The thing about literary men--it's really straight white men making the argument when there are, in fact, a lot of diverse male authors that they haven't bothered to read. Straight white male authors ruled the roost for a LONG time. The real issue is how to get boys to read--a continuous problem.
I’m personally very tired of being told I should be worried about men. I’m definitely worried, but the real question is, are they worried??? Given that only 54% of them brush their teeth daily (appalling), I don’t think they are.
truly sad to see the decline of terrible, cringe but great to watch teen characters and plotlines. it's also happening in YA novels. or been happening? like you said, too serious and too self aware.
So true!!! Before, shows rarely broke the 4th wall and when they did, there was always a big build up so it actually felt like cultural movement. Now it feels like shows work too hard to be intentionally cringe so they can beat you (the audience) to the punch. It’s weird and makes watching tv not fun :(
big agree!! additionally, with teen media I think most of the time now it feels targeted toward adults instead of teenagers? which I would think you would want your audience to be. but not sure if that's just a me thing + the way tv has just changed ie. who has access to the big shows since they're all on streaming platforms and scattered out etc etc
oof well I just be chatting so this is half baked but in YA literature specifically a big portion of that readership are adults and not actual teens and if you compare the subject matter + writing style of what's being published today vs what was published 10-15 yrs ago, it's just so different (probably for the best but also???). is that because books are more expensive, so cater to the ones who can shell out 30 bucks for a hardcov3r? or do kids look to tiktok for what to read (mainly adult romance or fantasy/romantasy?) idk! but the shift has been interesting. I think I would need to think about it more. also this isn't to say catering to adults is wrong. as the article said, having material that a large breadth of people can relate to and be entertained by is good! but we're sacrificing something here
Here to comment on dAIting apps, as someone who used them for a decade unsuccessfully, think it’s a huge miss to assume that more tech, not less will make any improvements for people looking for love.
Founders and parent companies like the Match group have gamified the dating experience and at their core they all exist to make money. As an elder millennial think we are all swiped out real talk, and don’t think AI is going to make much of a difference.
Also with all we know about LLMs being written with discrimination built in (wonder how that happens lol) don’t have a lot of confidence on how they will make my dating life better as a black woman. But ya if you are 25 and American and blond, prob will be just the ticket.
I could not agree more. I cant believe we're still going along with the answer being more tech, after we've all agreed that tech is the problem in the first place
Agree! I’ve personally noticed more people moving towards a conservative approach to dating and I think with that turn, online dating will suffer. And if it doesn’t, it’ll be a more limited demographic who turn to it. Curious (and terrified) to see where things go in the next few years.
agreed. I think in the years online dating became the norm thought, so much of our ability as a society to go out and meet people really suffered, so its going to be a learning curve
We binged Black Doves and it was spectacular. I love Ben Whishaw. British spy movies are giving me so much life this holiday season. Slow Horses, The Day of the Jackal 😍😍😍 I’ve been telling everyone I know to watch it. (His wife’s family annoys me tho)
wait I need to check out slow horses. I keep hearing bout it. and yes that show is a delight. really grieving the fact that it's over. and yes his wife's family is the worst! their timeline gives me the most anxiety
I’m genuinely sad I’m all caught up with Slow Horses. I can’t wait for season 5. The first episode is a little wonky so give it a couple episodes before deciding ❤️🔥
Makeup is such a saturated market....I guess it makes sense for someone who claims to be a beauty influencer and does GRWM but how many bronzers does the world need? Given who her father is, a clothing line would have been an understandable market.
A successful brand could save her reputation from the general public, let's see what happens.
i was vaguely aware of the beef tallow thing and then this week i started seeing people emphatically recommending it in substack community chats, and i honestly can't tell if they're bots are not. i'm staunch meat eater but like... what, what is going on here. people don't sip the koolaid anymore, they chug it
Dear Ochuko, like Kiran, I don't understand much of what you say/write! It's well written and intriguing as hell, springing from a world I don't know or get. I'd like to get all the names, the brands, the phenomena you refer to---I think you must be the hippest, best-informed creature on this beautiful earth. And I'm pleased as hell to be family!
The thing about literary men--it's really straight white men making the argument when there are, in fact, a lot of diverse male authors that they haven't bothered to read. Straight white male authors ruled the roost for a LONG time. The real issue is how to get boys to read--a continuous problem.
THIS! He dances towards this and then quickly away in the piece when he writes about the JCO tweet.
I saw your essay in response to this btw. so good!
I couldn't put my finger on what I thought that article was missing and I think it's this!
yup
I had to ask cuz the whole piece confused me. the comments section on that piece was wild as well, very women have taken over everything
Yes, the poor white male literary writers…they’ve got nowhere to go 🙄
did not know olivia jade had enough superfans for a beauty brand
she really does not is the thing
I’m personally very tired of being told I should be worried about men. I’m definitely worried, but the real question is, are they worried??? Given that only 54% of them brush their teeth daily (appalling), I don’t think they are.
I see what you're saying, and I dont disagree. these men are not worries enough for themselves.
