Welcome to the second installment of The Month, a digital round-table discussion (read: GChat) in which the other Well Spent writers and I talk about our most favorite and least favorite things from the last 30 days. Feel free to share your most and least favorite things in the comments.
Brad
Alright, Michael went last last time, so he should go first this time.
Michael
Alright. So, mine is a two-fer.
Brad
hit us
Nick
drop it like it’s hot
Michael
It’s Jon Stewart tearing up all the coverage on MH370. This, in a nutshell, is what I loved and hated this month:
Brad
What happens in the clip for those who haven’t seen it?
Michael
It’s Stewart at his best. He breaks down CNN and Fox News’ attempt to capitalize on the coverage. I loved Stewart’s rant and hated CNN’s coverage. It was just annoying, really. I mean the theories and all. Like this isn’t fucking True Detective.
Brad
What’s the current prevailing theory? I haven’t been paying attention to the coverage
Jake
the plane crashed in the ocean. the end
Nick
yeah, there were like 75 pieces found in the ocean or some shit. its unfortunate we talk about it like that. shows how the media has desensitized us
Michael
This is true.
Brad
Yeah, that’s a lot of life lost. Very sad
Nick
“god we’re still talking about a plane crash, get over it America!” that’s just awful
Brad
Seriously
Nick
Then again, CNN was trying to explain what an airplane was, for Christ’s sake.
Jake
CNN is a fucking embarrassment. but we’re all to blame (America that is)
Nick
bleh, that’s too easy of a cop out
Jake
is it though Nick? by and large American TV is dictated by ratings. and CLEARLY sensational TV drives higher ratings
Nick
no, it’s accurate, especially since CNN’s ratings are through the roof because of the coverage.
Jake
yea they doubled
Nick
but god it’s just awful for a reputable news site to sink so low. and i’m using “reputable” very loosely
Jake
new(s)
Brad
Is there even any reputable news on TV anymore?
Jake
Al Jazerra!
Nick
local
Jake
lol have you seen local news lately
Nick
i was being facetious
Jake
“Your sink might be killing you, check back at 6 to find out just how killer your pipes are.”
Brad
Ha! Christine, want to go next?
Christine
okay. the thing i hate is Gwyneth Paltrow announcing her divorce on Goop. because she’s annoying
Nick
lol yea who the fuck does that? let TMZ announce it like a functional celebrity smh
Brad
what was the term she used instead of divorce?
Christine
conscious uncoupling
Nick Grant
I just vomited in my mouth
Brad
She’s such an easy target, I almost don’t want to hate her.
Christine
exactly
Brad
but then she does something like this and makes it almost impossible not to
Jake
I like her. she just exists in a total bubble of celebrity. she’s the ultimate sheltered celeb imo
Brad
i agree about the bubble. but it’s how much she throws her lack of self awareness in your face that makes her maddening
Jake
yeah but Goop is mad successful (not to play devil’s advocate here)
Nick
oh yea Jake cuz u would NEVER do that
Jake
and so there’s a receptive audience of followers that perpetuate her own celebrinsanity
Brad
my impression is that most people hate-read her site
Christine
i hate how she makes her life look so attainable. because it’s not. as a woman, she’s infuriating. her whole life is not sustainable for the average working mom. and yes, in snippets it’s wise advice. but as a whole in your face lifestyle it’s too much. she never eases up or breathes.
Jake
It must be nice to afford 10 dollar juices and $100+ vegan lunches all the time
Christine
yup, and 2 hour workouts with a private trainer every day. daily chinese herbal tea that costs $10 a pouch. etc etc. but beyond the price, it’s the amount of time and brain power it requires to think about all these things. she says she’s an attentive mother and wife, but how can she be when she’s thinking about allll those things all the time? it’s very self involved, but hidden behind “being for my family!” anyway, what i love is the preview for this new book “the outsiders” from gestalten.
Jake
this is cool. did kinfolk sponsor it?
Nick
i was just reading that article this morning. i’m not a big outdoorsy person because: black ppl, but I liked the thought of this
Christine
i’m from vermont so enough said
Jake
haha. it’s a smart idea. I fear what it perpetuates. but I like the idea
Nick
what do you mean?
Jake
the issue I have with gentleman camper stuff is that the source is always amazing / admirable but it tends to get so watered down once it’s received by the masses. and yes we exist in a world in which commodification is key. but I think it’s wrong to extract all utility and only favor aesthetics. so the people making these products might be living that life and really using the items, but I hate the over fetishization of that stuff
Christine
jake, you put that perfectly. and that’s exactly my fear as well. but i do appreciate it for my own personal interest i suppose
Brad
Good stuff C. Jake, do you want to go?
Jake
sure I’ll go. I’ll start with my negative cause I don’t wanna focus a lot of time on it. but my negative is kickstarter. I’m done. I cannot take it anymore. I cannot receive another boilerplate email about some generic “made in Americuh” product that’s gonna somehow revolutionize the game. it all reads like a scam. and they’re all clones
Nick
yea it’s grown to a point where it isn’t valuable anymore
Jake
and they do nothing to better this industry. like the first 10 or so brands that did it, cool. but now it’s actually hurting the clothing industry. it’s a non viable, non sustainable market that damages the value of manufacturing
Nick
it’s the MySpace of crowdsourcing
Jake
that’s great
Brad
40% of kickstarter emails – slim wallets
20% – “revolutionary” denim
20% – wood accessories
20% – silly socks
Christine
i agree, i’m really unsure of its benefit at this point
Jake
it’s a great way to waste your money on a company that won’t be around in 6 months!
