Etymology: Swedish singer-songwriter Staffan Lindberg announced in 2017 that he would no longer use air travel, a decision co-signed by other Swedish public figures including opera singer Malena Ernman (Greta Thunberg’s mother) and the Olympic athlete Björn Ferry. The neologism flygskam has gained popularity in the years since, combining the Swedish words for flight and shame. Meaning: Flygskam refers to the particular anti-flying movement that grew out of Sweden. But it also relates to the more general and subjective issue of guilt that an individual may feel around their carbon footprint and air travel. It is hoped that an atmosphere of disapproval toward frequent fliers will gradually shift attitudes and decrease the normalization of commercial flying. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Thirty-Five Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 19 Going Incognito We all secretly wonder what mischief we’d make if invisible: When our identity is hidden, everything seems possible. Arts & Culture Issue 19 The Best Policy Sometimes we talk to each other without feeling heard. Honesty—a most intimate interaction—can be just as thrilling as its more devious inverse. Arts & Culture Issue 19 A Sense of Suspense With unhinged imaginations and mountains of cliff-hangers, the filmmakers behind the sci-fi podcast Limetown have all the makings of a scary story. Arts & Culture Issue 19 Like Clockwork In this new column about time, we learn how slipping off our watches makes us feel like deadline-damning renegades. Arts & Culture Music Issue 19 On a Grander Scale Malaysian singer-songwriter Yuna now may live on the opposite side of the globe, but she’s determined to evolve while staying true to her roots. Arts & Culture Issue 19 Neighborhood: Fire Stations The firefighting profession has evolved over time from Ancient Rome’s rudimentary bucket brigades to today’s sleek life-saving departments.
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