Mean Girls: Unfair Portrayal or Anthropological Classic?

Mean Girls: Unfair Portrayal or Anthropological Classic?

In my latest episode, I examine the movie Mean Girls through an anthropological lens, exploring how the film reflects real-world dynamics of female adolescence—power structures, social hierarchies and the complex rituals that shape teenage identity. Having a relook at this classic teen comedy, I consider whether the film communicates unfair caricatures or insightful interpretations of girlhood and peer culture. I examine why Mean Girls endures as both cultural commentary and a compelling narrative about ambition, belonging and social behavior.

How to Kill Time: Capitalism, Leisure and Productivity in Michael Ende's Momo (1973)

In this episode of Rakshasi’s Ramblings, I talk about German writer Michael Ende’s children’s fantasy novel, Momo. In Momo, the writer asks us to pause, to see time not as a resource to be hoarded, but as something we inhabit. Through the symbolic Grey Men and the innocent perception of young Momo, Ende unpacks how modern life’s obsession with productivity and efficiency corrodes our connection to the present. In this episode, I explore how the book reveals the costs of our hurried existence, and what it might offer us in reclaiming a more mindful, meaningful relationship with time.

The Psychology of a Stalker - You & Baby Reindeer

In this episode I primarily talk about the series based on the book You by Carolyn Kepnes about fictional serial killer and stalker Joe Goldberg. I compare it to the series Baby Reindeer by Richard Gadd inspired by his real life stalker and also make minor references to one of my favourite books from my teenage years, The Collector by John Fowls. In it, I examine the psyche of the stalker and bring in some of my personal experiences as well.  Link to blog post: https://www.atomicrakshasi.com/post/three-stalkers-which-one-is-your-fav YouTube video with fan art: https://youtu.be/HGAQD03pWhA?si=WbbPMfY9YYbuCjOs

Somnophilia: More a Crime Than a Kink

Today I’ll be talking about somnophilia, a paraphilia that many would consider a normalized crime but isn’t often criminalized, and also its prevalence in our global cultural history. I encourage audience members who are sensitive to such topics such as sexual assault to avoid this episode. Original blog post: https://www.atomicrakshasi.com/post/somnophilia-more-a-crime-than-a-kink Video with art: https://youtu.be/VjxN1J1pHVc?si=I0qjBolpbo8Um7rD

The Great Indian Marriage

A review of the Malayalam film 'The Great Indian Kitchen' dir. Jeo Baby examining the cultural implications of arranged marriage and the misogyny very clearly depicted in the film.  For the original blog post please go to: https://www.atomicrakshasi.com/post/the-great-indian-marriage