Brad
the worst is getting KS emails from a 3rd party PR firm
Jake
YES!
Brad
if you can afford the firm, you shouldn’t be using KS
Nick
yea that’s just egregious
Jake
yup. ok moving along to my positive
Brad
jake being positive about something – cherish this moment friends
Jake
it’s actually a person
Nick
FINALLY, the recognition I deserve
Jake
and a man I’m proud to call my friend
Nick
oh wait, that’s not me
Jake
Mr. Brry Bnds
Nick
AMARDEEEEEP
Jake
I wish more people were like Amardeep in this world. seriously
Nick
dude is a peach
Jake
not only is he incredibly kind, but he places his creativity and passions above all else. he isn’t willing to sacrifice just to make money, and so it’s led to the creation of some really smart and innovative products and projects. such as his “good morning new york let’s get this money” patches, his plant designs, his shirts.
Nick
his sweatpant game crazy too
Jake
I wish more people adopted his approach. he’s just slowplaying things and he ignores any outside pressures to just do what he loves. not to gush.
Brad
little late for that
Jake
but I dislike a lotta things
Brad
yes you do
Jake
but when I like something, I really like it. and I really like Deep’s work right now. #endrant
Brad
cool. nick?
Nick
ok, i will also start with my hate, even though it’s quite laughable. HSBC Bank did a study on banking with young, urban males, and named them “YUMs”
Jake
YUMMIES BRO
Nick
so now they’re trying to get that going
Brad
YUM LIFE
Nick
and they compared them to the “metro-sexual” movement 10-15 years ago. I understand its a bank and they’re generalizing on an audience they aren’t quite familiar with, but as a YUM, I am insulted
Jake
Brad
jake, do you have a stockpile of funny images / gifs, or are you just really good at google image searches?
Nick
he’s really fast at google searches. i’ve witnessed it.
Jake
I’ve learned that you have to search what you’re not looking for. It’s a risk, but sometimes it pays.
Nick
LOL. anyways, fuck HSBC cuz I ain’t no yummy. and i have two quick loves I want to talk about. 1) This past weekend was the best weekend of basketball I have ever experienced, and as a former basketball player, that is saying a lot, I think
Jake
ah yea, that’s a good one
Nick
it just proves how much better the college game is than the pros
Jake
AGREED
Nick
there’s zero argument. my other love is between two ferns with President Obama, even though i know it was just a marketing ploy for healthcare.gov
Brad
Wow, Nick your love could not be a better segway for my hate, but go ahead and finish
Nick
i thought the interview was funny even though it was scripted. and it did what it needed to do in getting people to the site. i’m not going to delve into the site itself or what it portrays, but yea
Brad
and it’s always a delight watching zachy g
Nick
when he said “how does it feel to be the last black president” I just about shit myself
Brad
he’s a national treasure
Nick
last of a dying breed. anyways, that’s all I got
Brad
cool. so then, my hate: obamacare
Jake
oh god
Nick
oh god
Jake
BARACK ODRAMA
Brad
i broke my hand on friday
Nick
oh ouch
Jake
oh damn, sorry. blogging too hard?
Nick
lololololol
Jake
“blogger related injury”
Brad
when obamacare kicked in, my monthly insurance premium went up over $100, while the quality of my care went significantly down. i used to be able to go to a doctor five min from me, but i had to drive 45 min to go somewhere covered by my new plan when my hand broke
Nick
is that because you are a normally healthy white male? honest question
Brad
nick, that’s entirely possible. and don’t get me wrong, i think the intentions behind obamacare were good, and i think the way it benefits a certain segment of the society is a great thing. however, forcing every american to have insurance, without actually fixing the very broken insurance system is no good. it makes no sense that I’m paying hundreds of dollars every month, but still have a financially crippling deductible.
Brad
im playing to an empty room here, huh?
Nick
no, i’m reading. I just don’t have anything to add, unfortunately
Brad
that’s fine. I’ll move on. my like this month is the Lose It! app. after an overlong winter filled with overeating and over drinking, it’s a big help for the t-shirt weather ahead
Jake
ah brad are you getting fit?!
Brad
crack jokes now, youngblood, but your metabolism will slow down too one day. you’re not going to be 22 forever
Nick
lol my metabolism is shit these days, and I’m 29
Brad
mine started slipping at 27. such a mindfuck when it happens
Jake
hey I exercise daily (pause)
Brad
yeah, running your mouth
Jake
WOWOWOWOW THE CANNONS
Nick
ill check out this lose it! app tho I will probably never act on it
Brad
it’s actually pretty cool nick. and I’m saying that as someone who’s not a fitness guy at all. anyway, that’s all I got. you can all go back to your normal lives now.
