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Ten websites to get you talking

Date

Rachael Oakes-Ash

Zoom in on this story. Explore all there is to know.

Great websites deserve an award.

Great websites deserve an award. Photo: iStock

Finding yourself out of touch with current affairs and popular culture trends when the next big thing is discussed at the dinner party? If you are short on time and need to stay on top of what is happening in the world, bookmark these websites for your go-to daily summary of global movements and zeitgeist. You will never be lost for dinner party words again.

The Huffington Post

Arianna Huffington's news and opinion site collects news items from various sources and covers all the current news and trending topics across politics, news, environment and lifestyle. The site has won a Pulitzer and various big-name writers, bloggers and thinkers have offered their bylines. 

Mashable

All things social media, technology, mobile technology, entertainment and more. Started as a blog by Peter Cashmore in 2005, Mashable has become a one-stop website for those wanting to be a step ahead in the fast-changing world of social media. Covers big brand names to start-up companies and more.

So Bad So Good

Dubbed “the best and the worst of the web” the So Bad So Good site does the trawling for you. From mashups to memes, GIFs and never-before-seen images, stop here to impress your friends with your web knowledge.

Monocle

You may know Tyler Brule as the founder of style shrine Wallpaper magazine. Not any more. Brule is the creative name behind Monocle, a global affairs print magazine and online source that expanded into a global radio program, retail outlets and now a café in London. Online content is only available to subscribers, so sign up now.

VICE

VICE is a magazine, record label, pub and entertainment venue and documentary production company. VICE's rebel spin on global issues is also documented on YouTube. The VICE documentary channel has almost 2.5 million subscribers and "specialises in exploring uncomfortable truths and going to places we don't belong". Guaranteed to get people talking.

Vivino

The free Vivino app can recognise more than half a million different wines. How? Take a pic of the label on your smartphone camera and instantly find the information, heritage, vintner and more. Never look like a wine imbecile again.

Salon

Personal essays, political rants, original news investigations, and breaking news define Salon as one of the original defining news sites. Founded in 1995 by David Talbot, most writing focuses on American issues but global entertainment, women's issues and economics are also covered.

Sulia

Sulia is the world's first subject-based social network that is an aggregate for all your favoured topics and interests. You can favour topics and people, and content is recommended or suggested to you based on your nominated topics. Follow those who post about your interests and be followed by others too.

Newser

Michael Wolff from Vanity Fair created Newser in 2007. The idea is simple and the tag line “read less know more” says it all. Whether you prefer hard or soft news, each item is summarised with links from a main page grid. Choose to read more or less.

Slate

Founded under Microsoft then purchased by The Washington Post Company, Slate is an argument-driven news site that covers news, politics, arts, sports and the like. Journalists also write longer feature pieces that are highly interactive with weeks and months spent in research and production.

20 comments

  • Uhh... Reddit?

    Commenter
    BC
    Location
    Melbourne
    Date and time
    May 29, 2013, 1:45PM
    • The problem with reddit is having to trawl through all the rubbish to find one or two decent articles.

      Commenter
      Foxy Trollwolf
      Location
      Australian Property Forum
      Date and time
      May 29, 2013, 8:01PM
  • The Morning News is also a great site: essays and arty pieces, as well as a wrap-up of headlines from around the world.

    Commenter
    KC
    Location
    Sydney
    Date and time
    May 29, 2013, 1:48PM
    • Why not Reddit? Reddit has it all. Links to political stories, memes about cats and open discussions with astronauts and celebrities.

      Commenter
      nick
      Location
      melbourne
      Date and time
      May 29, 2013, 1:50PM
      • How can a website that has reddit in its most shared section not list reddit here?

        Ah! If you let people know that's where you trawl for stories, they won't come here as often.

        Commenter
        Redditor
        Date and time
        May 29, 2013, 1:50PM
        • Some of them are quite independent,well--- you know, give a good impression at any rate--but usually have the hook hidden .Course if your talkie partners dont read it too, then your conversations a stuffed monologue to which they show disdain,(you know ,becsause you might sound smarter than them--so undemocratic and egalitarian--and if they do,then its already old news.

          Commenter
          Kane
          Date and time
          May 29, 2013, 2:09PM
          • 'Fundies say the darndest things' is a must read. And 'Things Bogans Like' gives a terrifying insight into your fellow Australians.

            Commenter
            bundy
            Date and time
            May 29, 2013, 3:18PM
            • I agree "Things bogans like" is a classic glad to see it pointed out here well done. iIt is a very insightful tome about the most rapidly growing segment of Australian society.
              5 Stars and a must read

              Commenter
              Jeromey
              Date and time
              May 29, 2013, 4:04PM
            • people love horror stories,and emulate sensationallly bad form with alarming predictability.,and humour is ,and has always been used as a social psychology tool to gain acceptance of specific attitudes or ideologies in the audiences mind.

              Commenter
              Kane
              Date and time
              May 29, 2013, 5:05PM
          • Futility Closet.
            No don't thank me...

            Commenter
            Distractor
            Date and time
            May 29, 2013, 3:34PM

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