As I watched people glued to their phones I realised — we are forgetting how to talk
And yet something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it. Then Giles leant across the table. 'Have you noticed everyone here is on their phones?'
He was right. Entirely right. Next to us, two businessmen hadn't looked up from their emails once. Next to them, a family with two teenagers in baseball caps, ignoring their food and instead gorging lasciviously on TikTok
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Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I lived in an abandoned hospital - people are always horrified by one detail'
For three years, TikTok creator Aisha Barratt kept fans terrified and entertained with her footage of an abandoned hospital. But this was no urban exploration adventure - it was her home Few people would dare spend the night in an abandoned hospital, but could you imagine actually living in one? For Aisha Barratt, this isn't a situation out of a horror film - it's home. The TikToker lived in a disused hospital in London, as what is known as a 'property guardian', meaning a tenant who lives in an empty building, taking care of the premises for an enviably low rent. It's understood that some pay as little as £35 a week for this sort of set-up, and it makes sense for many as the ongoing cost of living crisis rumbles on. Naturally, Aisha's unusual living situation has garnered plenty of interest online, where she regularly documented what it's like to wander the corridors of a building which made her feel as though she was "the last woman on Earth". It comes after a woman claimed 'My friend is naming her baby after a fish – she can't see how ugly it is'. Aisha no longer lives in the abandoned hospital, which she has described as a "wild time". The London-based influencer, who has since moved to a 'cute girly apartment', lived in the unique property for three years, and fans couldn't get enough of her eerie content. In a tour she filmed to mark the 'end of an era', Aisha showed her fascinated followers the radiographer cupboards she used to use as wardrobes, and revealed that she would also use an X-ray cupboard to store sweets. She said: "So much you can do with these non-conventional spaces. That's part of the fun of it." Although she shared how she would miss the "little quirks" of her spooky home, TV producer Aisha admitted that she certainly wouldn't miss having to dust every five minutes. In a previous video, Aisha poked fun at the idea that the old abandoned place may be haunted, joking: "POV: You live in an abandoned so you have to sage every corridor you go down." Naturally, followers were curious about Aisha's living situation, but many didn't fancy it too much themselves. Commenting on one clip, where Aisha can be "modelling [her] first leather coat and biker boots fit of the season for the ghosts", one person shuddered: "Wow I would not be able to sleep ha ha brave girl." In another clip, where Aisha showed how the building contained boarded-off sections and restricted zones, a second follower gasped: "How did you decide to live in an abandoned hospital? What if people break in to explore or smth? How are you so brave?" A third simply asked: "Why do you live there?" Those of a more nervous disposition may be relieved to learn that Aisha was not alone during her long stay in the hospital. Although she had her own private room, which she was responsible for taking care of, she shared the building with some 150 people, under the property guardianship scheme. Outlining this scheme to those who had no idea there was such a thing, Aisha explained: "There's a building: an office, a school, a church, a hospital. The owner wants to do something with it like demolish it, extend it, or turn it into something else but they need time for planning permission to go through. You don't want don't a tenant, you don't want a business in there, so you put some [property] guardians in there." She continued, "Guardians know that when you get your notice, you have to go. In exchange for that, guardians get cheaper rent [and] great locations."
