culture porn 7/1
our weekly content recommendations
the world feels like a tragic place right now, and we all need time to process it, each in our own way. if you’re looking for an escape, a rabbit hole, or a groove, here are a few options. we hope they provide some holiday distraction!
screenshot me:
mind over murder (hbo)
this grisly miniseries covers a tragic murder in beatrice, nebraska, and the false conviction of the "beatrice six." i found episode one to be the wrong choice for dinnertime watching, but was fascinated with the harsh ripple effects of the event and its aftermath on the broader community. filmmaker nanfu wang employs a community theater approach to tap into this and challenge conventions of the crime genre. while i appreciated the innovation (i was reminded of THE LARAMIE PROJECT), i also found it somewhat distracting from what is already a very complex tale.
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break my soul lyric video: beyoncé (youtube)
despite the complicated history behind this track’s authorship, anything bey does is culturally notable. i love the minimalist–yet–fierce vibe of the lyric video she dropped this week – demonstrating the power of strong typography against a strutting groove.
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the ankler (substack)
this outlet has been my #1 read & listen these past few months with media in a state of constant chaos. richard rushfield's sardonic tone cracks me up endlessly and was always a fantastic read. with janice min joining forces, THE ANKLER has successfully raised new funding and for readers, that means a lot of new snazzy talent and podcasts to listen to. a recent podcast on the insane hierarchy of scheduling hollywood meetings had me in stitches.
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the hearing trumpet: leonora carrington
having recently encountered the art of surrealist leonora carrington, whose MILK OF DREAMS was adopted by the venice biennale as its 2022 theme, i found her writing to be equally imaginative, intimate, and transcendent. it's no surprise she's a fave writer of the equally impish björk.
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the old man (hulu)
jeff bridges, john lithgow, amy brenneman, and alia shawkat deliver award-worthy performances in this must-see CIA thriller. surprisingly bracing, twisty and turny in the best ways, you'll be counting the hours before the next episode drops.
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the bear (hulu)
even if you're not a foodie, you'll be caught up in the authenticity of this excellent, visceral "gritcom" about a high-end chef determined to revive his late brother's hole-in-the-wall chicago kitchen – like a tough-and-rumble answer to TOP CHEF.
insights + inspo
curious about the 4 day workweek?
linda ong, sarah unger, and joe o'connor, ceo of 4 DAY WEEK - GLOBAL, broke it down on linkedin live and busted some myths.
listen to their conversation here
is this the end of summer as we’ve known it?
so, i always secretly hated summer but now i feel like i can shout it from the rooftops. sure, when i was frigidly living through east coast winters i might think heat felt better. but summer has come to mean scary things for west coasters, like wildfires and blazing temps -- reminders that nature is shifting. being entirely doom + gloom is also not helpful, so i'm remaining optimistic in humankind to innovate through the issues, while enjoying the cooler mornings + evenings and avoiding the midday sun.
- sarah unger, @sarahjaneunger
to see more, head here
mental health x AAPI community
linda ong and vanessa tsang shiliwala of THRIVE SPICE discuss the importance of prioritizing your mental health and the AAPI community.
listen to their conversation here
gen zs are being forced to choose between their values and their paychecks
the reaction to our post on SHEIN's rising dominance in fast-fashion shines a light on a glaring contradiction: gen z's commitment to environmental issues at a time when they're feeling the squeeze of inflation for the very first time – forcing them to choose between their values and their paychecks. according to DELOITTE's latest global gen z and millennial survey, these contradictions are part of their everyday existence, as they strive for balance while advocating for change: "this year’s survey found that gen zs and millennials are deeply worried about the state of the world and are fighting to reconcile their desire for change with the demands and constraints of everyday life."
- linda ong, @lindaong100
for more, head here
#LOokforward🌅 with linda ong
i was in college in austin when i found myself unexpectedly pregnant, the drugstore contraceptive i'd over-relied upon having failed me and my boyfriend at the time. i was admittedly naive, but smart enough to know the local PLANNED PARENTHOOD was the place to go for a safe, legal, accessible and affordable end to my pregnancy – and also supply me with the birth control i'd been too nervous to ask my parents to help me secure. although that was decades ago, since then, i've valued the freedom that option gave me – and my decision to take it – and there is zero chance you would be reading this right now had that not been the case. i'm in pain for the millions of women whose futures are now in question, and regardless of which organizations you support, i am very grateful to the one that took me in, no questions asked, and sent me safely home and to my future.
last week's alarming SCOTUS ruling should be a wake up call for anyone concerned about preserving the very human liberties – the right to defer or delay pregnancy, to marry or be in relationships with whomever we choose – that differentiate this country from so many other restrictive cultures in the world. we only have one recourse right now, and that is to make your voices heard in november. please VOTE.
much of the talk on THE GREAT RESIGNATION has been focused on workers – but now their bosses are bearing the brunt of the burnout. high-level execs may be the next to flee.
for linda’s full post, head here