The Pop Culture Cold Brew is a collection of pop culture adjacency news that’s sincerely piqued our interest with frivolous diversions during these wildly unprecedented times but without the celebrity worship culture.
This week, we dive into the correlation between the past and present— in the time of excess & political corruption of the Gilded Age, redux. It’s been a while but get back into it below.
The living costs have reached more exorbitant and concerning levels than my previous teachers expressed about Social Security in middle and later high school. As a Millennial, being a part of the first official online generation in a new, more digital world was promising and exciting. Except, the promise of tomorrow was forever changed, and naiveté began to slowly fade when Columbine set forth a dangerous precedence— one that continues to haunt America within the echo chamber until worthwhile leaders in Congress exist.
My fascination with pop culture, current events, and politics was evident as I still remember the doomsday level of preparation, even the lunacy of the anti-climatic Y2K bug during the New Year that was welcomed by supposed adults who knew better. Except they were bulk-buying goods under the guise of survivalists, and I remember thinking even then how nuts and easily scared adults panic at sensationalized news.
The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous of the 1980s inflated into coveting the affluent of the 2000s, with a global collective yearning for extravagance. MTV and VH1 aired influential shows like Cribs and The Fabulous Life Of... with plenty of champagne wishes and caviar dreams as flashy standard ways of living became a marketable societal norm; everything was worth selling as Americans were living way above their means. The Bling Ring is an example of the era’s materialistic greed leading to criminality and fame but, moreover, white privilege. Psychologists found that materialistic values can stem from early insecurities, and with such financial instability in those years, it makes complete sense as Americans were buying surplus to forget. Or perhaps to feel anything at all.
Those were funhouse smoke and mirrors in disguise. Luxury was rampant as personalities of all types became infamous and a dime a dozen with reality show nonsense. Sparkling charisma and even intelligence need not apply; anyone could achieve Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of infamy. Except to deny the past is to deny oneself— of course, I watched plenty of reality trash television. It was the 2000s. The flexibility of life is forever grey, as the flipside of Gatsby-level decadence was the horrific war crimes and political profiting that were ongoing and later glossed over— i.e., the late but not great Senator Dianne Feinstein or former VP Dick Cheney. Corruption and deregulation were occurring before our eyes, and the fall of Enron was simply a peek behind the curtain of crony capitalism.
I was made to believe the most atrocious things were occurring all around, yet hindsight is I was safe in my Texas bubble throughout the 2000s. Still, public safety was constantly reportedly at risk for all Americans and our assumed freedom. Meanwhile, the “anti-American” ploys were hostile if anyone dared to speak otherwise about the Middle East despite lacking major context. Suffice it to say, we took it on the chin with blind rage in the 2000s, and political fury continued years after with pro-America rhetoric that was in full force. Working precisely as the programmed media intends.
My longtime fascination with politics served me well as I still remember watching the endless media coverage with now obvious manipulations like the Bush administration estimating a 50 to 60-billion-dollar war as the public was sold on ‘retaliation.’ Only we didn’t foresee the overzealousness of the Bush Administration continuing the legacy of Bush Sr.’s previous war crimes in the Middle East, and our relentless military spent 3 trillion dollars on the invasion of Iraq. Craving our parents’ validation like so many of us— more later— Bush Jr. was like the real-life Leslie Jordan bit “Daddy! Daddy! Watch me twirl. Daddy!” except pathetically with Cheney’s urgency. Deconstructing that previous propaganda is realizing and accepting how incredibly anti-Muslim and 100% pro-racist this era initiated.
The ‘US’ and ‘THEM’ vitriol engrained into my adolescent brain seems like a fever dream in retrospect, but post-9/11— America was manufacturing militarism and fear in The War on Terror of the 2000s. The public unknowingly lived taking in that poison. Pro-America propaganda surged as Hollywood continued extending its militant ties as a longtime participant in the propaganda machine, the most obvious and latest being the big money machine that is the MCU.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a slithery beast that extended its tentacles with 2009’s Iron Man debut— I say that as a kid who grew up with Marvel and watched X-Men: The Animated Series, adoring the proletariat Peter Parker as Spider-Man. It is what it is since whenever the American military could portray a glittering light; Pentagon money will be lent as script collaboration will occur— like throughout the Iron Man franchise. However, Marvel isn’t the only big-name Hollywood studio with the U.S. Department of Defense funding some bills— Columbia Pictures’ Black Hawk Down, Paramount’s Top Gun (also Top Gun Maverick), and MGM’s Red Dawn (2012), to name a few. 1984’s Top Gun saw a reported increase of “a large amount of public awareness to the Navy”— this is government talk for an uptick in naval recruitment. Hollywood’s umbrella reach of pop culture is a goldmine for the American military entertainment complex.
