Ugh...that Biore ad is just the absolute bottom. In what universe do blackheads and mourning the dead or dealing with existential crises have anything in common?!? It’s the “Calgon take me away” idea of the 70’s writ perverse but hey, at least a bath is legit temporary self care. Since I don’t TikTok at all, or Instagram (much beyond friends feeds) I’m always floored reading your missives on the absolute (and dangerous!) drivel offered up by influencers and their sponsors, especially. It’s such a dirty business. Keep up your wonderful exposés Jessica!!
Jessica, I am just very, very, very happy that Martha Stewart's SI cover led me to your Substack and I'm sure you know that Slate's Cultural Gabfest praised you to the skies this week.
I loved your comments in the “how to stop hating your face” piece, it’s unfortunate the author went on to suggest Botox 🙃 I’ve struggled with hating my face the last 5-7 years (as a teenager and in my early twenties I liked my face but struggled with my body). I wish the article would have suggested abandoning social media - I’ve been mostly off IG for two years and I feel like it’s radically realigned the way I see myself!! No cosmetic interventions needed!
Reminds me of when people asked Quinta Brunson to write an episode about school shooting on Abbott Elementary after Ulvade. This, and that Biore ad, is some serious cognitive dissonance. Such dissonance allows everyone to keep living as is, not having to grasp the reality of the horror that we are actually living in. It’s a way to sorta make it all pretend, and why not? The influencer above isn’t showcasing a real life. Instagram isn’t. It’s all connected to how u real we present and read the real world through entertainment/social media now. What’s real? Not surpised, sadly.
I guess these companies think there is no such thing as bad PR but even a cynic like myself is shocked by this lack of foresight. Wow. So wrong to turn a tragedy like this into a marketing opportunity on so many levels.
That Bioré Pore Strip School Shooting Ad
Ugh...that Biore ad is just the absolute bottom. In what universe do blackheads and mourning the dead or dealing with existential crises have anything in common?!? It’s the “Calgon take me away” idea of the 70’s writ perverse but hey, at least a bath is legit temporary self care. Since I don’t TikTok at all, or Instagram (much beyond friends feeds) I’m always floored reading your missives on the absolute (and dangerous!) drivel offered up by influencers and their sponsors, especially. It’s such a dirty business. Keep up your wonderful exposés Jessica!!
Jessica, I am just very, very, very happy that Martha Stewart's SI cover led me to your Substack and I'm sure you know that Slate's Cultural Gabfest praised you to the skies this week.
I loved your comments in the “how to stop hating your face” piece, it’s unfortunate the author went on to suggest Botox 🙃 I’ve struggled with hating my face the last 5-7 years (as a teenager and in my early twenties I liked my face but struggled with my body). I wish the article would have suggested abandoning social media - I’ve been mostly off IG for two years and I feel like it’s radically realigned the way I see myself!! No cosmetic interventions needed!
New low...until the next one. And a shudder to think what that might be. xo
Reminds me of when people asked Quinta Brunson to write an episode about school shooting on Abbott Elementary after Ulvade. This, and that Biore ad, is some serious cognitive dissonance. Such dissonance allows everyone to keep living as is, not having to grasp the reality of the horror that we are actually living in. It’s a way to sorta make it all pretend, and why not? The influencer above isn’t showcasing a real life. Instagram isn’t. It’s all connected to how u real we present and read the real world through entertainment/social media now. What’s real? Not surpised, sadly.
I desperately need you to write a book
I guess these companies think there is no such thing as bad PR but even a cynic like myself is shocked by this lack of foresight. Wow. So wrong to turn a tragedy like this into a marketing opportunity on so many levels.
I do too. Child of the 60’s. Omg some of the marketing we were subject to as kids is…startling, at best, right?
Love your insight always!!