old people, you wild for this 😳
On the poor examples Boomers and the Silent Generation set by not-retiring, and some gifts to you for my birthday.
The fallout from Trump's verdict
George Santos to Face Federal Criminal Charges
What will become of these two criminal GOP figures? Who knows. I am doubtful much of anything!
Trump uses town hall to insult woman
"Trump refused to testify"
“Trump Pep Rally”
Related: the CNN Trump townhall was basically a big amplifier of his positions along with a place for him to defame E. Jean Carroll. Gross!
DeSantis bill creates hurdles for undocumented
"E-Verify as part of its anti-immigrant bill"
"assuming that we rely on undocumented workers"
"Ron de Santis este es el caos"
DeSantis’ attempt to have a “gotcha” moment on undocumented workers and citizens is seemingly backfiring, as…it’s becoming obvious that this form of American slavery was upholding so much of the state. Add this group to people leaving the state!
"I knew she was talking about me"
"I’ve def noticed gettin stared at more "
This old TikTok was trending on Twitter because it highlights the sort of insane witch hunting brewing as people drive themselves mad over gender expression. If only…we didn’t place so much value in something as stupid as gender to begin with!!
"very concerning"
Sasha Colby - Extended Interview
Related! Sasha Colby on The Daily Show was an illuminating dive into what “drag bans” are actually doing: criminalizing being transgender.
Who is Linda Yaccarino, Musk's new Twitter CEO?
"Elon's glass cliff"
Okay. As some have observed, this is just someone Elon will blame all his failures on.
MTV News Signs Off
God, MTV is and has been flop for decades now. RIP to one of the best things they had!!
Hollywood CEO Pay: Big Checks, Ugly Optics
Another day, another step closer to finally eating the rich. This is most of Hollywood! As Ryan Ken said about the industry this week, “those in charge have to make their greed public.”
Wendy’s, Google Next Order Taker: AI Chatbot
"we are going to lose a lot of jobs"
"*you*, the customer, have to do the unpaid job"
Thank you to
I recent finished Philip Bump’s The Aftermath, about the end of the Baby Boomers and how American power is being reshaped. It’s a fascinating read, less because there are any actual bombshells or surprises (a la, greater diversity in younger generations and the ongoing liberalization of younger persons) but because it helps to solidify what we already know: Boomers are not exiting quietly.
Bump details that this “problem” is less about aging out (a la, dying) but is more an inability to cede, that the ultimate me-me-me generation is grasping onto power until arthritic fingers dissolve to dust. This is playing out in many ways, taking a tragic turn this week with Dianne Feinstein’s return to Washington, D.C.. She – in a wheelchair and with one functional eye – captured Bump’s observation that America’s elderly are hoarding power. This instance inspired appropriate reactions, from New York calling it a “ghoulish spectacle” to meme after meme after meme after meme after meme being shared.
It’s been well documented that the elderly dominate Congress, holding roughly half of seats which is why rulings on things like TikTok are so out of touch. While Feinstein has become a recent spectacle, she’s hardly the first or last person doing this: when fellow Silent Generator Joe Biden announced his bid for reelection, it was observed that he would be 86 in 2028. If we reach back a touch further to March, we also saw this happening with Mitch McConnell who, at 81, had a concussion from a fall. (Lest we forget, as someone pointed out, old racist bag Strom Thurmond was in office until he was 100. Hiding in the wings is Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died in-office at 87. Her obstinacy to not-retire is certainly why something like Roe has been jeopardized.)
It’s easy to throw stones at our gerontocracy but this gross trend is everywhere: people are working well into old age. There is story after story after story on this, which is no longer a uniquely American thing. Bump explores this in his book but, if you know anyone over the age of 60, they are likely to still be working because they are unable to retire. Why? Money. No one has it, which is why more seniors are becoming homeless. This all sounds absurd, or something that “is part of life,” but everyone loses here – especially them as they may have enabled the laws and systems that now force them to work. No wonder people in France protested raising the retirement age: people should be protected in their golden years, allowed to live at a certain point. It is a failure of society (Ahem: capitalism.) that my parents and Bobby’s mother and every person I know or have met over 60 is still working. Unless one is working to keep a social life or is doing something “they love,” it’s dishonorable. Biden, Feinstein, McConnell, Thurmond, and Ginsburg have set an awful, selfish example: they are neither governing in a way that cares for younger people or their peers. Instead, we all lose here.
