The Lead Digest: Nigeria's art scene, NHS nightmares and a dispatch from the States
Our round-up by The Lead’s team of what we’ve been reading, listening to, scrolling and watching each week.
Here at The Lead, we like to consume just as much as we create, which is why we spend a little time each week rounding up our favourite stories, books, podcasts and films to offer our readers a sample of the work that informs our world.
Ella recommends Mattha Busby’s latest long-read in The Dispatch. It is a powerful piece of vivid, compassionate reporting about America’s most notorious open-air drug scene, the emergence of a new, extremely strong substance named medetomidine – and, most importantly, the people at the centre of it. For lighter reading, she also found Kevin Munger’s analysis of the latest social media usage stats extremely interesting.
Natalie recommends this eye-opening and bleak read about trying to navigate the wildly convoluted wheelchair service in the NHS – and the pitfalls of an over-reliance on external contracts within the health service (privatisation).
She also really enjoyed reading this account from Precious Adesina on the vibrant Nigerian art scene and how Nigeria is not only producing great artists, but is also building the spaces and institutions to support their longevity and success.
Zoë loved this hilarious profile of former Conservative MP Jonathan Gullis by “The Secret Tory” Henry Morris.
Ed recommends this interesting article on the rise of the loss of hope – a rather gloomy read, but it also taps into why disillusionment and apathy are topics we will be tackling in the new year too.
Luke is recommending arguably the biggest TV release of the decade with the drop of part one of Stranger Things. He says it’s absolutely fantastic, crammed full of pop culture references but also plenty of plot points that manage to be surprising while still making sense. They’re going to stick the landing much better than Game of Thrones did. And no, it doesn’t matter that the cast have grown up.
Watched, read or listened to something you think we’d like to feature? Drop ella@thelead.uk a line and we will consider for inclusion. And feel free to share this post to a friend or family member who you think needs some reading or listening inspiration!
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