The Pop Culture Cold Brew is a collection of pop culture adjacency news that’s sincerely piqued our interest during these unprecedented times— only without the celebrity worship culture and more, along with critique pieces on the pop culture and social mores. Get into it below.
As a Millennial with a useless ‘super power’ for remembering trivial pop culture and historical events, it’s hard not to get discouraged with our obvious time jump from 2022 back to the early aughts with marriage equality being questioned. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug, even if Bob Dylan famously twanged how ‘The Times They Are A-Changing’ back in 1964— but are they truly?
It seems like our simulation continues to glitch as we continue reverting in time. Congress overturning rights and militarized police, it’s no wonder the times are drawing near another revolt by marginalized communities. Then there are celebrities in their one-way mirroring bubble, flaunting their wealth during a growing global economic crisis, once again proving they do the absolute most— as politicians do the least.
Doing what theatricality stunt queens do, Congress’ political equivalence to Taylor Swift’s Squad of 2015 came up with some performative clout measures. With no wrist ties or handcuffs in sight, the cringe squad and seventeen(lawmakers were highly photographed during their timely protest.
Performative radicalism a day after AOC voted to expand the NATO permanent war alliance to Finland and Sweden, helping edge the world closer to nuclear war #fraudsquad https://t.co/47QJZ4lXWB.@AOC has just been escorted by police away from the Supreme Court. https://t.co/F9DOoLq8yJDouglas Blair @DouglasKBlair
With performative theatricality comes the glorification and savior complex to remind us that politicians truly do the bare minimum to acquiesce and appease. Not to discount efforts, but this Kardashian level of politicians stylishly protesting isn’t reassuring when more can be done, but still isn’t.
Especially considering SCOTUS indicating the overturning of more rights soon. Yet, in a 267-157 vote, the House approves a bill to now codify same-sex marriage— a bare minimum requirement from Congress— considering it’s their job. We shouldn’t have our standards on the floor or cheer in unison regarding civil rights or liberties by those capable of changing power. In the news to no one, all NO votes were Republicans.
As the world burns turns, leave it to celebrities who can’t read a room— even with their spontaneous ‘relatable’ damage control content, which is the equivalent of an iPhone notes apology.
Taking it all as all press is good press, like the self-dubbed ‘king’ Kylie Jenner proved with her affinity for sharing her Birkin collection and matching diamond rings with her toddler. While communities, or commoners, are utilizing cutting meat, metal/paper straws, and reusable shopping bags— the famous brood isn’t slowing down their flossy ways.
Private jets are found to emit two tons of CO2 in just one hour— so while celebrity stans and worshippers mindlessly defend the elite and their use of privileged money, the perspective here is that the world is dying. Our favorites include the well-intended Leonardo DiCaprio cavort and frolic while preaching about climate change. These revered and beloved favorites that we regular folks are conditioned to aspire to be are only hurling us closer to an environmental demise.
The carbon footing from a 10-minute flight is more than most achieve in a year; Jenner made five flights, and two were at least three minutes that could’ve been a 40-minute drive. Not to be outdone, equally out-of-touch older sister Kim showed off her white all-cashmere interior on the (somehow) still airing television show as the global cost-of-living crisis continues to ascend— nearly two decades in, why is there still a need to keep up with publicity stunted shenanigans— if we share our existence with apathetic/greedy politicians and frivolous celebrities, how about they start by doing their part in making it sustainable and livable.
As we continue these upside-down times, the temperature continues to insufferably rise as the extreme heat is taking its toll on us. Time has been reduced to just trying not to overheat and survive the times like my inner child would— though it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed the carefree vibes that summer brings. Instead, I curated some film picks with a sun-drenched cinematic aesthetic that’ll help us get lost from our blistering heat.
La Piscine (1969)
Summertime (1955)
Rear Window (1954)
Roman Holiday (1953)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
Y Tu Má También (2001)
Palm Springs (2020)
Atonement (2007)
Badlands (1973)
Bonus list: La Ciénaga (2001), The Seven Year Itch (1955), A Streetcar Named Desire (1955), The Way Way Back (2013), Moonrise Kingdom (2012), and In The Heights (2021).
✨ Things That Spark Joy
Below are some current reads or fascinations that I’ve been indulging in, so as we say, get into it.
There’s Nothing Hopeless About Being A Romantic by Bolu Babalola via Elle.
New Clothes, Same Bodies: Deconstructing Menswear’s Body Standard Issue By José Criales-Unzueta via Vogue.
The Brooklyn Public Library offers free digital library cards, ideal for anyone in a red state district with growing panic about book bans.
The wholesomeness that is Eco Sister and Emmanuel, the emu.
As the days meld into slow-churning time loops with an inescapable heat and a collapsing energy system that is Texas’ ERCOT— it’s been quite a summer. Conserving what I can at the request of the callous state government while losing power and wonky wifi, the collective vibes aren’t great. Still, taking the time to find joy or even pleasure— no matter big or small, is a resistive act that we deserve. Despite the cosplay of the working class or attempt at a socialist banger, Beyoncé was right about one thing; you won’t break my soul.