Looking for engaging weekend reading material? The Guardian has curated six standout articles from the past week that cover everything from concerning childbirth practices to evolving perspectives on musical legends.
Investigation Reveals Free Birth Society Dangers
Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne's year-long investigation into the Free Birth Society (FBS) has uncovered disturbing connections between the US-based business and multiple cases of serious harm to infants. The journalists identified 48 instances of severe outcomes, including late-term stillbirths and neonatal deaths, involving mothers or birth attendants associated with FBS.
Medical experts describe the organisation's approach as providing "dangerous" misinformation to women about giving birth without medical professionals present. While FBS maintains its content serves educational purposes rather than medical advice, dismissing criticism as inaccurate propaganda, the investigation raises significant concerns about unassisted childbirth advocacy.
Readers can anticipate The Birth Keepers podcast arriving soon on the Guardian Investigates feed, providing deeper insights into this critical issue.
Cultural Explorations and Personal Journeys
Guardian pop critic Alexis Petridis embarked on an unexpected journey into free jazz, "arguably the most challenging and far-out music one can listen to". Despite his usual preference for experimental sounds, Petridis discovered that Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore's new guidebook completely transformed his understanding of this historically maligned genre.
In another revealing piece, former footballer and emerging Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Carney opened up about her experiences with online abuse and how the dance competition has helped rebuild her confidence. Carney shared with Emine Saner how past bullying affected her self-esteem and discussed her current happiness alongside her passion for women's football.
Social Changes and Cultural Phenomena
Britain's living rooms are disappearing at an alarming rate, according to recent research highlighted by Leah Harper. The investigation reveals that nearly half (49%) of UK renters report their living spaces now function as bedrooms, forcing residents to socialise and eat in kitchens, bedrooms, and even stairwells.
This shift raises important questions about community building and relaxation without proper communal areas in homes across the country.
Charlie Shackleton's exploration of the true crime industry offers a behind-the-scenes look at documentary making, revealing how his attempt to create a fresh perspective on the Zodiac Killer case instead led him to examine our collective fascination with violent stories.
Meanwhile, music historian Stuart Maconie examines the four distinct eras of critical understanding surrounding the Beatles. With new projects including the returning Anthology and Sam Mendes's planned biopics, Maconie questions whether these developments will encourage us to see the band as evolving subjects rather than fixed historical figures.
These six compelling stories provide diverse perspectives on contemporary issues, from public health concerns to cultural evolution, offering plenty of food for thought for weekend readers.