That was merely the beginning of living through those rickety times of the noughties as neo-McCarthyism restoked intolerance and fearmongering with hearsay. Politicians lobby and profit through their collusion while leading the distressed and credulous public toward a ‘unifying America,’ their tricks and power plays are more evident over time— with their cheap and flimsy band-aids for American citizens as hate and racism run amok.
Unlearning what America sold to the public and learning the truth about the major overstepping by the U.S. isn’t just another day. I recall the unforgettable Global Financial Crises during the height of indie sleaze— what a crushing yet incredible time to be young, dumb, wild, and supposedly free in adulthood. Sadly, I was too periphery to ever have a party or rebellious phase. I was cheerleading for Occupy Wall Street but too removed to grasp the power of the movement.
Existing through the propaganda war machine that was the invasion of Iraq was surreal as a young adolescent girl already having grown responsibilities; I thought I had it somewhat figured out, only to experience a mere morsel of life’s harshness. My love for reading and quench for education helped me pay attention all these years, thinking back now. Then vs. now is fascinating and inverting— now living through another housing crisis and inflating flux as politicians continue to manipulate, even blatantly, lie toward the global conscience as the war machine gains power. Senseless tragedies have only frighteningly multiplied since, with another harrowing rise in domestic terrorism, including white nationalists and Nazis becoming shameless rather than hiding in indignity. Similarly, governments that purposefully misinform as agencies cultivate journalists to spread fictitious stories and invalidating lies are a far bigger threat to American democracy, yet virtually go undetected— until old-school propaganda continues to meet the bolder new generations.
The current echoing sign of the times felt like a rotating 360, a full circle within a foggy dream, so when my father presented me with an opportunity, I seized the time for a break as a grown woman who was essentially raised on the internet desperately deserves. Even the universe seemingly had my back with the unexpected downtime I craved. Choosing to step away from previous work to delve into a new interim position as a newly appointed nepo baby was unexpected yet welcome on all accounts. In the downtime, I began to re-watch Laguna Beach and The Hills, both of which I hadn’t seen since my youthful adolescence when I consumed entirely too much pop culture. I realized I’d never seen their entirety, although I presently understand why. A once familiar comfort watch of my misspent youth was the perfect diverting reversion. Compelling looking back now, during my sabbatical, I revisited the embarrassing gratification of my youth that incidentally triggered a metaphorical time warp since working with my father in close quarters was briefly living between parallel worlds— that of adult and child. Even for someone well into her thirties, it’s a haze that can baffle while quickly undermining an inner child to feel lost, emotionally abandoned, or mostly left angrily screaming into the void of adultness. Somehow, I’ve always been all of the above.
Finding a healthy balance of assertiveness over my former people-pleasing ways of a reformed “good kid,” I still had some slipping moments of reverting to appease my present mellow and unbeknownst father— a vast improvement from the disciplinary man who yelled at me that I read too much during a heated discussion turned argument only a few years ago. I found the sudden downtime refreshing yet overwhelming until I found a balanced footing, only to take some emotional missteps as life grounds me with annoying yet maturing perspectives.
Fucking c’est la vie. My dad’s progressed and can openly talk without condemning or lecturing, a far cry from the guy who used to yell at me at the kitchen table for not understanding his breakdown of my assigned math homework. Sternness is plainly who my father is, and his delivery isn’t intentional, and I should know as I’ve inherited his frustration with patience. He’s never understood my sensitivity, but then again, I never understood his harshness. Hence, my continuous flirting with nostalgia led to backsliding into the previous emotionally unstable child, looking for guidance in my newest reluctant role. Thus, in lieu of my Youthquake absence, I hit writer’s block hard with my regression sessions. Proving that true healing isn’t temporary as we pass through the challenges with a little more ease each time as secure adults who know better.
Even with mature hindsight, my inner child can often feel vulnerable. Although I now have the guarded protection of a woman in the know, this doesn’t mean I won’t dramatically whine about or during— I am my mother’s daughter, a grumbling and wary survivor.
Despite my sensitivity being weaponized against me growing up, I’ve harnessed the power of my softness while stealthily embracing my razor-sharp edges when I have to keep daggers ready. Similar to many other Generation Y or Millennials, we were raised with projected entitlement and presumed numbness. Called too sensitive or indulgent, we did our best in escapism and coping techniques. Even getting called spoiled or reprimanded and branded as participation trophy kids, yet whose Boomer/older Gen X parents were the crotchety ones making those demands? While it certainly wasn’t my immigrant parents but the parents of my mostly upper-middle class or rich white peers.
