culture porn 1/20
our weekly playlist
screenshot me:
moonage daydream (universal/neon)
i've been fascinated by david bowie ever since i met him in 1984, when being objectified as a CHINA GIRL felt like the equivalent of finally being seen by culture. so i loved how brett morgen's authorized "cinematic odyssey" of his art and artistry channels his enigmatic, sensory vision.
***
the creative act: a way of being(penguin press/audible)
i am truly inspired reading this meditation on creativity by legendary music producer and guru rick rubin (TOM PETTY, BEASTIE BOYS, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, U2). here, he posits that everyone is an artist; we just need to engage our spirituality – by being open and aware to our surroundings – to let the art find us within. his soothing voice make for a great read AND a great listen.
***
the hatchet wielding hitchhiker (netflix)
what i thought would be another doc about a viral moment overblown into too-long content (hello, PEPSI, WHERE'S MY JET?) turned out to be something else entirely....a troubling story about homelessness, internet fame, violence, and so much more. watching this unsettled me. seems like some poor judgement calls were made back in 2013. kai himself has commented (from prison) that he feels "exploited" by the documentary.
***
the makanai: cooking for the maiko house (netflix)
this beautifully shot Hirokazu Kore-eda-directed adaptation of a popular manga series is well worth your watch. each episode allows you to enter the world of geisha culture through the eyes of a teen chef. it made me want to go to kyoto again. highly recommend!
***
rachel maddow presents: ultra (msnbc)
if you liked the ken burns doc THE US AND THE HOLOCAUST, you'll appreciate maddow's new pod. investigating american extremism's rise in the 1940s, its themes of insurrection, elected officials behaving badly, and pressure on the justice department all seem chillingly ripped from today's headlines.
***
marley & me (hbo max)
ask me why i stumbled upon this 2008 film on a friday night, and i'd have no better answer than the algorithm, which announced it was newly added to the streaming service. two hours later, after sobbing over the arc of a family's relationship with their unruly dog, i wasn't mad about it! in fact, it made me feel a lot better about my own dog's occasional energy-fueled maniacy. we're in a time when dogs are valuable members of the family. dog owners, re-watch and feel seen!
insights & inspo
gen z just saying no to drugs, booze, sex — here’s why
from dry january to over 650 million #sobertok views on TikTok, sobriety is trending-particularly among sober curious gen zers.
more insights here
why is gut health taking over tiktok?
warning: this may be hard to digest. ⚠️ gut health is making waves across social platforms with influencers pushing supplements, diets & powders galore. skeptics say the #1 solution is lifestyle but #2 (see what we did there?) may be determining what type of stool you have. check out the bristol stool chart to see what type of 💩 you’re working with & what it means for your gut health.
more insights here
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
this week the artist yayoi kusama’s collab with LOUIS VUITTON literally took over london and paris. with nods to SQUID GAMES and yummy pastries, it's fun to see a brand embrace her aesthetic of simplicity, neutrality, and infinity with such enthusiasm.
my girlcrush riri is herself a marketing maven, dropping her SUPER BOWL LVII halftime sneak preview on the trails of her head-turning GOLDEN GLOBES appearance, and teasing her music-starved fans that "you'll see me" on february 12.
this week we welcome THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT – my chinese zodiac sign:) you have two weeks to celebrate the new lunar year with the predictable range of curated consumer products or a multicourse banquet. but keep an eye on china, where recently-lifted lockdowns have spurred infections of 60,000+ people.
for linda’s full debrief, head here