I've effectively learned to tune out the latest social media uproar and wait for MWK, DL, or any of my other trusted sources of information's more nuanced, charitable, and compassionate read of the situation.
I've subscribed to my own version of Katie's "if it weren't for social media would I know about this" for a long time and it's been very useful in helping me figure out what is (the people in power ruining our lives and damaging society from multiple fronts) and isn't (influencer having to resort to online pan-handling due to the fuckery caused by the aforementioned people in power) worthy of my outrage.
Hahahhahah if you reverse Bari Weiss’ed at WSJ and secured a column I would actually become its paid subscriber.
The “it shoulda been me” meanness of the mob is a tale as old as time, this latest iteration just drips with the neoliberal bullshit that is basically catnip to MWK and your readers (me).
The WSJ simply reflects the “me” focus that comes from barely mitigated capitalism. So many Americans seem to believe they might get their own break and become a billionaire that we’re building a society for billionaires instead of the mostly washed but unwealthy mass of us.
A more “us” focused society would provide health and dental care for Jools and you and me. A more “us” focused society would provide K through college education for everyone capable of benefiting, but we want to be billionaires and we don’t want to pay for anyone we don’t think is worthy, not a penny.
The irony is that so many of those who think this way also align with the Christian right, a powerful political faction their founder would be loathe to be associated with. Love thy neighbor indeed.
Learned a few years ago that you can trace the 'kids today don't want to work' via newspaper headlines back to the 1800s. Same donuts, different parking lots.
The combination of influencer and need for social safety net to cover basic health and dental care is too much for people, from TikTok to the WSJ. Each one on its own is suspect, but the two together... you have to wonder what the response would be if the money was for something else.
Your writing is a literal pleasure to read. Impeccable grammar, pinpoint cultural references, and insane vocabulary range. (Ex. Read something of yours recently where you used the term “ouroboros”. I’m a vocab nerd and I had never heard that word before. Made me so happy to learn it!) And all that is secondary to the fact that I learn something(s) valuable every. single. time. You’re a treasure, Katie. Thanks for continuing to do this work. It matters.
Is there money in going viral on TikTok? I am not a TikTok user, so I don't know, but it doesn't seem completely obvious to me that a viral short video would actually result in money in the pocket. I'm not saying that people who mismanage their money shouldn't have access to dental care, but I'd need to be convinced that there actually was "mismanagement" before I draw any conclusions to that effect.
But also, everyone should have access to health care, and that access should include dental care, vision care & mental health care.
My whole body of work is against the bootstrapping myth. If hard work, talent, grit and thrift got you anywhere, I would not be 60 and turning to plasma donation to cover my bills.
I listened to the Jools Lebron episode, it was the first time I'd heard anything about them. What can I say, despite being extremely online in some niche ways, I also live under a rock.
It was really well done and just incredibly sad. Another example of us little people fighting each other instead of the real hoarders or wealth.
Also, I'm a Brit and even we treat dental different to other medical issues - why is this a thing?! So random.
And the rollerskating party?! Best thing I've seen in a long time!
Do you think the reaction is to economics itself or to institutions that explained it badly for twenty years? The distrust seems earned even when the conclusions aren't.
Great post! Reminds me a little bit of a role reversal of the drama around James Charles and the laid off Spirit employee. In both cases, the internet mob was angry at the “influencer” in the situation (rightfully so at James Charles IMO)
I've effectively learned to tune out the latest social media uproar and wait for MWK, DL, or any of my other trusted sources of information's more nuanced, charitable, and compassionate read of the situation.
I've subscribed to my own version of Katie's "if it weren't for social media would I know about this" for a long time and it's been very useful in helping me figure out what is (the people in power ruining our lives and damaging society from multiple fronts) and isn't (influencer having to resort to online pan-handling due to the fuckery caused by the aforementioned people in power) worthy of my outrage.
Thanks for another great article!
The New Yorker dump is the realest thing in the world. I wish they did a monthly digest with the best of the month.
Also ugh you are such a good writer. Really enjoyed this.
Hahahhahah if you reverse Bari Weiss’ed at WSJ and secured a column I would actually become its paid subscriber.
The “it shoulda been me” meanness of the mob is a tale as old as time, this latest iteration just drips with the neoliberal bullshit that is basically catnip to MWK and your readers (me).
The WSJ simply reflects the “me” focus that comes from barely mitigated capitalism. So many Americans seem to believe they might get their own break and become a billionaire that we’re building a society for billionaires instead of the mostly washed but unwealthy mass of us.
A more “us” focused society would provide health and dental care for Jools and you and me. A more “us” focused society would provide K through college education for everyone capable of benefiting, but we want to be billionaires and we don’t want to pay for anyone we don’t think is worthy, not a penny.
The irony is that so many of those who think this way also align with the Christian right, a powerful political faction their founder would be loathe to be associated with. Love thy neighbor indeed.
Learned a few years ago that you can trace the 'kids today don't want to work' via newspaper headlines back to the 1800s. Same donuts, different parking lots.
I f*%#king (or however many characters I’m supposed to add) love your writing. Period.
The combination of influencer and need for social safety net to cover basic health and dental care is too much for people, from TikTok to the WSJ. Each one on its own is suspect, but the two together... you have to wonder what the response would be if the money was for something else.
So I have no idea who any of these influencers are - but there’s definitely a deeper structural analysis once the initial anger dissipates.
The oldest Gen Z is 30 - wow time flies!
Loved the recent tradwife episode!
Your writing is a literal pleasure to read. Impeccable grammar, pinpoint cultural references, and insane vocabulary range. (Ex. Read something of yours recently where you used the term “ouroboros”. I’m a vocab nerd and I had never heard that word before. Made me so happy to learn it!) And all that is secondary to the fact that I learn something(s) valuable every. single. time. You’re a treasure, Katie. Thanks for continuing to do this work. It matters.
Omg the New Yorker !! I’m currently only 3 issues behind 😭🫠 glad I’m not alone
I'm about 15 issues behind. I'm close to clearing the slate in the circular file!!!!
Is there money in going viral on TikTok? I am not a TikTok user, so I don't know, but it doesn't seem completely obvious to me that a viral short video would actually result in money in the pocket. I'm not saying that people who mismanage their money shouldn't have access to dental care, but I'd need to be convinced that there actually was "mismanagement" before I draw any conclusions to that effect.
But also, everyone should have access to health care, and that access should include dental care, vision care & mental health care.
My whole body of work is against the bootstrapping myth. If hard work, talent, grit and thrift got you anywhere, I would not be 60 and turning to plasma donation to cover my bills.
I listened to the Jools Lebron episode, it was the first time I'd heard anything about them. What can I say, despite being extremely online in some niche ways, I also live under a rock.
It was really well done and just incredibly sad. Another example of us little people fighting each other instead of the real hoarders or wealth.
Also, I'm a Brit and even we treat dental different to other medical issues - why is this a thing?! So random.
And the rollerskating party?! Best thing I've seen in a long time!
The Oura Ring lawsuit bit got me because I too bought one in 2020 out of pandemic desperation. Feeling very seen as a sad lab rat.
Do you think the reaction is to economics itself or to institutions that explained it badly for twenty years? The distrust seems earned even when the conclusions aren't.
Great post! Reminds me a little bit of a role reversal of the drama around James Charles and the laid off Spirit employee. In both cases, the internet mob was angry at the “influencer” in the situation (rightfully so at James Charles IMO)