Touching Grass

The New World

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.

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23 episodes
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Tuesday · 47 min
Right wing Harry Potter fanfiction and 2 Kelly 2 Furious
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.
October 13 · 51 min
Kelly Clarkson gets Pretty-Womaned, and should you use ChatGPT to answer all your questions?
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.
October 6 · 54 min
Is Zionism racism and an update from Elon Musk
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.
September 29 · 53 min
Fairford falsehoods and KFC cannibalism claims
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.
September 22 · 53 min
The great iced coffee row, and is internet hustle culture getting out of hand?
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.
September 15 · 47 min
Aella, and why BookTok has changed how people read
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.
September 8 · 56 min
The tragic case of Lindsey Clancy, and are GLP-1 drugs fascist?
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.
September 1 · 52 min
Right wing pick me influencers and dating app discourse
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.
August 18 · 54 min
Dobby's grave and problematic internet boyfriends
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.
August 11 · 45 min
The Sex Purge Movie, and catching predators
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.
August 4 · 43 min
Panopticons and the fall of the Magaverse
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.
July 28 · 45 min
Deal or No Deal, and should men pay for everything?
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.
July 21 · 42 min
The worst Odyssey reactions and the Washington Post’s very bad YouTube channel
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.
July 14 · 39 min
Minions, God and AI climate anxiety
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.
July 7 · 45 min
Taylor Swift's wedding and the latest BookTok drama
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.
June 30 · 37 min
Chargebacks and time blindness
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.
June 23 · 33 min
Starmtroopers over here, Looksmaxxers over there
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.
June 16 · 44 min
Should the UK government be banning social media for under-16s?
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.
June 9 · 45 min
Phone bans at concerts, and Pattie Gonia v Patagonia
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.
June 2 · 45 min
Crying on LinkedIn and the latest Bonnie Blue controversy
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.

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