ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
Author of "The Destruction and Creation of Michael Jackson" (above), "Elizabeth Taylor" (both published by Bloomsbury) and "Celebrity Culture" (Routledge, now in its 3rd edition). Regular contributor to Fair Observer magazine. .. more
Author of "The Destruction and Creation of Michael Jackson" (above), "Elizabeth Taylor" (both published by Bloomsbury) and "Celebrity Culture" (Routledge, now in its 3rd edition). Regular contributor to Fair Observer magazine.
Ellis Cashmore is a British sociologist and cultural critic. He is currently a visiting professor of sociology at Aston University. Before teaching at Aston, he used to teach culture, media and sport at Staffordshire University, starting in 1993. Before 1993, he taught sociology at the University of Tampa, Florida; and, before this, he was a lecturer in sociology at the University of Hong Kong. He is a regular contributor at Fair Observer. .. more
Political science
36%
Sociology
30%
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Twelve days until Australia’s idiotic social-media ban kicks in. We should thank the Aussies for volunteering as the canaries in the coal pit — with similar fates.
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#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #DigitalRights #Australia #Meta #TeensOnline
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
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#AusPol #SocialMediaBan #DigitalRights #Australia #Meta #TeensOnline
via @myfairobserver.bsky.social
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban ... why it's doomed to fail.
fairobserver.com/business/tec...
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@canberratimes.bsky.social
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban
Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 is set to take effect on December 10 — becoming the world’s first prohibition...
fairobserver.com
Australia’s Idiotic Social Media Ban @elliscashmore
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fairobserver.com
A Century of Royal Scandal 👑🔥
From the 1936 abdication to the Andrew–Epstein debacle, I chart a 100 years of Windsor controversies in @fairobserver.bsky.social
An interactive timeline: fairobserver.com/timeline/a-c...
#RoyalFamily #Windsor #Monarchy #UKPolitics #Scandal #PrinceAndrew #Epstein
From the 1936 abdication to the Andrew–Epstein debacle, I chart a 100 years of Windsor controversies in @fairobserver.bsky.social
An interactive timeline: fairobserver.com/timeline/a-c...
#RoyalFamily #Windsor #Monarchy #UKPolitics #Scandal #PrinceAndrew #Epstein
Is Taylor Swift Really as Great as Shakespeare?*
Taylor Swift dominates global culture as her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, breaks sales records and cements her influence across media.
www.fairobserver.com
🚨 IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE? 🎤🎨🎼
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—but can she match the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
READ NOW IN #FairObserver 👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/is-t...
#TaylorSwift #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness #MusicCanon
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—but can she match the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
READ NOW IN #FairObserver 👉 www.fairobserver.com/culture/is-t...
#TaylorSwift #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness #MusicCanon
IS TAYLOR SWIFT REALLY AS GREAT AS SHAKESPEARE?🔥
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—she’s already a legend. But can she exceed the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
COMING SOON IN #FairObserver
#TaylorSwift #ErasTour #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness
Her albums break records, her tours make history 🏟️—she’s already a legend. But can she exceed the artistic giants she now stands alongside?
COMING SOON IN #FairObserver
#TaylorSwift #ErasTour #PopCulture #Swifties #ArtisticGreatness
Stabbing considered to be an isolated incident, says defence secretary. How about: Manchester synagogue attack (Oct 2025), Uxbridge (Oct 2025), Nottingham (June 2023), Reading (June 2020)? #TrainAttack #Security #PublicSafety @btsofficialtweets.bsky.social
@metpolice.bsky.social
@metpolice.bsky.social
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Oct 29
📘 1st published (privately): 1928, Florence
🚫 Banned: 1928–1960 in UK
✅ First legal UK edition: November 1, 1960
📚 Nov 1, 1960, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social
published Lady Chatterley’s Lover after winning a landmark obscenity trial
#DHLawrence #LadyChatterleysLover #OnThisDay #Censorship
🚫 Banned: 1928–1960 in UK
✅ First legal UK edition: November 1, 1960
📚 Nov 1, 1960, @penguinbooksusa.bsky.social
published Lady Chatterley’s Lover after winning a landmark obscenity trial
#DHLawrence #LadyChatterleysLover #OnThisDay #Censorship
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Oct 16
When the Spell Breaks for Taylor Swift and J.K. Rowling
Taylor Swift and J.K. Rowling — arguably two of the world’s most influential women — face renewed public criticism as their art..
www.fairobserver.com
Taylor Swift & JK Rowling: icons whose work defines eras and embodies female empowerment. Now, both are under fire like never before. I explore the fallout here: fairobserver.com/culture/when... www.fairobserver.com/culture/when...
