The Cultural Review

Social Connection

4 articles

Festivalgoers at Coachella connect through Heineken smart bands that glow to indicate shared music preferences.
Music

Heineken smart bands match festivalgoers to music at Coachella

At Coachella 2026, Heineken debuted 'The Clinker,' a smart device designed to attach to beer cans and illuminate upon contact with another festival-goer, signaling music compatibility.

Andre Silva·April 18, 2026
Diverse group of people engaged in a lively book club discussion in a warm, inviting community space.
Culture

Local reading clubs build global momentum and community engagement

In Brooklyn, "The Page Turners" reading club swelled from 10 to 150 members in just 18 months, according to Local News Report.

Yasmin El-Sayed·April 13, 2026
A diverse group of people, young and old, animatedly discussing books around a table in a sunlit, cozy room, symbolizing the enduring power of communal reading and intellectual connection.
Books

Enduring Book Clubs From Iowa to Paris Signal a New Era of Communal Reading

In an age of digital atomization, the quiet persistence of enduring book clubs, both old and new, signals a powerful human need for shared intellectual and social connection.

Claire Donovan·April 4, 2026
Diverse group of people from various generations and cultures discussing books in a warm, inviting setting, symbolizing enduring global book club models and their community impact.
Books

3 Models of the Most Enduring Book Clubs Globally

Discover three enduring book club models that persist across generations and borders, fulfilling vital human needs. This guide explores archetypes of reading circles evaluated by their transformative impact and cultural resonance.

Claire Donovan·April 4, 2026