Feb 20

Feb 20 Weekly Roundup #16: More shootings and more discrimination

Reading

Modern Lovers, Emma Straub. I love Straub's books.

He Predicted The 2016 Fake News Crisis. Now He's Worried About An Information Apocalypse., Buzzfeed. It's Black Mirror come to life...an absolutely nightmarish scenario. No one will trust anything they see or read online or on any screen. We'll be thrown back 100 years in technology due to our own success at innovation.

The Affluencers: Influencers who have actual influence, The Cut. I've talked about influencers before, but more how much they make, how ridiculous the "industry" can be, but never about why they actually influential. They do the same things models do in magazines, but because they're not on a set, but walking about the streets of Atlanta or sipping a latte at that Brooklyn coffee shop around the corner, they suddenly become relatable. Their look is so much more attainable, even when wearing head-to-toe designer attire. Doesn't mean you can look like them, but the idea that you could is much easier to see than when on a high-fashion, edgy model. It works. Brands sell out of items faster than you can click through an entire Insta Story. And for those who work hard for it, they've earned their place as an influencer. As long as they don't forget where they started...(looking at you, Chiara Ferragni). "(Ferragni wouldn’t be interviewed for this story; through her representative, she very politely declined, explaining that she skips stories that can’t guarantee her coverage will be bigger than her competitors’ — the equivalent of a Hollywood star declaring herself “cover only.”)" Cue major eye roll.

A record number of states see well-being worsen, CNBC. Despite a "booming economy"...hmm, wonder why? It seems physical health is finally on the rise with a decline in obesity and diabetes, a record high for the percentage of people exercising 30 or more minutes three or more days in the last week and record low percentage of people who smoked. The widening income gap seems to also be mirrored by the well-being gap. Shocker. "More people said they experience significant worry on any given day, have little interest or pleasure in doing things, and/or have been clinically diagnosed with depression. Fewer reported having received positive energy from friends or family members, liking what they do every day, and/or having a leader in their life who makes them enthusiastic about the future." Double shocker. Just kidding, 2017 was a shitty fucking year.

As Shots Ring Out, a Student Texts: ‘If I Don’t Make It, I Love You,’ The New York Times. This should NOT be happening. Thank you, Bess Kalb, for doing some truly deserved shaming.

‘Number of fatalities’ after shooting at Parkland, Florida, high school, senator says, NBC. What is WRONG with our country??! No teenagers should have access to guns! It's absolutely mind-blowing that this continues to happen with no consequences!

After Florida Shooting, The Teens Become The Strongest Voice For Gun Control, Huffington Post. "We’re children. You guys are the adults. You need to take some action and play a role. Work together, come over your politics, and get something done." Words from student journalist, David Hogg.

Household chemicals rival vehicles as smog source, Nature. We've always known about aerosols, like hairspray, and pesticides, so I feel perfume and paint aren't exactly surprising. Soap, on the other hand...

More than a movie, 'Black Panther' is a movement, CNN. "Consider this: a film that explores what it means to be black, centered on a black superhero, featuring a mostly-black cast, and helmed by a black director is on pace to be one of Marvel's biggest blockbusters." I can't even begin to truly understand what this means to black society, but I'm so happy this movie is such a hit and the responses to #WhatBlackPantherMeansToMe make me tear up. And that's all I'm going to say about it.

3 reasons to retire as early as you can, CNN. I love this article. It's such a wonderful reminder that work is not everything, especially in a society that prioritizes the number of hours you work and the money you make over pretty much everything.

Gus Kenworthy Plants a Kiss on Adam Rippon as They Tweet About Making History as Out Olympians, People. Obsessed.

Unanswered emails were the bane of my life - until I spent a month in search of inbox nirvana, The Guardian. I too take pride in an empty inbox (of unread emails, at least). I hate having that red number on the Mail app on my phone and am absolutely horrified at the numbers my friends have, in the thousands. It stresses me out just thinking about it. Recently, I've finally started getting through the backup of around 75 emails, from Thanksgiving, then Christmas, when I wasn't checking as much. Even the two days I have off for Thanksgiving meant I had numerous newsletters that built up, leaving me unable to catch up while busy preparing for my winter holiday vacation, which is when all hell broke loose. I've finally gotten it down to 20 emails and am significantly less stressed by the number, but I know, as soon as work picks up again next week, I won't have time to open emails again. This makes me feel as if I need to get through all 20 in the next four days, plus whatever comes in during that time. However, I've started unsubscribing from shopping emails, makeup sales, etc. because one, I don't need the temptation and, two, it cuts down on that number of unread emails. I'm intrigued by the idea that we may one day not use email, what would we use instead?? But, I suppose that's what landline owners said, and faxers. There's always something new on the horizon.