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Oct 10
Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us?
Where most celebrities rise, saturate the media and fade, former football star David Beckham remains in the limelight.
www.fairobserver.com
⚽️ A quarter-century ago, @politybooks.bsky.social
asked me to write a book on a rising footballer who later became a global celebrity.
Why does the world still find David Beckham 🕶️fascinating?
Answer 🔗
www.fairobserver.com/region/europ... @politybooks.bsky.social
asked me to write a book on a rising footballer who later became a global celebrity.
Why does the world still find David Beckham 🕶️fascinating?
Answer 🔗
www.fairobserver.com/region/europ... @politybooks.bsky.social
Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us?
Where most celebrities rise, saturate the media and fade, former football star David Beckham remains in the limelight.
www.fairobserver.com
She studied fame like others study design — and built a brand that never fades.
In the new Netflix doc, Victoria Beckham says, “It’s not about him, it’s about me.”
I’d say she’s right. My analysis in @myfairobserver:
🔗 www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...
In the new Netflix doc, Victoria Beckham says, “It’s not about him, it’s about me.”
I’d say she’s right. My analysis in @myfairobserver:
🔗 www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...
🎤 Ellis Cashmore will be speaking at the Sociology in Action event on 5 December about the evolution of celebrity culture. First event sold out, but tickets for this one are still available: educationinaction.org.uk/speaker/elli... #CelebrityCulture #Timeline #FairObserver
COMING SOON in #FairObserver: Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us? ⭐️Most celebrities fade after their peak but David & Victoria remain a global brand—bridging generations, reinventing themselves and still captivating audiences. Why?
#Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham
#Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Sep 30
COMING SOON in #FairObserver: Why Do the Beckhams Still Fascinate Us? ⭐️
Most celebrities fade after their peak but David & Victoria remain a global brand—bridging generations, reinventing themselves and still captivating audiences. Why?
#Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham
Most celebrities fade after their peak but David & Victoria remain a global brand—bridging generations, reinventing themselves and still captivating audiences. Why?
#Beckham #VictoriaBeckham #DavidBeckham
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Sep 22
The UK's first TV advert: Gibbs SR toothpaste | Unilever
YouTube video by Unilever
youtube.com
Today marks 70 years since the UK’s first ever TV ad aired: Gibbs SR toothpaste (22 Sept 1955). Even then, advertising was already seeping into every corner of social life. Now, it's inescapable.
Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=Eeu3... @ITV
#OTD #TVHistory #Advertising #Marketing
Watch it here: youtube.com/watch?v=Eeu3... @ITV
#OTD #TVHistory #Advertising #Marketing
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Sep 21
Tokyo 2025 is Britain’s worst performance in global athletics in 20 years. 🇬🇧🥈🥈🥈🥉🥉 Just 5 medals (0 golds). The last time GB did worse was Helsinki 2005, with only 3 medals.
#WorldAthletics #Tokyo2025 #TeamGB #Athletics #TrackandField #GoldStandardFunding
#WorldAthletics #Tokyo2025 #TeamGB #Athletics #TrackandField #GoldStandardFunding
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Sep 17
📢 #ALevel #Sociology students + teachers! Sociology in Action is back: 10 Nov, London 📷 #SociologyInAction #EducationInAction #SixthForm #CollegeLife #Students #SocialJustice educationinaction.org.uk/study-day/so...
@bjse.bsky.social u_in_action
@bjse.bsky.social u_in_action
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Sep 16
Anatomy of the Mushroom Murders
Australia’s “mushroom murders” have gripped the world. Erin Patterson is found guilty of poisoning her in-laws and a relative of her husband,
fairobserver.com
The Mushroom Murders: inexplicable, illogical, and terrifying. But what if the key lies not in psychology, but in sociology? @routledgehistory.bsky.social author @elliscashmore.bsky.social investigates:
fairobserver.com/culture/anat...
#StudySociology
#SociologyStudents
#SociologyDegree
#Sociology
fairobserver.com/culture/anat...
#StudySociology
#SociologyStudents
#SociologyDegree
#Sociology
In Memoriam: Giorgio Armani and the Rise of Designer Culture
Italian designer Giorgio Armani has passed away at the age of 91, marking the end of an era in fashion. His work represents a cultural shift...
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Armani wasn’t just about clothes. His designs embodied Bourdieu’s distinction and Bauman’s liquid modernity: style as social capital, identity as performance. In the 1980s, fashion became a way of being.
More in @FairObserver ⬇️
www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...