Only 54% of men brushing their teeth daily is going to be on my mind for a long minute
not even surprised and thats the sad part
I don’t know what beehiv is but I find the dropped “e” deeply stupid.
haha the computer kept autocorrecting. also hate the name tbh
truly sad to see the decline of terrible, cringe but great to watch teen characters and plotlines. it's also happening in YA novels. or been happening? like you said, too serious and too self aware.
So true!!! Before, shows rarely broke the 4th wall and when they did, there was always a big build up so it actually felt like cultural movement. Now it feels like shows work too hard to be intentionally cringe so they can beat you (the audience) to the punch. It’s weird and makes watching tv not fun :(
big agree!! additionally, with teen media I think most of the time now it feels targeted toward adults instead of teenagers? which I would think you would want your audience to be. but not sure if that's just a me thing + the way tv has just changed ie. who has access to the big shows since they're all on streaming platforms and scattered out etc etc
this is interesting., I hadnt thought of this. say more!
oof well I just be chatting so this is half baked but in YA literature specifically a big portion of that readership are adults and not actual teens and if you compare the subject matter + writing style of what's being published today vs what was published 10-15 yrs ago, it's just so different (probably for the best but also???). is that because books are more expensive, so cater to the ones who can shell out 30 bucks for a hardcov3r? or do kids look to tiktok for what to read (mainly adult romance or fantasy/romantasy?) idk! but the shift has been interesting. I think I would need to think about it more. also this isn't to say catering to adults is wrong. as the article said, having material that a large breadth of people can relate to and be entertained by is good! but we're sacrificing something here
agreed. just and writing tbh
I didnt know this was happening in YA novels as well. shame
this is my newspaper, the only stack i read from top to bottom, front to back. compliments to the chef!
Here to comment on dAIting apps, as someone who used them for a decade unsuccessfully, think it’s a huge miss to assume that more tech, not less will make any improvements for people looking for love.
Founders and parent companies like the Match group have gamified the dating experience and at their core they all exist to make money. As an elder millennial think we are all swiped out real talk, and don’t think AI is going to make much of a difference.
Also with all we know about LLMs being written with discrimination built in (wonder how that happens lol) don’t have a lot of confidence on how they will make my dating life better as a black woman. But ya if you are 25 and American and blond, prob will be just the ticket.
I could not agree more. I cant believe we're still going along with the answer being more tech, after we've all agreed that tech is the problem in the first place
Agree! I’ve personally noticed more people moving towards a conservative approach to dating and I think with that turn, online dating will suffer. And if it doesn’t, it’ll be a more limited demographic who turn to it. Curious (and terrified) to see where things go in the next few years.
agreed. I think in the years online dating became the norm thought, so much of our ability as a society to go out and meet people really suffered, so its going to be a learning curve
We binged Black Doves and it was spectacular. I love Ben Whishaw. British spy movies are giving me so much life this holiday season. Slow Horses, The Day of the Jackal 😍😍😍 I’ve been telling everyone I know to watch it. (His wife’s family annoys me tho)
wait I need to check out slow horses. I keep hearing bout it. and yes that show is a delight. really grieving the fact that it's over. and yes his wife's family is the worst! their timeline gives me the most anxiety
I’m genuinely sad I’m all caught up with Slow Horses. I can’t wait for season 5. The first episode is a little wonky so give it a couple episodes before deciding ❤️🔥
wait five seasons? why am I just hearing of this lol
Because it’s on Apple TV 😂
"No one writes truly messy, pathetically foolish teen characters anymore, and that’s a shame." tattoo this onto me
Makeup is such a saturated market....I guess it makes sense for someone who claims to be a beauty influencer and does GRWM but how many bronzers does the world need? Given who her father is, a clothing line would have been an understandable market.
A successful brand could save her reputation from the general public, let's see what happens.
wait who's her father? I dont think she's a big enough infleuncer to pull it off tbh. her influence isnt influencing enough I think
Her father is Mossimo Giannulli, of the ubiquitous Target brand Mossimo.
Listen Irish people are not... overly positive about Americans. We do love to take your money though, so that's the price I think!
lollll. quoted this is todays newsletter. no surprises there
An honour!
i was vaguely aware of the beef tallow thing and then this week i started seeing people emphatically recommending it in substack community chats, and i honestly can't tell if they're bots are not. i'm staunch meat eater but like... what, what is going on here. people don't sip the koolaid anymore, they chug it
that this is going on on substack is a sign of the times lol. I can;t even. just keeping my head down and writing about it I guess
Dear Ochuko, like Kiran, I don't understand much of what you say/write! It's well written and intriguing as hell, springing from a world I don't know or get. I'd like to get all the names, the brands, the phenomena you refer to---I think you must be the hippest, best-informed creature on this beautiful earth. And I'm pleased as hell to be family!
I'm so glad you're here and that you enjoy the newsletter. You're so wonderful and pleased as hell to be family too! See you soon ❤️
BTW, the show is Black Doves.
omg thank you I edited it lol.
It’s tough being a columnist when you’re also its only editor. I know from experience. The eyes play tricks on us🖖🏾
The free Luigi merch! My GOD
ps - been thinking about the literary men piece all week
we need your thoughts please