Why Isn’t Mary Seats As Famous As Sophia Amoruso?, Refinery29. Fun read, but I think the headline is misleading. Thankfully, the story is more about how hard Mary Seats has worked, her story and the origins of Cupcake Mafia, rather than just comparing her to Amoruso and Nasty Gal, which went bankrupt.

Vice Media sued by former employee alleging systemic pay discrimination against women, Los Angeles Times. There could be more than 700 women in the lawsuit if it becomes a class action suit. You gotta do more than just tweet out an apology, boys.

A Family Left Behind, ESPN. This story touches me for a number of reasons that I will not go into, but I recommend a read.

Weed Is Trending, But For Whom?, Man Repeller. Though cannabis has been enthusiastically adopted within fashion and wellness circles, there are still serious limitations around who can comfortably consume it without fear of penalty and who gets to access the business opportunities arising from recent cultural and legislative shifts.

US intel sees signs of Russian meddling in midterms, ABC. Mother...ugh, if anytime is appropriate to say "I can't even," I feel now is it. "He[Mark Warner, Senator of Virginia] criticized Trump for not issuing more sanctions against Russia in response to the meddling. 'He hasn't even tweeted a single concern,' Warner said." Slick, Mark.

How You Can Create A Schedule That Really Works For You, Fast Company. I really appreciate the idea of setting your schedule first, not trying to fit it around the things you've scheduled for other people.

Trump Veterans Affairs Chief Took His Wife on a Taxpayer-Funded Vacation, Mother Jones. "Yet another member of Donald Trump’s Cabinet is under fire for taking liberties with taxpayer-funded travel....He is also the fifth Trump Cabinet member to be accused of misusing official travel privileges, following Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, and former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who resigned over his use of official jets for private travel." Breaking news: The Trump administration continues to not learn. Wait...Breaking news: The prior "breaking news" was not, in fact, "breaking news!"

“Thirteen Reasons Why” Author Jay Asher Was Removed From A Literary Organization After Sexual Harassment Allegations, Buzzfeed. If this is true...disgusting. Certain scenes from the show, specifically, get a whole lot more disturbing.

Why Do Female Physicians Keep Dying By Suicide At Mount Sinai St. Luke's Hospital?, Refinery29. This is truly upsetting and not just for females, for all genders. Why is Mount Sinai not worried about their residents?? They can't continue this way. Medicine is a grueling field and we need those brave souls who are willing to subject themselves to those years. Those people should be cared for, not forced to work until they break.

In Her Own Words: Lena Dunham on Her Decision to Have a Hysterectomy at 31, Vogue. Dunham has her ups and downs in the public eye, but this piece shows her softer side. I can't imagine how difficult this would be and she writes beautifully about such a difficult situation.

Courtney Barnett Talks About Taking on Misogyny and Self-Doubt With Her New Album, Pitchfork. LOVE that her newest song, "Nameless, Faceless," has the famous Margaret Atwood quote in it.

Ryan Murphy Inks Mammoth Overall Deal With Netflix, Variety. Killin' it.

Omarosa Was Reportedly Fired for Abusing the White House Car Service, The Cut. "Most recently, she told her fellow contestants on Celebrity Big Brother..." L.O.L. Never has an article about the White House staff made me chuckle so much. Oh, except for the news from Trump's lawyer that no worries, he paid off Stormy Daniels with his own money.

As Other Aides Face Trump’s Ire Over Rob Porter’s Departure, Hope Hicks Is Praised, The New York Times. I bet we can all guess why the Creeper-in-Chief likes her so much...

How to Disconnect From Social Media but Stay Connected to the World, Lifehacker. I pretty much stay away from Twitter except to enter contests and share petitions, but, for those of you drowning under the overwhelming negativity and panic on your feeds, get some tips for how to lessen the overload.

Listening

Ghosts of Our Past, Derrival.

Arc, Yoste. Such a soothing, lovely song.

Candy Paint, Post Malone. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's not new, but I love this song. And there's a Michael Scott mention. MICHAEL. SCOTT.

Watching

Black Mirror: Season 4, Netflix. If you haven't seen this sci-fi anthology series and my last mention of it didn't convince you to, let me try again. Black Mirror is a look into a slightly dystopian future, multiple versions, actually. In season four, we start out with a Star Trek-esque episode, but don't worry, non-Trekkies, it's just a piece. The episodes touch on parental control, improved insurance investigations and medical innovations. And if you're paying attention, you may catch the little harmonic easter egg the show runners have hidden throughout the seasons. Comment below if you know what it is!