Weekly Roundup #18: Gaslights and cosmic dawns
Reading
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, Amy Schumer.
What Is the Perfect Color Worth?, The New York Times. This article is absolutely fascinating. Honestly, if you read just one article from this post, make it this one. I’d never heard of Pantone before I started working at a magazine and now, every year, we anxiously await the announcement of Pantone’s Color of the Year so we can create registries, tablescape and accessory lists driven by that color product; also to see if our latest pick for spring’s trending color was on the mark (killed it this year). So I’ve seen a glimpse into how big this company’s influence is, but I had no idea how much it permeated society and culture around the globe. Like I said, fascinating.
How Ava DuVernay Became a Creator of Worlds, Wired. I'm so pumped about this, I loved this book back in the day. I also am so here for DuVernay's mission of inclusivity and empowerment for women, particularly of color. This movie looks better than anything I ever dreamed up in my head because of this objective.
Pentagon urges calm after Putin and Russia up the ante on missile defense with new nuclear weapons, CNBC. Time for some 4-7-8 breathing.
The New Soul of SZA, GQ. Ya gotta love her.
Cosmic dawn: astronomers detect signals from first stars in the universe, The Guardian. "The faint radio signals suggest the universe was lifted out of total darkness 180m years after the big bang in a momentous transition known as the cosmic dawn." Can you even imagine the beauty of that moment??
The Instagram Stars Hiding Their Famous, Muslim-Hating Mom, Pamela Geller, The Daily Beast. I wanted to give them a chance, after all, Claudia's original heinous leaked tweets were from when she was young and if you're living with a single parent and a malleable teen, who knows what stupid shit you may spew. However, after actually reading this story and the vitriol at least three of the four sisters have posted more recently? Bye Felicias. UPDATE: Verizon's Oath has canceled Claudia and Jackie's show "The Morning Breath."
Hope Hicks to Resign as White House Communications Director, The New York Times. The day after she admitted to telling "white lies" for the president in her closed-door testimony in front of the House Intelligence Committee. Hmm...are some of her lies finally catching up with her?
Supreme Court upholds government power to detain immigrants without bail, NBC. What. The Actual. Fuck. "Tuesday's ruling applies to any immigrant, including those who entered the U.S. legally or who are seeking asylum." Seriously. What the FUCK? How can we call or even consider ourselves a safe haven for those seeking refuge from horror and violence when we're threatening that we just may hold them for years on end while the courts dilly dally around? And what's the point of being legal if you're punished exactly the same as illegal immigrants?? There's no logic in this ruling. Absolutely ridiculous.
I'm An Army Vet Who Once Thought An AR-15 Was No Big Deal. Now, I Want It Banned., Refinery29. The change in opinion from someone who has actual experience with an AR-15.
After Parkland: Marco Rubio Claims Next Generation Is Arrogant, News and Guts. What an outrageously pompous fool. In his own words, "We smear those who refuse to agree with us." That's exactly what he's done by trying to shame these students, who went through the worst time in their life, only to come out the other side determined to better our country for current and future generations. He is despicable.
How one bullet shattered a body and a family, CNN. The rest of us move on after a tragedy, it’s a natural part of life. But for those who were there or intimately affected, it’s still happening. We can’t just forget them.
First transgender recruit signs up to join US military, CNN. Thank you for your service and particularly your bravery in even signing up at this tumultuous time.
Monica Lewinsky: Emerging From "The House of Gaslight" in the Age of #MeToo, Vanity Fair. It's so unfortunate that, no matter what, this intelligent, well-spoken woman will always be remembered, first and foremost, as the intern who had an affair with President Clinton. That relationship derailed the course of her life, who knows where she would have been today if she'd stayed in politics? Yet, she was ostracized for an affair, despite not being the one in power, despite being younger, despite not being the married one, despite everything, she was the one punished and the one who became a national joke. One of the many positive things brought about by the #metoo movement has been the feeling of community for women who relate, for those who can say "Me too." It's been twenty years since Lewinsky was thrust reluctantly into the spotlight, but she finally doesn't have to feel completely alone.
