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The Rizzler and the Acceleration of Modern Fame
A defining feature of today’s cultural landscape is the erosion of the monoculture. From YouTube essays on the fall of the Roman Empire to British baking shows and livestreams of Minecraft gameplay, there is a seemingly infinite amount of content to consume on the internet. With such a wealth of content, social media platforms and…
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Will Smith Accused of Using AI Fans in Album Promo Video
Will Smith made headlines this week for allegedly using AI to simulate fans in a video he posted to promote his new album. In the minute-long video posted to YouTube, images can be seen of fans holding up signs praising Smith, nearly in tears from the power of his music. YouTubers were quick to point out that these…
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Influencers, Advertising, and the End of Authentic Celebrity
There once was a time when selling out was viewed as a bad thing. A time when celebrity was balanced against the temptations of lucrative sponsorships, product placement, and corporate involvement. Particularly in the 90s among Gen X, selling out was worse than death, a sign of submission to the man. Celebrity was generally achieved…
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The Death of Weed Culture
The Death of Weed Culture If you live in a state like California, it’s hard to remember a time when weed was actually illegal. Classified as a misdemeanor in 1975, made “medically” legal in 1996, and recreationally legal in 2016, anyone under the age of 40 would be hard-pressed to recall a time when possessing…
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Can Dana White Save Surfing?
Since its inception in the 70s, the World Surf League (formerly the ASP), has longed for prominence on the level of professional basketball or football. Professional surfing has experienced numerous ups and downs, but even at its peak, pro surfing’s fan base primarily consisted of surfers. It’s been nearly 60 years, and the WSL still…
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Ranking The Five Best Soda Off-Brands
Soda has experienced a complete rejuvenation over the last few years thanks to brand like Olipop and Poppi. These brands sell “healthy soda,” soda that contains less sugar and prebiotics that promote gut health. Are these sodas actually healthy? Probably not. Poppi recently reached a $9 million settlement for false advertising related to its gut health claims.…
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Is It Bad That I Use Wikipedia Every Day?
According to Wikipedia, Wikipedia is the 9th most trafficked website in the world. From topics as broad as the color red to alphabetized lists of prominent celebrity sex tapes, there is a nearly endless wealth of information on Wikipedia. Operating as a non-profit, Wikipedia subsists on donations and provides its content ad-free. All the information on Wikipedia is provided by…
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Cotino and the Cult of Disney Adults: How Fandom Became a Real Estate Strategy
The term “Disney Adult” is a polarizing term used to describe adults (often middle-aged) who are obsessed with the Walt Disney Company. They religiously watch the movies, decorate their homes with Disney merchandise, and frequently visit Disney resorts. To some, the Disney Adult represents a form of arrested development. To others, Disney fandom is no…
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From Harambe to DUIs: How the Internet Turned Drunk Driving Into a Joke
From Harambe to storming Area 51, popular culture is often intensely consumed by a meme until it inevitably fizzles out. The newest meme on the scene? Drunk driving. For whatever reason, drunk driving has become the latest topic to joke about. These memes often frame drinking and driving as fun, or even as the “ideal”…
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Crypto, Conspiracies, and Johnnie Walker: The Gospel of Luke Belmar
In the past few months my Instagram feed has become inundated with “hustle bros.” A distinct segment of the manosphere, these self-help influencers offer “advice” on how to become a successful entrepreneur and “escape the matrix.” The “advice” usually comes in the form of paid online course, like the Tate brothers’ “Hustler’s University.” There is…