Over the past few years, I've watched artist after artist share genuinely incredible work online, only to be met with comments that have absolutely nothing to do with what they've created. Instead, people fixate on the person. Their gender. Their race. Their sexuality. Being criticised for the quality of your work actually feels like a luxury now. At least then people are responding to the work itself.

In 2008, Wall Street crashed. (This is relevant, stay with me) In September 2008, all hope was lost, and the financial crisis reached its summit. This had begun in 2007, slowly, then all at once. Mass unemployment, skyrocketing house prices, and generally a financial world that was now unrecognisable, and one that here in 2026 we can agree has never truly healed.