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Why it is good to see Edinburgh Book Festival embracing the BookTok generation
BookTok has become a mainstay of bookshops across the country - and it is bringing a love of reading to a new generation. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... I spent Friday evening at the Edinburgh Book Festival, something that has become a near annual tradition ever since I went on trips with my school library as a child. No trip to the book festival is complete without a trip to the bookshop tent. This year there is a section for popular BookTok books, something that is becoming a familiar sight in bookshops up and down the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BookTok started off as a subcommunity on TikTok, but more recently it has become shorthand for all social media content dedicated to books and reading. BookTok has brought a love of reading to a new generation. | Unsplash There has been an explosion in people's love for books since the pandemic. There are many reasons for this, but BookTok is one. A poll by The Publisher's Association found that 59 per cent of 16 to 25 year olds found a passion for reading thanks to BookTok. Forbes says #BooKTok has accumulated over 370 billion views. It is not without its critics. There are some who argue this is the end of 'proper' literature, as authors and publishers are sacrificing originality and creativity for the sake of online marketability. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is true to a certain extent. There is a diminishing level of quality in some of the literature produced to help fuel the never-ending desire of the BookTok community. I have certainly read a fair number of BookTokbooks over the past year (that I have thoroughly enjoyed) that have been badly edited with spelling and grammatical errors. There are others where printing quality has fallen short of the mark because of speed. But this is no reason to deride the readers - this is on the publishing companies who need to remember to think about quality rather than solely on profit. It is also a rather simplistic view to assume all BookTok books are anti-intellectual and not as good as 'real' books. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Let's take The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller as an example (one of my favourite books) - it is a reimagining of The Iliad and one of the most popular BookTok books. The author spent around a decade writing the book, has a masters degree in classics and teaches Latin and Greek, and now hundreds of thousands of people are reading about ancient Greece thanks to social media. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice has seen a spike in popularity thanks to BookTok, despite being published 200 years ago. Readers can hardly be criticised for indulging in this just because they were inspired by an influencer online. I understand not all BookTok books are like this. Many are romance books that are written like a popular trope checklist, published at rapid speed and even copying cover designs of other popular books to hit a certain audience. Some bookshops wrongly assume these trope-heavy, quick-read romances are all BookTok is, and therefore fill their BookTok section accordingly. But there is so much more to BookTok in reality and it is an unfortunate symptom of the somewhat misogynistic view of the kind of readers on these platforms. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Personally, it is great to see Edinburgh Book Festival embracing BookTok. It is bringing a love of reading to a new generation and that, whether it is a literary classic or a pop romance, should be celebrated.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Primark's 'statement' £16 bag perfect for autumn 'looks designer'
Shoppers on social media love the bag, which is 'easy to wear' and 'big enough for your essentials' Primark is stocking a 'statement' bag that's 'easy to wear' and 'looks designer.' Known for its affordable clothing and accessories, the retailer could have another hit on its hands with the £16 style. The Mixed Metal Studded Tote wowed fashion influencer Miya Kalith during a recent trip to Primark. Posting on TikTok as @miyakalith, she showcased her favourite picks from the retailer's new range, which included the studded tote. The bag comes in a trendy chocolate brown tone, perfect for autumn, and has studs that add a touch of glamour. According to Primark, the style is designed to 'add some sparkle to your everyday.' The product description explains: "In a rich chocolate brown with a soft, suede-like finish, it's covered in a mix of gold-tone and silver-tone studs for a statement look. "The slouchy shape makes it easy to wear, while the wide single strap sits comfortably on your shoulder. Big enough for your essentials (and then some), it's a go-to for days when you want style and practicality in one." Praising the bags to her 10,000 followers, @miyakalith wrote: "Primark bags are giving designers." Her caption added: "All are under £20. Sorry but these are giving high vibes." The Mixed Metal Studded Tote also proved popular when it was showcased in another TikTok video by Olivia Brittany Grace, who posts online as @oliviabrittany. In her video, Olivia showcased the £16 bag alongside its smaller lookalike, an £11 Studded Rectangular Shoulder Bag. The product description for the shoulder bag says: "Carry a touch of attitude with this chocolate brown rectangular shoulder bag crafted from soft faux suede. Its long, narrow shape is perfect for slipping under your arm or wearing with the adjustable shoulder strap. "The front is decorated with a mix of gold and silver-toned studs in various sizes, adding texture and interest. A secure zip top closure keeps your essentials safe, while gold-toned hardware adds a polished finish. Stylish yet practical, this bag is ready to upgrade your everyday look with a subtle hint of sparkle." As seen in the video, the bags are studded on one side and plain on the other - a design feature that has impressed shoppers, who think it adds versatility. Reacting to the TikTok video, a fan praised: "1 bag, 2 styles! Bargain." Although it wasn't showcased in either video, there's also a £14 Studded Bowler Bag with the same eye-catching design. The product description for the bowler bag says: "Add a statement to your outfit with this brown bowler bag crafted from soft faux suede. Covered in mixed metal studs in various sizes, it brings a bold yet stylish touch. "The two rounded top handles make it easy to carry, while the zip-top closure keeps your belongings secure. Gold-toned hardware, including rings for an optional shoulder strap, adds a polished finish. Spacious and structured, this bag is perfect for everyday use when you want a little extra sparkle."
