The Trend Report™: This Is Us
A look at how violence has reshaped our minds.
Who was Shinzo Abe?
"Except for Abe, as Jake says here, it all worked very well."
“Narendra Modi next”
We’ll talk more about guns in a moment but, while the Shinzo Abe assassination is awful, it was a moment to point out that this seemingly benign figure was Japan’s Trump. This is all to say: we should all try to consume more international news, to understand the context of people.
"this stuff is one of america’s oldest political traditions"
Morton’s condemns disrupting Kavanaugh’s freedom to ‘eat dinner’
"Things continue to go bad for the 1776 Restoration Movement"
"Presidential Palace has been stormed"
While the last one was a big international news story from Sri Lanka, there’s something happening right now with protestors going as far as they can – and making an impact. (Which, naturally, some are going to misconstrue as making another January 6 happen.)
America Is in Denial
I know Mitt Romney is a fucking idiot but I liked this essay he wrote, about the state of America right now – and how we are killing ourselves and the planet.
"liberalism.jpeg"
"she got shot to get feminine attention"
A glimpse of the unhinged liberal and conservative, in regards to the July 4 shooting in Highland Park.
‘Just Asking Questions’ Anti-Trans Campaign Is Working
Christian Fascist Propaganda Is All Over TikTok
Two stories about different but related waves of hate brewing: from those who “do their own research” and are asking question, to a new wave of fascism based in Christianity. A lot going on to pay attention to!
"i'm a cis woman"
“gender inclusive language does not deny my womanhood”
“white women really had to embrace”
Related to the “asking questions” bit: saw very vocal support of gender diversity this week, in response to Bette Midler’s antiquated (white) feminist transphobia and xenophobia this week. (Related: this great, astute take down of Macy Gray’s transphobia this week.)
EU parliament votes to condemn overturning of Roe v. Wade
While this is a good dunk that kind of means nothing, what’s most surprising is the vote wasn’t unanimous: it was 324-155.
Biden signs executive order on abortion access
"we certainly believe that certain issues are just settled"
A rare occurrence of the Biden White House doing good things. First, Biden has made a good move to protect abortion through executive order and, in a non-bad interview, Harris spoke about how Democrat laziness led to the Roe vs. Wade repeal. Her thoughts on this are quite good, actually!
Democrats Care About Housing Emergency?
I said this last week but NIMBYism is huge right now – and Democrats have an opportunity to make change (but they won’t).
Boston researchers may have found biomarker for long COVID
Our research shows why Covid is still wreaking havoc
BA.5 may pose the biggest threat to immune protection yet
"BA.5 is modern plague"
“They died.”
Be careful out there!!
I was out a few nights ago, walking along a busy street. Cars raced by, many of them elaborate cars designed for racing and to be paraded around populous parts of town. Some people are impressed by them, others are not. One passed, backfiring, creating four or five loud pops. I turned to the sound, familiar with the noise, knowing it was this specific type of car noise. Others looked to the sound too, curious what was happening.
But there was this older man, walking parallel to me along with his wife. He fell to the ground, scrambling, trying to crawl away. He too was making a sound, much like a grunt, a shocked alert matching his movement. The woman he was with grabbed for his arm, pulling at him. “It’s not guns!” she yelled over the backfiring. “It’s not guns! It’s a car!” The man stayed on the ground, shaking his head. He wasn’t laughing. He just sort of looked down and, slowly, lifted himself up one knee at a time.
There was this feeling in that moment, of an illness realized, like looking in a mirror and discovering you have had something on your face all day. I don’t know this man’s circumstance – A veteran? A survivor of violence? – but the terror was something that was on the tip of the tongue, on all of our tongues, given that everyone looked to the car with their shoulders lifted. This is an unfortuante trend too, as this week saw crowds around the country running to escape imagined shootings that are actually fireworks, scenes typical of nationalistic joy tilted toward our common horrors. This feels like PTSD on a massive scale, on summer days where violence shadows lightness.
People in America are clearly shaken up, mentally askew after the recent memory of nearly two dozen children murdered, a tragedy placed atop decades of uncontrolled gun violence. We would hope our problems would be locked into our lost land but there seems to be a horrible spread occurring: a shooting in Oslo, a shooting in Copenhagen, a shooting in South Africa, the assassination of Shinzo Abe. It appears our illness is spreading. Abe’s assassination is particularly grim, given that the weapon was homemade, a crude item designed to function the same as 3D-printed ghost guns.
