The Week Unwrapped: Antisocial Saudis, hormone therapy and retro tech

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. With Arion McNicoll, Emma Smith and Jess Hullinger.

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In this week’s episode, we discuss:

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Saudi Arabia’s relationship with social media

Saudi Arabia is seeking the death penalty for Awad Al-Qarni, an academic accused of using Twitter – which is banned there – to spread stories that are harmful to the kingdom. The Saudi government, meanwhile, has been investing heavily in social media companies, including Twitter and Meta. What is behind this ambivalent approach to social media, and how will Mohammed bin Salman, who likes to present himself as a reforming leader, resolve the contradiction?

Trans hormone therapy and fertility

The University of Amsterdam published research this week which showed that nine trans women who had been taking hormone therapy returned to producing viable sperm when they stopped the treatment. The significance of the result – apart from the effect on the individuals – is that a belief that the effect of HRT is irreversible has been cited in support of bans or restrictions on prescribing it to trans women.

The rise of retro tech

The Sony Walkman is back, and it seems to be riding a wave of technology aimed at Gen Z consumers who are seeking out “vintage” products. Part of the appeal may be the retro-cool aesthetic, but some young people are actively seeking out less connectivity. Unlike smartphones, which bring together all your entertainment and communication needs in one device, the Walkman makes a virtue of playing music and nothing else, sealing users off from the distraction of email notifications and social media alerts.