The Zuckerberg smile thing allows to share with someone else the big theory I have come up with latley, that with Social media and the modern online world, we live in a world built by losers for losers. In the Social Network, Zuckerberg s big moment of inspiration is putting Relationship Status on your Facebook profile, being a loser with no social skills he lacks the wit and charm to subtly find out if a girl is single or not, or to get across that he is single and interested, so thinking like a loser he puts big Motel NO VACANCY/VACANCY signs above everyones head, thinking that this makes the world better, in a way only a loser could view the world
So again, we live in a world built by losers for losers and then we wonder why everything sucks
That's a bit depressing if one draws the line that the more online you are, the bigger a loser you are. Or are we talking about the world in general? Like, extensive social safety nets are losers voting themselves money?
Experiencing art while jet lagged is definitely a good idea- as is being quite hungover. Had semi-religious experience with the Rothkos and Monets at Tate Modern while nursing a bad head many years ago - only similar experience was also being hungover while watching jellyfish and sea otters in Osaka Aquarium. Have been back to Tate Modern entirely sober and with grumpy tweens in tow and was profoundly unmoved. Thanks for the newsletter. Looking forward to the Edinburgh event!
I know it's always fun to shit on Zuckerberg for his role in creating the world we live in, but I'd like to point out that he has been married once for 12 years, which is fairly successful by modern standards. The average marriage for celebrities lasts about 8 years.
If you’re ever remotely in the vicinity (unlikely, I concede) I’d encourage you to visit MONA in Tasmania.
There’s a Candice Breitz piece there which is just a bank of TVs simultaneously showing people having the absolute time of their lives singing along to Madonna’s Immaculate Collection.
It’s the most joyful, riotously funny thing I have ever come across in a gallery, interesting and profound and completely life affirming.
I don’t think it’s all online but there’s a clip here:
The Alice Sullivan review on NHS data re. sex vs gender seems sensible, pragmatic and responsible. So far the reaction to it seems broadly supportive, with only kneejerk rejections from a couple of activist groups. Could it be this debate is genuinely calming down, and oh god do we need to thank Trump?
Well, I think one must keep in mind that humans are very oriented toward social status. Men may want to be firemen, but a white-collar job has more status. Thus, as a fireman you're primarily commanding the adulation and respect of young boys and a subset of horny women, but not really the broad social scene.
There are, of course, plenty of white collar jobs that code aggressive male (finance bro? car salesman?). But I think it's a bit more complicated than "if you wanted it you'd do it."
Just look at how certain things break down across social strata. The fireman will barbecue, the software developer will sous vide*. Why? It's not about innate male desires. Something else is going on.
*Actually. My liberal programmer husband sous vides, while his conservative programmer friend BBQs. It's not black-and-white but I think you will find that it mostly falls along predictable lines.
I was extremely sniffy when I read it, but once inside I was mesmerised. The friend I was with agreed that it was the best thing in the Tate Modern at the time.
This might be a silly comment.. but could you explain exactly what you mean when you say 'gift link'. Is it - a way for you to link to a usually paywalled article? Does that access expire at some stage? Can I only click it once? Just want to make sure i can read everything you link too but often can't do it right away.. Thank You <3 sorry for the boring question!
Gift links work differently on different publications, but the usual format is that a subscriber can give their friends a link that bypasses the paywall. The FT ones only work for the first 300 clicks (I think) but Atlantic ones work for infinite clicks, but only for two weeks from creation.
I've been trying to do a solid media cull (not enought hours in the day, making me sad I can't keep up with everything I'd like to) - and honestly, the easiest solution is just "read the things that Helen Lewis tells you to". So I've written that down in my little notebook here. You always surface the most interesting, most well written links here.. Thank you! <3 Can't wait for the book and wish I was in London (I'm in Australia) for the talk on June 19.
Loved that Vanity Fair piece- thanks- as I would never have otherwise come across it, or that Graydon Carter book which I’ll now follow up…do you know yet when you might be in Bath? Also: Skyspace and The Visitors- awesome. Will go down THAT rabbit hole now, too!
Some years ago I came across a live Kjartannson piece at the New Museum in NYC. I wanted to scoff at its absurdity, but ended up being completely entranced by its simplicity and unexpected beauty. It was a similar piece with a live performance of a repeating loop of music, with a film playing in the background. The musicians freely wandered the space, got beer and water out of a fridge, lounged on old mattresses and armchairs. It was transcendent.
The Zuckerberg smile thing allows to share with someone else the big theory I have come up with latley, that with Social media and the modern online world, we live in a world built by losers for losers. In the Social Network, Zuckerberg s big moment of inspiration is putting Relationship Status on your Facebook profile, being a loser with no social skills he lacks the wit and charm to subtly find out if a girl is single or not, or to get across that he is single and interested, so thinking like a loser he puts big Motel NO VACANCY/VACANCY signs above everyones head, thinking that this makes the world better, in a way only a loser could view the world
So again, we live in a world built by losers for losers and then we wonder why everything sucks
Oh, ouch. I’ve always thought Zuck was on the spectrum. So it feels like a low blow to me to criticize his affect or social skills.