My retreat into the past has facilitated an unsuspecting time warp that helped me remember the beguiling facade of that propagandist era of my adolescence. Now, facing the results of what’s been done, our government doubles down to learn nothing. Sure, the 2000s were scintillating, but a deflecting mess where youth culture was exploited and preyed upon— unwittingly embracing the sexualizing of youth culture despite being children. We foolishly adored the idea of being grown; we didn’t expect to be groomed. Spiking a creepy growing obsession with purity and virginity, which is how misogyny grew fervently while masked in rhinestones.
Desensitizing young girls only breaks them down with hateful rhetoric; the 2000s had plenty of either diet culture or slut shaming, even both. The era was majorly toxic— Tyra Banks’ America’s Next Top Model and any glossy celebrity tabloid can attest. Feeding off of the rising indifference as consumerism distracted and media manipulation kept relevant matters shushed or focused elsewhere— keeping citizens outraged with trivialities are purposeful tactics known as distraction in the government propaganda playbook. Lacking meaningful intent, like dialogue, is another calculated diversion to keep public attention away from important issues— a purposeful mask of corruption set forth a rippling precedence ingrained in American culture today.
Recycling trends always boomerang, and trend forecasting has already foretold the return of the noughties for a while now—they blissfully left out the political unrest. Significantly, the romanticism of the 2000s reigns among insatiable generations charmed by Y2K aesthetics. Albeit, the hegemony of youth-inspired popular culture has shifted from my previous time. Kids are growing rapidly, as every generation says of the one before; the difference is modern technology.
Technology is an added distraction as oblivious parental eyes chastise them for the same blue light addiction. Being wise beyond your years rather than simply clever shouldn’t be thrust onto kids longing for connection rather than digital overstimulation. Kids are highly attuned even when we think they’re not. My exposure to observing my nieces and nephews ranged from toddler to adolescent ages— kids are sweet, oh-so dastardly, and astute as fuck. We’re witnessing a more discerning collective led by younger generations intermixed with previous ones with nothing to lose. Powerful awareness can do wonders that can move mountains— mountains that were previously and deliberately obstructed by other generations profiting from demise.
Humanity is failing, as conglomerates and co. are plenty ready and comfortable with AI. We’ve already tuned out of listening to the earth and each other. Generally, most ignore true spiritual knowledge as we battle comprehension and identity crises while picking each other apart. With so many resources and ecosystems depleting, we’re taking faster than resupplying. Indeed, even activism became warped by greed and manipulation— hired actors trying to detour where they could or shut out by needy validation for master engagement baiters. However, with a new youth collective, there’s been more and more front-line crusaders giving an actual damn about changing the current world we don’t have to know for certain.
American institutions have dwindling moral decency as countless social institutions crumble or lack cultural capabilities, further discouraging youth engagement— especially within predominately marginalized groups. Leaving disarmed groups and already susceptible generations of perpetual systemic issues to rationalize the shortcomings. Our rights are being stripped or overturned, reminding us of what they can do as the public is bulldozed or exhausted— a tactic of meaningless matter created for a targeted audience to lose hope or give up. Acknowledging the bare minimum can unite a common goal and give the future a voice— rather than gaslighting then speaking for them.
To challenge or accept prior ideals— that’s the question. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are truly incendiary to watch as their unwavering drive for change, working alongside other generations for a political awakening or re-imagining. Collective action is commanding, as we saw the global mobilization during the Arab Uprising and Gezi Park protests on social media. Then #BlackLivesMatter and #NoBanNoWall further galvanized a youth movement online after racist actions were unjustly and murderously expressed. The pandemic forever changed it all.
Protesting scared and uplifted the world while governments saw people united— that’s more power than they could ever buy— protesting is forever a human right. So, platforms that help ignite citizen engagement en masse cannot be stopped. No matter how much El*n tries to subvert or destroy Twitter like Zuck’s information-action ratio, Facebook. Community organizing will always continue to march on as we learn to fight as activists instead of pissed-off consumers.
Intergenerational warfare has met its match with an activated and united youth of all intersects that go apeshit for deep-diving online research. Social media is helping educate a united youth to unlearn and learn what America is so ashamed of yet continues. Respectfully, we are not our ancestors. We’re a new class of warriors and built mighty differently, as we should also be water protectors and land defenders. The time parallels of twenty years and beyond are clear— companies and giant monopolies bending the rules along with political corruption and 1% elites dominating as a ruling class over the vast global inequality. Snapping out of the parallel haze is recalling the recycling propaganda with new eyes. Seeing how America and the world vilified the Middle East by cultivating Islamophobia or Muslim beliefs and ideology, even the people are a mass threat and inherent enemies. Although the U.S. timing with VP Kamala Harris on television with a strategic peace offering in an effort “to combat a surge of hate in America,” as if they didn’t have a hand in stoking the flames of hate only to want more money for military or police and the policing of surveillance.