I don’t need to tell you that this is a never-ending trend: Bump positions this well in his book, explaining how we’re reaching a point where the elderly will strain society because there are too many of them to take care of. We’ll also see this in continued tragic viral stories, where “helping old people” will become the new Dodo-style dog rescue video. Case in point: the very viral TikTok of the hunched geriatric janitor at the Pittsburgh Airport. He may love his job – but his working is our collective loss.
Here are the winners of the 2023 Pulitzer Prizes
All roads lead to Alabama for the 2023 Pulitzers
Some really amazing people and places won Pulitzers!!
I Got My Name From Connie Chung. So Did They.
This story about Chinese-American (Millennial) women being named Connie is the best thing you’ll read this weekend. Every essay should be this good, this sweet, and this “America can be good.”
An Elderly Man Spray-Painted a Miriam Cahn Painting
An interesting story about how a Miriam Cahn painting was the target of a right wing pedophile conspiracy — which resulted in the piece being vandalized.
Taylor moved by fans' tribute to late grandmother
"imagine someone showing up to your workplace"
While this story claims this is “cute,” this is such unhinged fan behavior.
Elizabeth Holmes Opens Up
"PR firm for the ruling class"
"you were had"
The Times running a PR story for Elizabeth “Liz” Holmes is so flop. Put that lady in her jail cell and stfu!!
"otw to take a boot"
"The Boot Girls fighting back"
The Boot Girls' Fight Against 'Predatory' Booting
There’s a duo in Atlanta who are removing boots from cars for $50. They are heroes. I love them.
Influencer Cooked Her Own Cartilage in Bolognese
I will read every story about people eating themselves. From the man who ate his foot (literally) to my own ex-boyfriend who wanted to be a cannibal, it is the content I crave.
The Buzziest California Wine Region Isn't Napa
The California central valley’s wine and food scene is one of the best kept secrets in the state. Now, it seems like its star is about to rise. Wait until they discover Los Alamos!!
Cara Delevingne mist from fossil-free hydrogen
"the hydrogen PR machine gets fresh"
This is…not a climate solution. This is embarrassing!!
"not one ingredient in apple pie is indigenous"
Padma Lakshmi tastes the nation
I feel like Padma needs some sort of Pulitzer. She’s so good and this interview is very good!!
YouTuber Guilty to Intentionally Crashing Airplane
This week in creators gone wild.
My birthday was this week and I thought it would be nice to celebrate by giving you gifts, via things I love and general life tips. Enjoy!! Sorry there are so many (one for every year of my being alive).
This tip for carmelizing onions (which also works on mushrooms, fennel, and even potatoes) in less than ten minutes has revolutionized how I cook.
Swap in chicken broth instead of water when making things. As a non-vegetarian who eats non-meat, this adds so much flavor to veggie-only dishes.
Get a financial adviser. You’re too old to “save money” by yourself! I work with my fabulous friend Renee who I will happily introduce anyone to. Send her a note and drop my name!!
You don’t have to watch all those things. Around 2019, I gave up because there’s too much content. I tell people “I will never watch that, even though it sounds great. There’s too much to watch!” and they usually go “Wow, you’re right.”
Related: you don’t have to reply to those emails. Unless it is crucially related to your wellbeing and livelihood, it can wait. We all have enough going on.
Get a good, sun-blocking concealer. I use the Jao Face Créme (A lil bit goes a long way!! I’ve had the same tube for over a year.) and Bobby uses the Glossier Perfecting Tint.
Being slutty in little ways gives you a confidence boost. Wear a jockstrap! Buy a mesh top! Unbutton that shirt a lil more! No one will notice and you’ll feel ~empowered~.
Listen to this M. Bootyspoon Ice Spice remix, which samples Oneohtrix Point Never’s “Chrome Country.” It should not work but it is maybe my favorite song of 2023. Bootyspoon strikes again!!
Have one good wig in your house. You never know when you’ll need it.
Email someone you haven’t talked to in a decade but have been thinking about. You both will appreciate it!
Pay someone to do the hard thing. Moving, installing a light fixture, driving to the airport: you’re too old for things to always be difficult. That said…
Clean your own damn house. No one should be subjected to your filth, plus it helps ensure that you’re actually aware of everything you have.
Turn off notification badges on non-important apps. It’s a useless stressor! And no one should be subjected to your 123235 unread emails sticker!!
Don’t eat or work in bed. It’s gross for your mind and your bedroom!!
