trader joe. @ttraderjoe - Tumblr Blog

in a post-mortem for the 2024 presidential election, i consider how social media is used in political campaigns, how it divides us, and how it radicalizes us, and influences acts of political radicalism. but can we learn our lesson from the past in order to promote not only progress, but nuance in the future? all of this, and more, here:

28 years after the release of google.com, society feels more divided, and less intellectual, than ever. but how thoroughly does social media

#elections #2024 election #kamala harris #donald trump #politics #opinion #pop culture #us politics #discourse

the approval of the 55 billion dollar sale of electronic arts (EA), to saudi arabia's investment arm, jared Kushner, and private equity, could not only subject the sims to even more dlc output, but also put into danger the inclusive morals and values of the franchise. all of this, and more, here:

an acquisition of electronic arts could exacerbate an already severe micro-transaction issue, whilst also putting the franchise's values at

#sims #the sims 4 #the sims community #electronic arts #private equity #pop culture #opinion #politics

in a time of rapid artistic commercialization, where artists have to weigh creative talent and artistic vision with commercial performance, awards (grammy awards) and billboard chart success, artists get caught in the bylines creating art that's...less than the sum of its parts. all of this, and more, here:

in a time of rapid artistic commercialization, an existential question arises: do you have to be tortured to make good art?

#taylor swift #life of a showgirl #harry styles #ariana grande #opinion #pop music #music criticism #pop culture

The death of Republican senator Lindsey Graham this month brings up an...awkward moral quandary: are queer, closeted bigots deserving of privacy, even as they strip away humans rights from LGBTQ+ people? In my opinion... no. But what can we learn from these scandals? And what can the context of philosophy tell us about the morality surrounding the situation? All of this, and more, here:

the death of republican senator lindsey graham brings up an…awkward moral quandary.

#lgbtqia #lgbtq #republicans #gop #fuck the gop #lindsey graham #us politics #closeted gay #homophobia #queerphobia

eggsaladstain

GO OFF BESTIE

Source

The idea of the Rapture, or, a religious apocalyptic scenario, is a very American concept. But it’s only very recently that it’s exploded into mainstream politics. So why are these Christian groups so nihilistic? And how might their desire for Christ’s second coming impact their political affiliations? All of this, and more, here:

a large number of christians from different sects believe the end times will come any day. it's affecting american politics.

#rapture #christian fundamentalism #gop #us politics #opinion #substack #politics #christianity

in final fantasy xiv's third expansion, shadowbringers (2019), the player contends with deep societal issues, including wealth inequality and oppression. but one city, the crystarium, stands in complete contrast, with a communal system that makes goods available to everyone. can we, the player, learn from the allegory? all of this, and more, here:

final fantasy 14's shadowbringers expansion shows the player a society based on class unity. what can we learn from its message?

#ffxiv #ff14 #shadowbringers spoilers #zohran mamdani #socialism #class unity #classism #social issues #opinion #substack

omgthatdress

New York City’s popular landmark was lit light blue over the city skyline to celebrate the power couple’s wedding at Madison Square Garden o

this truly is America's royal wedding

the brooding white male protagonist, an underdog character with a *lesson* to learn, facilitated by every other character but himself. but what does he reveal about broader culture? and what does the relationship between the writers of these movies and tv and the fans reveal about our culture's relationship to women and people of color? all of this, and more, here:

film, tv, and fandom is obsessed with the emotional journeys of white men. what does it say about our views on desirability and art?

#doctor who #superwholock #bbc sherlock #supernatural #indie films #manic pixie dream girl #women #movies #films

charl0ttan

adderall is a kind of maid that helps with doing chores around the house

sex and the city's most important, and toxic, relationship is of course, carrie & mr. big. yet, despite numerous moments of self-awareness and conviction, carrie still ends up with big in the end. why is that? an exploration into this, and more, here:

despite numerous moments of self-awareness and conviction, carrie bradshaw still ends up with mr. big. why is that?

#sex and the city #satc #carrie bradshaw #substack #relationships #mr. big #mr big

strange-aeons

during pride month??????

music journalism is bigger than ever, and has never been more controversial, or unnecessary. but when the genre turns to sensationalism and ignores empathy, can it actually turn to cruelty? in examining Anthony Fantano's (theneedledrop) review of Halsey's 2024 album 'The Great Impersonator' i ponder these questions, and more, all here:

music criticism has never been bigger, or less necessary. but when does critique turn into cruelty?

#the needle drop #media criticism #music criticism #music critique #pop music #pop culture #fandom culture #halsey #the great impersonator #cruelty

people are always telling me about the hopes and dreams they left behind. what's stopping them from achieving what they want? in a world of existential inertia and adult responsibility, you still remain as the only person in control of your own destiny. you can read about this and more, here: