# rent free. a culture newsletter that's all about the films, books, shows and conversations that have embedded themselves in my mind, rent free. if you think media literacy is hot, welcome. you can follow me on instagram @itsayanartan; i'm fun on all apps. Page: Feed: --- ## [muslims on billboards. muslims in coffins.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/muslims-on-billboards-muslims-in) _2026-07-25 · ayan artan_ on being hunted, and cool suddenly. ## [things i've changed my mind about.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/things-ive-changed-my-mind-about) _2026-06-12 · ayan artan_ the notesapp clear out. vol one. ## [but what if the audience is stupid?](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/but-what-if-the-audience-is-stupid) _2026-05-15 · ayan artan_ on lolita, the drama and the 'correct' way to write evil ## [you're too nice to be any good.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/youre-too-nice-to-be-any-good) _2026-03-25 · ayan artan_ on the approaching death of the wild woman artist, and self-respect ## [i will not die a hidden gem/on wanting to be mainstream.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/i-will-not-die-a-hidden-gem-promise) _2026-02-27 · ayan artan_ who deserves to go mainstream? ## [Cherien Dabis thinks about quitting often.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/cherien-dabis-thinks-about-quitting) _2026-02-19 · ayan artan_ The All That's Left of You director talks Hollywood's cognitive dissonance, her first trip to Palestine and the Japanese Kabuki film she can't stop thinking about. ## [how white fear killed the romantic comedy](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/how-white-fear-killed-the-romantic) _2026-02-16 · ayan artan_ on the narcissism of the modern romance & the dishonesty of nostalgic viewing. ## [taylor swift, american fantasy: part one](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/taylor-swift-american-fantasy-part) _2025-11-21 · ayan artan_ the birth of an eternal victim ## [our thinkers are dead, and their replacements are illiterate.](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/our-thinkers-are-dead-and-their-replacements) _2025-10-15 · ayan artan_ on the cost of nonchalance. ## [Stay updated on your professional world (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/cXYLgLTkaGQT) _2025-10-15 · **Sponsored**_ Keep in touch with people you know, build your career. ## [a tech bro, a k-pop idol, and a kardashian walk into a bar...](https://rentfreewithayan.substack.com/p/a-tech-bro-a-k-pop-idol-and-a-kardashian) _2025-09-09 · ayan artan_ cool, and other things you can't buy.