What does it mean to become a people defined by violence? What does it mean that destruction of the planet, of each other, of ourselves seems to be the thesis of this modern age? We can evolve into something better. We can become better! There is hope. There’s always hope! For now though, this is us.
Why Did States Require Blood Tests for Marriage Licenses?
This article is old but: did you know that some states require you to get a blood test before getting married? That’s fucked up! Talk about the state controlling your body.
Twitter vows legal fight after Musk pulls out of $44 billion deal
"can’t believe Elon Musk failed to deliver on a giant promise."
This fucking loser. Did I not tell y’all this was gonna not-happen??
Electric cars have a dirty secret
You should know this but producing the batteries needed for electric cars is awful for the environment. This article does a good job of dispelling the “Electric cars will solve our planet’s problems!” myth and serves as a reminder to use your car less and use alternative means of transportation as often as you can. Don’t be lazy, people!
The huge impact of private jets
This makes me apoplectic. Sure, planes aren’t good – but the model of plane usage we have is akin to buses, while private jets are cars. Let me remind you of that awful Super Bowl stat!!
Large Hadron Collider Physicists Discover New Particles
This stuff is all so fascinating (and a lil scary – but don’t fall for the TikTok conspiracies).
Florida plan to eradicate giant African land snails
I believe in her (but also: get out of here, snail!!).
"best influencer goes to... Simba the GOAT"
LOOK AT THIS GOAT’S EARS!!!
Italian government to halt digital sales of masterpieces
I feel like this says all that you need to know about the state of NFTs right now. The scam is up!
The Age of Peak TV Is Ending.
People talk so much about what they’re watching but, in some ways, the caliber of “What are you watching?” has waned and creatives are getting paid less and less. Why? I think because so much content is free, as a result of being creator-driven. This is good! Out with the old! Down with Hollywood!!
"Doja Cat calls out Noah Schnapp"
Noah Schnapp Reveals Doja Cat's Been Thirsting After Co-Star
Another round of the adult-versus-child celebrity beef cycle has emerged and, while I agree with Doja in theory, there’s something so weird about late teens and adults interacting as such in general. If they were, say, related it would be different – but they’re distant co-workers, making this even weirder in a way. Celebrities are not like us!
“my greatest creation”
“walk a mile”
Best minion memes of this week. Related: I told you that Minions were going to be a mega-moment – and I was right.
“vibes recession”
“fire fits recession”
This is becoming a new turn-of-phrase, I fear.
“sees something american happening americanly in america”
“supposedly this is photoshopped”
"this aesthetic has a lot of Balenciaga energy"
“the person who makes these”
“From: Nancy Pelosi”
Some funny things about politicians this week. (And, regarding the last one, the word “scromiting” popped this week and is a big joke.)
"Everything is grooming except actual grooming"
Right wing people so nasty!!
“NOT be celebrating July 4th”
I’m rooting for you, Claudia Conway!! Relatedly: a great article on how Gen Z politicians are disrupting the game.
“Ummmm.”
That’s one way to light fireworks.
"Speed is not real"
Related: this firework video of creator Speed was everywhere this week. It is incredible and stupid and incredible.
"Can’t wait for the Tory leadership contest"
Your Boris Johnson news item of the week.
"American Psycho"
An adaptation for 2022.
"why would you say this"
I stand with her and am an active early-to-the-airport propagandist.
“could be us..”
Summer vibe.
"darts"
None of us will ever be as cool as this guy.
“AITD for honoring my best friend’s dying wish”
A lot going on here. I think this person is and isn’t the asshole here!
“touch grass? no.”
Can you name what dirt looks like around the world? This guy can.
"on this app for 30 minutes every day"
Fun, unproblematic hobby just dropped: watching airplanes and learning where they’re going.
“girl who is getting dumped”
Yes, I would dump this person too.
“the coconut crabs”
Them crustaceans ate Amelia, didn’t they?
“new Elvis”
That movie looks incredible!
“he really snapped”
Yes, Dr. Seuss is a great rapper.
And, finally, me to my nephew this past Monday.
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