I thought my bully deserved an awful life. But then he had one, The Washington Post. It's a common soothing response to bullying victims, "you'll have the better life," but often it's true. And at what point do we realize this is also a problem? Most bullies torment because of the pain or insecurities in their own lives, but we toss them aside as the bad guy. We forget that, as terrible and downright shitty as they can be, they're still kids. As the writer says, "I wanted my childhood bully’s life to turn out rotten, but when it actually happened, it didn’t feel like justice had been served. It simply felt like I’d watched a building collapse in slow motion. The cracks in the foundation started long ago."
Premiere: "Heartbreak Story" Explains the Romantic Demise of Girlyboi, Milk.xyz. But thankfully not the breakup of the band.
Johnnie Walker Whisky Bottles Have a Female Logo Now. Meet 'Jane Walker,' Time. Her boots were made for walkin', right into the liquor store.
Serena Williams' Reddit-cofounder husband put all others to shame by installing 4 giant billboards in California saying she's the 'greatest momma of all time,' Business Insider. The sweetest.
Krysten Ritter Will Never Be the Girlfriend, Nylon. I highly recommend "Jessica Jones" if you haven't seen it already, so pumped it's coming back this month. Also, Ritter is such a badass. Jane and Jesse forever.
Georgia Republicans threaten to stop Delta tax break over NRA decision, CNN. " 'We felt that it was wrong for them to single out one company,' said Chuck Hufstetler, chairman of the state's Senate Finance Committee." But...aren't you doing just that? UPDATE: Bill passed, waiting on governor's signature, which is likely to happen.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry invite public to wedding day, CNN. They are very brave...
Why We May Soon Be Living in Alexa’s World, The New York Times. I actually don't have an Alexa or any of the home assistants, but I've brought it up to my boyfriend a time or two. However, it's creepy to think of what the device is taking in when always on. And random shrieks? Absolutely not. That would trigger nightmares for weeks. No, thank you.
It's Warmer in Iceland Than Parts of the Mediterranean This Week, Time.
Views from Rome, as the Eternal City sees snow for the first time in six years, The Verge.
What is a millennial? Birth year guidelines set for how to identify generations, Newsweek. So, nothing's changed, I'm still a millennial. And I'm still proud to be one. Whatever negative connotations the term "millennial" has, we are a group of ambitious game changers, willing to speak up and change the world for the better.
Moon to get first mobile phone network, But how will that service be?, Reuters. Because my home network sometimes just stops working out of nowhere...
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces new opioid task force to target drug manufacturers, distributors who fuel prescription painkiller epidemic, CNBC. " 'In fact, we are already getting involved in these cases. I am announcing today that the department will file a statement of interest in a lawsuit against a number of opioid manufacturers and distributors for allegedly using false, deceptive, and unfair marketing of opioid drugs,' Sessions said." Great, but I'll believe it when I see a change.
Barnes & Noble is killing itself, TechCrunch. This makes me so sad. Barnes & Noble has been my safe haven for so long, people’s go to gift card for me. It’s depressing to think it might be gone soon.
Insane Clown Posse: And God created controversy, The Guardian. I read this after Karen from My Favorite Murder recommended it and, I have to say, I do feel almost bad for the rappers now. But they still have despicable lyrics and their fans are fucking terrifying. It’s a good read though.
What is Vero? What you need to know about the rising social media platform, Fast Company. Y’all. I’m 26 and I can’t keep up with all the new social platforms. But don’t worry, I’ve downloaded this and will let you know if it’s worth your time. Because I love you, my readers.
How Our Beliefs Can Shape Our Waistlines, The New York Times. But how do you convince yourself you're getting enough exercise?
Listening
My Own Way, Amy Winehouse. Newly released demo from the icon.
Heartbreak Story, Girlyboi. Just beautiful.
Telephone Line, Electric Light Orchestra.
The Daily, The New York Times. A friend suggested this podcast to me for a specific episode, but I've gotten into it and it's an entertaining, new way to get the news and different opinions, which I appreciate.
Watching
My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, CW. Season 3 is out now. It's definitely darker than prior seasons, but it's finally calling out the insane things Rebecca has done in the past, which I like because sometimes it's just too much.
Review
I Let You Go, Clare Mackintosh.