Currently, Islamophobia and Antisemitism are running rampant, forgetting how both are deeply rooted in white supremacy— hate fuels white nationalism, which further attempts to dehumanize. Which is the ultimate goal: dehumanize us all, not under the guise of. Except, generations continue to have access to online and specifically social media. Social media is presently giving us insight into factual, in real-time, atrocities we’ve only read about in history books— before the bans and whitewashing. Before obstructions were cleverly utilized, technological evolution ushered in a new dawn. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised as the revolution will be broadcast on social media, proving only that previous generations that have been obstructed or buried will only seed change and growth.
To further facilitate the time parallels, below is a playlist that I’ve been recently indexing with gusto. I began to work in retail in the aughts of 2006-2009 at Old Navy, beginning with part-time and eventually working my way to Pricing Manager. This mirroring chaotic time easily transported me back to the retail company’s warehouse aesthetic— and if you’ve ever been or remember the ads to Gap or Old Navy during the 2000s, you’d be hit in the face with an array of bangers— past and present. Never having the time or patience, I procrastinated reconstructing the store-mandated music CDs that were sent by GAP Inc. that I somehow remember. Recreating the notorious Old Navy curated mixes of yesteryear has been a musical quest with the help of past retail co-workers and homies from a past life. The bonus is no hidden digital viruses or trojan horses to download— unlike when I ruined the family computer when I used LimeWire during the golden age of the iPod.
For Apple Music, HERE.
The 2000s have been rigorously compared to the Mark Twain-appointed 19th Century Gilded Age, with political corruption and gross displays of materialism— little did we know what the 2020s would later offer in excess, giving us the Gilded Age remix. So, even if my nebulous memories aren’t always reliable due to my previous coping mechanism of avoidant detachment paired with my social anxiety that offers an unstable paradox— or that, over time, memories become unreliable due to forgetting and living on. Fortunately, the advantage of technological evolution is that newer and previous generations have resources at their fingertips, like neat little assigned military pocket knives with the incredible power of the internet. So, previous American turbulent times are well-documented and archived online. Reckoning with the past, no matter how dark or insidious, can liberate in unexpected ways. Indeed, peeling back layers can be intimidating as time doesn’t always heal. However, social intelligence and self-liberation come in many radical forms as keys to our genesis.
Securing hope can reinvigorate or give promise; grounding that hope in honesty and reality is the key. Versus using it as nothing more than merely an illusion— take Robert Oppenheimer. His political ambivalence and even misguided hope were weaponized due to his indifference and desire for some kind of hopeful future. He only knew of his hope to want to change the course of the war, but instead, good ol’ Oppie ended up altering the entire course of human history.
Hope can be a beautiful warmth that keeps our beating hearts figuratively gleaming. It’s also lost or destroyed. Even destructing, particularly with amoral minds pulling at invisible strings; hence, hope can be quite dangerous with hegemonic domination. As a society, we forget that the easiest way we’re collectively picked apart with hatred and fear-mongering is through race. Fracturing and dissecting with hatred and fear is the ultimate tool of a militant government as the U.S. excels and even prides itself in internally combusting over citizen solidarity. Race is an easily visible difference, along with gender, as the main way of organizing humans into categories of superiority and inferiority. Society has assisted in fueling hate throughout human history, one that we each are a part of and helped mold its shape. Thus, we must be proactively anti-racist and anti-capitalist like so many activists warned us (Fred Hampton, Huey P. Newton, Kwame Ture, Angela Davis, and Malcolm X— to name a few).
Calling out white supremacy and its proximity of white privilege as a white Latinx that I am is a crumb of the bare minimum I can do, as words have always been my sword and honesty my sheath. Chairman Fred Hampton passionately expressed how you can jail a revolutionary, but you can never jail a revolution— you can jail a liberator, but not liberation. After all, if we’re so concerned about our freedom and its concept, why don’t we seem to mind the price of power it comes with or the cost of others’ human oppression with aimed-sanctioned genocide and a lack of morality? Liberation is for all. Mine, as well as yours, as we stand alongside in solidarity, as no blood is purer than another.
As we each live through our mind’s eye, we forget that it can blur the separable lines between reality and our involved roles. This is especially confusing or misleading when our stewed emotions or thoughts are wrong and not ready to make nice— but what are repressed emotions, if not manifested anxieties elsewhere? So, if we don’t do our inner work and continue bottling emotions, our bodies experience emotional suppression through physical ailments. Or just as life also finds peculiar ways to rechallenge our perspectives through life breakdowns or eruptions. We are but humble humans who are not superior to another or the earth, nor should we be careless of the world as we’re a tiny but fierce microcosm of it— which is why living and learning from our past is crucial for collective evolution; the past can disarm and reveal as ideas will always be shatterproof and live on regardless. My sentiments are akin to James Baldwin; I can’t lead a movement— but I can fuck up your mind.
Con Amor,
Naomi x