That's a bit depressing if one draws the line that the more online you are, the bigger a loser you are. Or are we talking about the world in general? Like, extensive social safety nets are losers voting themselves money?
Experiencing art while jet lagged is definitely a good idea- as is being quite hungover. Had semi-religious experience with the Rothkos and Monets at Tate Modern while nursing a bad head many years ago - only similar experience was also being hungover while watching jellyfish and sea otters in Osaka Aquarium. Have been back to Tate Modern entirely sober and with grumpy tweens in tow and was profoundly unmoved. Thanks for the newsletter. Looking forward to the Edinburgh event!
Yes, I'm not big on modern art but now I'm wondering if being slightly off in the head would make it more palatable to consume.
I know it's always fun to shit on Zuckerberg for his role in creating the world we live in, but I'd like to point out that he has been married once for 12 years, which is fairly successful by modern standards. The average marriage for celebrities lasts about 8 years.
If you’re ever remotely in the vicinity (unlikely, I concede) I’d encourage you to visit MONA in Tasmania.
There’s a Candice Breitz piece there which is just a bank of TVs simultaneously showing people having the absolute time of their lives singing along to Madonna’s Immaculate Collection.
It’s the most joyful, riotously funny thing I have ever come across in a gallery, interesting and profound and completely life affirming.
I don’t think it’s all online but there’s a clip here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FPZU7sCxw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The Alice Sullivan review on NHS data re. sex vs gender seems sensible, pragmatic and responsible. So far the reaction to it seems broadly supportive, with only kneejerk rejections from a couple of activist groups. Could it be this debate is genuinely calming down, and oh god do we need to thank Trump?
Chris Arnade's substack is excellent.
Well, I think one must keep in mind that humans are very oriented toward social status. Men may want to be firemen, but a white-collar job has more status. Thus, as a fireman you're primarily commanding the adulation and respect of young boys and a subset of horny women, but not really the broad social scene.
There are, of course, plenty of white collar jobs that code aggressive male (finance bro? car salesman?). But I think it's a bit more complicated than "if you wanted it you'd do it."
Just look at how certain things break down across social strata. The fireman will barbecue, the software developer will sous vide*. Why? It's not about innate male desires. Something else is going on.
*Actually. My liberal programmer husband sous vides, while his conservative programmer friend BBQs. It's not black-and-white but I think you will find that it mostly falls along predictable lines.
You're not the only one who adored The Visitors.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2019/sep/17/the-best-visual-art-of-the-21st-century
I love artwork that I initially approach with disdain that then confounds my expectations! One of the best was this one, which had a very pompous plaque on the outside: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/eliasson-your-double-lighthouse-projection-t11842
I was extremely sniffy when I read it, but once inside I was mesmerised. The friend I was with agreed that it was the best thing in the Tate Modern at the time.
This might be a silly comment.. but could you explain exactly what you mean when you say 'gift link'. Is it - a way for you to link to a usually paywalled article? Does that access expire at some stage? Can I only click it once? Just want to make sure i can read everything you link too but often can't do it right away.. Thank You <3 sorry for the boring question!
Gift links work differently on different publications, but the usual format is that a subscriber can give their friends a link that bypasses the paywall. The FT ones only work for the first 300 clicks (I think) but Atlantic ones work for infinite clicks, but only for two weeks from creation.
Thanks so much Helen : ) Hello from the future (Sunday morning in Australia - ha).
I've been trying to do a solid media cull (not enought hours in the day, making me sad I can't keep up with everything I'd like to) - and honestly, the easiest solution is just "read the things that Helen Lewis tells you to". So I've written that down in my little notebook here. You always surface the most interesting, most well written links here.. Thank you! <3 Can't wait for the book and wish I was in London (I'm in Australia) for the talk on June 19.
Highly recommend Caroline Crampton's newsletter (over on ghost I think) for the same reason.
Loved that Vanity Fair piece- thanks- as I would never have otherwise come across it, or that Graydon Carter book which I’ll now follow up…do you know yet when you might be in Bath? Also: Skyspace and The Visitors- awesome. Will go down THAT rabbit hole now, too!
The current plan is 18 June at Toppings, but it’s not finalised yet…
Great- I ll keep an eye on their events and will look forward to it. Have a lovely Saturday!
I saw The Visitors, thank you for the reminder! It had slipped my mind.
Let me know if you need any SF recs, besides the Moma.
Thanks so much but I’m already home!
Some years ago I came across a live Kjartannson piece at the New Museum in NYC. I wanted to scoff at its absurdity, but ended up being completely entranced by its simplicity and unexpected beauty. It was a similar piece with a live performance of a repeating loop of music, with a film playing in the background. The musicians freely wandered the space, got beer and water out of a fridge, lounged on old mattresses and armchairs. It was transcendent.