Content Consumed: July 5

Ah, the long weekend is over. Take big sips of water, hit the gym, refill the fridge, catch up on Love Island UK. Those are my plans, at least.

In today’s edition of Content Consumed…

• Minions: Are they a symbol of the proletariat, and what’s the #Gentleminion trend? (Vox, GQ). The little, lemony, pill-shaped creatures of immortality, also known as Minions, are inspiring the nation yet again. Are they cute and likable? Or “agents of the capitalist machine, ready-made and endlessly merchandisable mascots that make the world’s destruction at the hands of mega-corporations seem adorable and fun?” a Vox contributor asks. After all, the Minions themselves are exploited as slave labor to the greatest evils of the world. But anyway, if you see Minions: Rise of Gru this weekend, don’t be shocked to see a gaggle of teen boys prepped and ready for their viewing in head-to-toe formalwear.

• College sports, at its breaking point (The Ringer). As you know, I was pretty worked up about the UCLA-USC to Big 10 news. Because it’s big news, a shocker that could potentially shatter the old regional conference model. Now the Big 10 isn’t a Midwestern league; it sprawls coast-to-coast from California to Pennsylvania. It’s all about the money, as usual. But at an individual level, this hurts these California-based athletes: amateur athletes in overlooked sports (many of them without full scholarships) will adopt travel schedules on par with pro teams. So what’s next? The Pac-12 will likely attempt to acquire Mountain West schools—and/or break apart altogether.

• Amber Rose, re-introduced (NYT). Since the peak of her fame (as a model and Kanye’s significant other from 2008–2010, or perhaps as the founder of SlutWalk and Wiz Khalifa’s wife through 2016), she’s been doing her own thing. After suffering aggressive and constant public abuse for a decade, life’s a lot quieter—but never too quiet. Amber’s written a book, hosted her own VH1 talk show, launched a successful account on OnlyFans, and signed on to an OnlyFans rival called Playboy Centerfold. Most recently, she released a hip-hop single (uncertain where that will land on the charts…). She still enjoys the fame—but not in “the role of heavily sexualized girlfriend” anymore. Good for her.

• H&M’s environmental scores were faked (Quartz). H&M, the fast-fashion giant claiming to be slightly more environmentally conscious and less sweatshop-y than the rest, apparently falsified its sustainability stats. Over the past few years, it’s tried to reform its image by committing to new emissions goals, less wasteful one-time-wears, and touting clothes labeled as a “Conscious Choice”—which were, ironically, among those displaying the inaccurate data.

Incorrect data “came about because the retailer’s website ignored negative signs in Higg Index scores. For instance, a dress with a water-use score of -20% — as in, it uses 20% more water than average — was listed on H&M’s website as using 20% less.” — Quartz

• ‘Science-washing’ on TikTok, where we’re all medical experts now (NYT). Steroids in birth control? Superfruit that makes your pee purple? And of course, trackers in COVID vaccines? Just a handful of the ridiculous phrases being spewed by people with no medical background, no facts, no stats, and all bullshit. It’s called “science-washing:” a term debunkers (aka, people with actual jobs and degrees in medicine) use to describe how pseudoscience creators use scientific-sounding language to weigh in on health issues, cherry-picking studies to support false claims or citing studies that seem relevant but really, really aren’t.

Well, that’s it for today. You are all so appreciated and loved. Enjoy the start of the short work week. See you tomorrow!

Adios,
Casey