Poppy is a disturbing internet meme seen by millions. Can she become a pop sensation?

The character played by 22-year-old Moriah Pereira is a childlike, robotic-sounding woman with friends who include a basil plant. Now she’s trying to become the first pop megastar to be born on YouTube

The Guardian view on Finland’s centenary: a social democratic triumph

Editorial: From universal suffrage to the universal basic income, Finland is a European country that pioneered egalitarian policies and technological innovation alike

Soap opera: Michael Nyman composes score for washing machine film

Central London cinema to screen 66-minute premiere of 40C washing cycle, called Washing Machine – The Movie

‘We could build something revolutionary’: how tech set underground music free

YouTube, social media and even Bitcoin are allowing musicians to reject major labels and go it alone – but the industry is fighting back. Can artists use technology to stay truly independent?

What is the Illuminati? You asked Google – here’s the answer

Martha Gill, columnist at the New Statesman, answers one of the most common queries put to Google

Eminem reveals his writing process – podcasts of the week

The hip-hop rule breaker reminisces about his first rhyme on Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell’s new podcast Broken Record. Elsewhere, our picks of the best podcasts include a focus on Brexit and Bill Bryson’s guide to the London Science Museum

The Guardian view on vinyl: getting its groove back

Editorial: Sainsbury’s has launched own-label records to capitalise on the revival of the format. That’s a good thing

Brian May’s 3D pictures capture Queen in all their pomp

Guitarist’s latest volume of stereoscopic images shows the making and touring of News of the World 40 years ago

Spotify on song as UK revenue rises to £237m

Music streaming service continues to boom ahead of expected IPO, as subscription income rises by 26%

Introducing the new celebrity accessory: bitcoin-style cryptocurrencies

Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah becomes latest public figure to gamble on initial coin offerings to generate serious money

On my radar: Carla Bruni’s cultural highlights

The musician and former French first lady on David Hockney, Big Little Lies, Leonard Cohen’s last album and the Yves Saint Laurent museum

Leave Britney Alone was the prototype of a viral hit – it couldn’t happen now

Ten years ago Chris Crocker was propelled to fame by gleeful mockery. In those days internet stardom was corrosive, says freelance journalist Amelia Tait

Modern mix tapes: the Guardian’s new monthly playlist

As streaming becomes more popular, we want to help readers better navigate the huge number of new releases and make rewarding discoveries, writes the Guardian’s music editor

Home invasions, melting glaciers and Humpty Dumpty – is VR finally coming into its own?

The Venice film festival has dedicated a section to cutting edge virtual-reality features, suggesting that the format may be about to take off as mass entertainment

Instagram: celebrity contact details leaked after nude Bieber photos posted

Phone numbers and email addresses of high-profile users exposed just days after Selena Gomez’s account posted naked shots of ex-boyfriend Bieber