  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/makenna-schumacher_leadership-marketing-corporateculture-share-7384716788393074688-QKS3/  https://bsky.app/profile/yougov.co.uk/post/3mnag6xppjk2h  Links to Bonnie Blue interview and Spectator piece:  https://x.com/LBC/status/2060378646993383918?s=20 https://spectator.com/article/bonnie-blue-and-the-truth-about-the-pro-life-movement/ Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can you fall in love with AI, and the great UK v US food debate

39 min

Welcome to Touching Grass, where two extremely online people attempt to explain internet discourse to those sensible enough to spend their time offline. This week, Lucy Reade unpacks what happens to people in love with AI when their chatbots’ coding is changed, and the rise of AI relationships among younger generations, while James Ball has accidentally waded into the great UK vs US debate on food and the weird politics which accompany it. Links to X and Reddit posts and Telegraph article: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/25/schoolboys-ai-girlfriends/ https://x.com/boundandwoven/status/2058238387472216304?s=46 https://x.com/signalxsoul/status/2058171068133654862?s=46 https://x.com/groksbride/status/2017130525664956424?s=46 https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/s/oepRe3Zd2o https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/s/0tpWm91Q4x https://www.reddit.com/r/MyBoyfriendIsAI/s/tpajWPaRKU Links to Tiktoks and Bluesky food discourse:  https://www.tiktok.com/@kjordyyy/video/7548881266955947287?q=british%20seasoning&t=1779781821401  https://www.tiktok.com/@emhdder/video/7137731683268267265?q=british%20seasoning&t=1779781821401  https://www.tiktok.com/@harrisonpawluk/video/7548059143551356178?q=british%20food&t=1779781665478 https://bsky.app/profile/jamesrball.com/post/3mmheaz2qhk2u https://bsky.app/profile/youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com/post/3mm4rkh3q3k2h  https://bsky.app/profile/youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com/post/3mm4rrxgmic2h Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The fascist video game row, and why are teens obsessed with New Labour politicians?

40 min

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 dives into the debate over whether video games can be fascist, while Lucy Reade unpacks the baffling teen obsession with New Labour politicians – and their love lives.  Links from the episode: Links to full Mass Effect thread: https://bsky.app/profile/machineiv.bsky.social/post/3mksstm3vss2u  Links to Tiktoks: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtaYvwn/  https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtaURon/ https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtaF1m2/ Presented by James Ball and Lucy Reade Produced by Matt Withers Subscribe to The New World for just £5 for five weeks here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Touching Grass - Coming Soon

1 min

Welcome to Touching Grass, the new podcast on online culture from The New World. Telling someone to 'touch grass' means they need to get off their screen and get back in touch with reality - an insult which has been levelled many times at Lucy Reade and James Ball. This podcast is essentially two people who spend way too much time on the internet trying to explain what's going on there to people with much healthier lives. James provides the Millennial perspective. Lucy explains what Gen Z are up to. Expect confusing discourse, culture wars and bizarre influencer scandals. They'll try to explain why you should care about any of this - and also, sometimes, why you shouldn't. It's 2026, after all - there's no escaping the internet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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