More in @FairObserver ⬇️
www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 29
20 Years After Diana, Princess of Wales
Even the most sober account of her life and death seems like a fairytale that got out of hand.
www.fairobserver.com
28 years ago this Sunday, the world lost Diana, Princess of Wales—a woman who redefined the monarchy and captivated the globe. I reflected on her life and legacy on the 20th anniversary: www.fairobserver.com/region/europ...
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
6 of 6
From 2000 to today knife attacks arrests and killings have haunted Carnival. Overzealous policing is often blamed yet few credible causes are offered. Carnival remains caught between joy and jeopardy.
#NottingHillCarnival #KnifeCrime #London #MetPolice #Carnival2025 #UKEvents
From 2000 to today knife attacks arrests and killings have haunted Carnival. Overzealous policing is often blamed yet few credible causes are offered. Carnival remains caught between joy and jeopardy.
#NottingHillCarnival #KnifeCrime #London #MetPolice #Carnival2025 #UKEvents
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
5 of 6
In 2000 the Stephen Lawrence report confirmed institutional racism in the Met. For Carnival it was a reminder that policing and prejudice were still entangled.
#NottingHillCarnival #StephenLawrence #InstitutionalRacism #MetPolice #BlackHistory
In 2000 the Stephen Lawrence report confirmed institutional racism in the Met. For Carnival it was a reminder that policing and prejudice were still entangled.
#NottingHillCarnival #StephenLawrence #InstitutionalRacism #MetPolice #BlackHistory
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
4 of 6
1981–84 saw riots in Brixton Toxteth and Handsworth. These uprisings exposed deep racial and social divisions which echoed through Notting Hill Carnival. Mistrust of police grew sharper.
#NottingHillCarnival #Brixton #Riots #RaceRelations #LondonHistory #Carnival
1981–84 saw riots in Brixton Toxteth and Handsworth. These uprisings exposed deep racial and social divisions which echoed through Notting Hill Carnival. Mistrust of police grew sharper.
#NottingHillCarnival #Brixton #Riots #RaceRelations #LondonHistory #Carnival
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
3 of 6
The 1980s brought the notorious “sus” laws. Stop-and-search powers fell hardest on Black youth and tensions with police escalated. Carnival became a flashpoint for conflict.
#NottingHillCarnival #SusLaws #MetPolice #BlackHistory #LondonEvents #Carnival
The 1980s brought the notorious “sus” laws. Stop-and-search powers fell hardest on Black youth and tensions with police escalated. Carnival became a flashpoint for conflict.
#NottingHillCarnival #SusLaws #MetPolice #BlackHistory #LondonEvents #Carnival
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
2 of 6
In the 1970s the rise of the Rastafari movement and reggae reshaped Carnival. A cultural showcase turned political stage giving it a distinct identity as both celebration and resistance.
#NottingHillCarnival #Rastafari #Reggae #BlackHistory #LondonCulture
In the 1970s the rise of the Rastafari movement and reggae reshaped Carnival. A cultural showcase turned political stage giving it a distinct identity as both celebration and resistance.
#NottingHillCarnival #Rastafari #Reggae #BlackHistory #LondonCulture
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
1 of 6
The first Carnival took place in 1959 a year after the Notting Hill race riots of 1958. Born as a Caribbean celebration and response to racial hostility it showed Britain its emerging problem of racism.
#NottingHillCarnival #CarnivalHistory #London #UKHistory #RaceRelations
The first Carnival took place in 1959 a year after the Notting Hill race riots of 1958. Born as a Caribbean celebration and response to racial hostility it showed Britain its emerging problem of racism.
#NottingHillCarnival #CarnivalHistory #London #UKHistory #RaceRelations
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 23
THE HISTORY OF NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 🎭🎶
Carnival begins today but its story stretches back over 60 years — from the 1958 race riots to Rastafari and reggae, from “sus” laws to knife crime. A 6-part thread on joy, struggle and the Met Police ⬇️
#NottingHillCarnival #London #CarnivalHistory #MetPolice
Carnival begins today but its story stretches back over 60 years — from the 1958 race riots to Rastafari and reggae, from “sus” laws to knife crime. A 6-part thread on joy, struggle and the Met Police ⬇️
#NottingHillCarnival #London #CarnivalHistory #MetPolice
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 22
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 22
5 of 6
💥 This case matters:
A #MeToo accused man fought back & lost.
Journalism in the public interest was upheld.
Victims’ voices were legally validated.
Due process confirmed cancellation wasn’t arbitrary—it was earned. #PressFreedom
💥 This case matters:
A #MeToo accused man fought back & lost.
Journalism in the public interest was upheld.
Victims’ voices were legally validated.
Due process confirmed cancellation wasn’t arbitrary—it was earned. #PressFreedom
ELLIS CASHMORE
@elliscashmore.bsky.social
· Aug 22