Hi pals! We’re back after a little sick leave last week but we’re raring to dissect some pop culture and internet news.
After a catch-up, we debrief over Rebel Wilson’s kind of creepy TikTok videos. Are they part of a conspiracy theory or simply a Gen X using the app differently?
Next, if you’ve been on TikTok this week, you’ve probably heard of West Elm Caleb. The furniture designer at West Elm went viral this week after a slew of women realised he was a serial dater. But was the subsequent doxxing, meme-ifying and releasing personal info too far?
In this segment, we reference this VICE piece titled ‘'West Elm Caleb' Is Just Some Guy’ by Gita Jackson, Stop Canceling Normal People Who Go Viral by Rebecca Jennings for Vox and In Defence of West Elm Caleb by Vanessa Hsieh for iD.
Maggie also reads out a section from her Refinery29 article Why We’re So Enthralled By TikTok’s ‘Couch Guy’, According To A Couples Therapist.
On Australian shores, influencer Jadé Tuncdoruk (Tunchy) is in hot water after calling out a small business and demanding a refund on unused accommodation. By weaponising her followers to get what she wants we ask, when do influencers go too far? And is the piling on from private businesses and accounts like Celeb Spell Check ‘getting back’ or simply a brutal back and forth that hurts everyone involved?
In this piece we reference a Pedestrian piece by Sweeney Preston titled Jadé Tunchy Has Apologised For Racially Cooked Comments She Made About Uber Eats Drivers. As well as Maggie’s piece for MTV Australia titled The Problem With Celeb Spellcheck.
Two recs each to make up for lost time! Jas recommends the film Spencer starring Kristen Stewart as well as the Twilight podcast The Big Hit Show. Maggie recommends the book, Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez as well as the TV show Love Me on Binge.
This week marks Invasion Day, a day of mourning and a reminder that the effects of colonisation continue today.
We ask you to continue to listen to First Nations voices, to learn from our Traditional Owners, and to want to do better. If you’re in the position to, we urge you to Pay The Rent. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
Chat next week. xo
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