That's So Fetch
Welcome to my brain! The media apocalypse, bathroom glow up, Johnny Marzetti, plus the rest of my Weekly What
Remember when “doomscrolling” hit our general lexicon?
Not to drag you back to dark(er) times, but join me, if you will: mid-2020. Many of us spent a good portion of our days scrolling feeds filled with gloomy content and this was somehow novel; the pandemic, social unrest and state violence, plus a sprinkle of warnings the 45th president was gearing up for a political coup (turns out, this wasn’t such a wacky suggestion after all.)
Suddenly, our collective behavior had a name: doomscrolling.
Apt. I always feel better when things are neatly and appropriately labeled.
Today, for your consideration, I’d like to suggest a new term.
Do you too have topics you can’t help but fixate on, continually turning them over and over in your mind?
Mine typically aren’t (read: never) positive topics. It’s usually something I’m concerned by. My pet topics are typically things related to the internet/algorithms breaking our brains and destroying culture, the rise of AI, the destruction of our planet, threats to democracy, etc., you get the idea.
(Welcome to my brain! So glad you could join me!)
This week my hyperfixation is the approaching extinction of traditional news media and implications thereof (see also: destructive internet; threat to democracy). Just some light food for thought. (And, I have helpfully included some suggestions of content you too can consume to join me in this particular segment of despair, you’re welcome in advance!)
Is there a current term for this obsessive thinking state of despair over current events?
I’d like to suggest doomfix. Doom + fixation = doomfix.
What’s your current doomfix?
Man, I’m really doomfixing on ____ lately.
I’ve got to stop doomfixing so hard!
You say it and the people will know exactly what you mean.
Fetch may not happen, but doomfix has a chance. Who do I see about making this official?
What I’m…
Reading
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. This was a re-read and I enjoyed it so much more this time around! SO glad I revisited.
Good Material by Dolly Alderton. A wholly enjoyable reading experience.
Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin. I just started but have high hopes as I really liked Everyone In This Room Will Someday Be Dead.
Listening
Everyone But Myself by Julie Chavez. This memoir of motherhood and anxiety was so desperately relatable.
Come & Get It by Kiley Reid. A subtle, nuanced campus novel; great on audio.
Offline: “What’s Really Behind the Media Apocalypse”
Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention— and How to Think Deeply Again by Johann Hari. I’ve heard this author interviewed and I’m pretty sure I finally added his book to my list as it was recommended by someone else I heard interviewed.
Watching
Fargo, Season 5. I think we have two episodes left.
Dumb Money. Entertaining com-dram biopic about the 2021 short squeeze of GameStop stock.
Eating & Drinking
This Queso Chicken Chili is a favorite. I make it in the slowcooker.
Instant Pot Goulash, though we call this Johnny Marzetti, this might be an Ohio thing? Quick crowd pleaser!
Links + Loves
How to Save a Sad, Lonely, Angry, and Mean Society. As I currently spend an inordinate amount of time considering the impact of internet and social media on culture I really appreciated this examination of the importance of culture on humanity.
I'm Going to Miss Pitchfork, but That's Only Half the Problem. My pet doomfix of the week is the fast approaching extinction of the traditional news media.
Public Funding of Journalism is the Only Way (doomfix cont.)
I did a little refresh of our bathroom organization and purchased a few small items that made a big impact on keeping things tidy:
This hair dryer holder is the thing I never knew I needed. It allows me to feel like my hair dryer has a place while still keeping it handy.
I added this organizer to the inside of my vanity cabinet door. It has a spot for a hair dryer, though I found I like to keep mine up top (hence the wall holder), but this is great for holding my brushes, hairspray, and curling irons in one handy spot.
Two of these toothbrush holders, one large, one small. These are just the right size to corral not only toothbrushes and toothpastes (we all use different toothpastes! Are any other families like this?!) but also other miscellaneous items like my husband’s razor. I like that these come apart for easy cleaning.
We are in birthday season (my kid’s birthdays are about a month apart) and this cupcake holder was an excellent purchase.
As someone who generally appreciates and always reads acknowledgements I appreciated An Ode to Acknowledgements via LitHub.
S/O acknowledgements, I found my way to this interesting article after reading the acknowledgements of Dolly Alderton’s Good Material: When Rob Reiner’s Alter Ego (Harry) Met Nora Ephron’s Alter Ego (Sally).
ICYMI
This week’s blog posts:
That’s it for this week’s Weekly What! If you enjoy my rambles please consider subscribing, sharing, or recommending to a friend. Until next time!
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