The Weekly Roundup (week 8.7)
i made a new logo.
1. Throwing Fits: Emily Oberg, Sporty and Rich
Throwing Fits is simply the best place to hear people in the fashion industry shoot the shit and talk shop. Their interview with Emily Osberg was as equally funny as it was illuminating about her journey in building the Sporty and Rich empire. Listen here.
2. Brad Troemel: The Literalists
Another solid report from modern art critic, satirist, and multimedia artist, Brad Troemel. This report is about what Brad calls “Literalism,” which is when people wilfully misinterpret metaphors by taking them as literally as possible. literalists are able to reframe the debate around culture by casting themselves as righteous protagonists and their opponents as the embodiment of evil. This is a fascinating report so if you don’t already, follow Brad on Instagram, and watch the full breakdown of Literalism here.
3. Palace and McDonald’s Team Up for a New Collaboration
This has been quite a contentious collaboration for Palace. I’ve seen a lot of backlash: people saying they’re sellouts, the collab is lame, etc.. The inner marketer in me says it’s good and I like the synergy of brands, but I see where people are coming from as it relates to the actual clothes:
I personally loved the Times Square ad that they made; I think Mcdonald’s foray into streetwear is smart but I can admit that the clothes are pretty low-effort. Mark Boutellier had a few unkind words for the drop. Hit or miss? Let me know in the comments. Who am I kidding, no one comments on these. Read the Highsnobiety write-up here.
4. Prologue to an Anti-Therapeutic, Anti-Affirmation Movement
This was an incredible essay on therapy culture and the modern obsession with trauma.
I think there's gathering dissatisfaction with a common set of tropes regarding personal agency and mental health. In particular, I think that the dominance of the therapeutic assumption in American life, and the role of affirmation within it, will be challenged. Currently, an inescapable American cultural mode, particularly among the educated, is one of mandatory therapeutic maximalism and an attendant tyranny of affirmation.