Sore Sentences: A Sparse Selection

Upfront: This week’s newsletter feels devoid of its usual vitality, a result of my being temporarily flattened by a virus, which has left me somewhat weakened. Inevitably so, having a kindergartener at home. Not only have I not had time to write, but I also haven’t kept up with any news. So here is a very short list of reading recommendations and the promise of more “Odds & Sods” next week.

How Fascism Is Taking Hold in Pop Culture

Ever wondered how fascism is creeping into our pop culture? From the Kardashians to Gwen Stefani, celebrities embrace conservative ideologies that were once considered taboo. What does it mean when influencers and stars align themselves with right-wing politics? Annika Brockschmidt has written a compelling piece on the intersection of politics and pop culture for Belltower.News. She highlights how fascist elements are becoming normalized in unexpected ways.

Suction and Distraction: The Vacuum That Never Lets You Be

Oh for fuck’s sake. Samsung’s latest innovation—a vacuum that alerts you to calls and texts—marks a new frontier in the dystopian quest for omnipresent connectivity. It’s as if we’re being herded toward a future where even the most mundane chores are transformed into opportunities for distraction. How quaint, the days when one could simply clean without the nagging fear of missing a text. Now, we’re faced with the prospect of being tethered to our devices even as we sweep away the dust of our analogue past. Truly, a brave new world of unrelenting intrusion.

Elon Musk’s Daughter Exposes His Left-Wing Lie

In a scathing interview, Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk’s estranged daughter, delightfully skewered her father’s reputation by revealing that his once left-wing persona was merely a clever “marketing scheme.” Having worked for Business Insider, a publication that deeply covered Musk years before his big hype started, I don’t find this surprising. His liberal leanings were simply a facade designed to charm the public, much like his other grandiose ventures. Wilson also humorously described him as an “insecure buffoon,” questioning his innovative abilities and labeling Tesla a “Ponzi scheme” due to its high price-to-earnings ratio. Musk’s greatest innovation might be his ability to reinvent himself, but not necessarily for the better.

Next week will be better—or at least a bit longer. I promise. Thank you for reading.