Learn how to make a good cup of coffee or tea, regardless of if you drink either. Speaking of tea, Black Orchid by Mariage Fréres smells like cake frosting and tastes like light vanilla. It’s my fave!
Pick one type of alcohol and don’t stray from it. You’re too old to experiment with alcohol.
Have at least three fragrances that are your “go to.” I have too many but Tacit by Aesop, Oud Immortel by Byredo, and Anubis by Papillon are current faves.
Make friends with younger people – and listen to them. Don’t try too hard and try not to “when I was your age” with them. Give advice but don’t prescribe!
Read Sigrid Nunez. The Friend is obvious, but What Are You Going Through is a treasure.
Delete your Amazon account and go to a store. You’ll see more things, support more locally, and help the planet. We all win! (If you must, do Target for pickup. It’s the same thing!)
Make a routine and stick to it. We’re creatures of habit! We crave patterns! Everyone benefits, especially your creative projects.
Listen to Traci Chapman’s “Fast Car” and cry. The song blooms into a greater tragedy the older you get.
Send people Cameos for random occasions. These videos really delight people!!
You don’t have to have a child but you should have a pet or plant. Taking care of something helps you better take care of yourself and the world!
Send everyone you know an end-of-the-year life update or newsletter. My dad did this and we started doing this a few years back and…it’s a great way to keep in touch!
To get a date, to get a new job, to get friends, to get any opportunity: you have to work for it. Consider it your second job. Otherwise, it’ll never happen. Take that shit seriously!
The best gifts are things you already own, that you re-buy or re-gift for someone. Giving gifts is a matter of giving a bit of yourself: do that literally, by vouching for it!
Bringing wine? Spend more than $15 on the bottle – and don’t get it from the supermarket.
Always have good non-alcoholic options on hand. Proxies are my go-to!
Wrap gifts with newspaper or aluminum foil. It’s more interesting and recyclable! (Better yet…don’t wrap gifts at all! Unless they are a child, no one cares!!)
Paint your nails!! It delights everyone and stops nail-biting. Glitter lasts longest and JINsoon is my favorite brand.
Get an air quality monitor. Dystopian, but great for you. I use a Temptop!! (While you’re at it, get an air purifier. Cities are smoky and you need to breathe better. Get an Airmega! )
Don’t put proprietary information into any AI product. You are literally giving away secrets!
Listen to audiobooks while walking or cleaning. You’ll read and learn more that way!
Take a class that lasts more than a month once a year. Painting, writing, a new language: you should always be learning something new!!
Stop watching trailers. Go into more stuff without knowing anything! You’ll enjoy them more!!
Don’t lie. Have you seen Search Party? Read Big Swiss? Don’t lie. You’re too old for it.
"the 3 genders"
Mr. Beast had a wild week, from building a hype neighborhood to “healing” people. Worst part about these thumbnails is his neck beard. One of the worst things I have had to see in my life!
"Pedro Pascal through Wish"
"dude is living"
"i don’t have the wink control"
This swagged out, winking, nut and spice seller is having a moment on TikTok.
"More yahoos"
"me starting at work"
"Best animals ever"
“I gotta go home”
"you’ve never seen batman"
"Losing my mind over this dog"
A few animals I saw this week, who I love. The old bear had quite a viral week and the prairie dog yahoos WILL cure your depression.
"You win some. You loose some"
This animal gets it’s own call out because watching a fish follow a hook is freaky shit.
"a huge but also kinda niche internet pop culture era"
"hope those racist editors step in puddles"
Nostalgia for the BA Test Kitchen is picking up. I…admit I miss their problematic asses, especially Gourmet Makes. One of the best internet shows ever!!
"this is insane"
I want more videos that offer the evolution of creators, as this one of Mikayla Nogueira is so wild.
"He was born for this"
"like a cvnty disney villain"
The George Santos crime photos are gay excellence, even if he is a flop.
"king's coronation"
"i just woke up from a nap"
These “royal” gays went viral this week. They are very embarrassing.
“Can any Americans relate?”
Yes! I too do a lot of motel!!
"not a good time to interrupt"
I would die for this realtor. She is the only actor I care about. (The comments? Gold.)
"ibopfufen"
I need a bottle of this. I have no doubt it exists.
"only photo we had of our late uncle"
Uncle looks great! Thanks, AI!!
"This might make dad jealous"
Finally, the most wholesome, best Mother’s Day post. Send this to your mom today!!
And, finally, me talking about Dakota Johnson.
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