We Uncovered A Worldwide Rumour
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Holy shit, so yesterday - after I shared what I thought was a very original covid story about the people being called out over the supermarket loudspeaker - it turns out THIS STORY HAS LITERALLY BEEN TOLD AROUND THE WORLD IN DIFFERENT VERSIONS. LOOK AT THE RESPONSES I GOT YESTERDAY:
And then on Instagram:
So there are a few things that might have happened here. It could be a story that happened once and everyone found it hilarious so they spread it around. It could have never have happened at all and someone just made it up and posted it on Facebook. Or, the same thing COULD ACTUALLY BE HAPPENING EVERYWHERE. Either way I want to get to the bottom of it, and I've been laughing about it all day.
Bel Chimes In: On validation
Johnny Depp joins TikTok because that's exactly what we need right now
The Multifarious Multiplexity of Taika Waititi
USB-C will be mandatory for phones sold in the EU ‘by autumn 2024’
‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Being Written as the Final Season, Says Brett Goldstein
Bel Chimes In: On validation. Tell the people what they need to hear
This section is written by my crush, the refreshing-as-a-house-chardonnay-on-a-steamy-day, Bel Hawkins. You should check out more of her beautiful words here.
This week, something very simple and something cute that like, Oprah might say, but also something Luce and I talk about all the time so it felt right that we talk about it here.
It’s the importance of validation. Are you giving it? Are you getting it? We need it to go forward in our lives, to feel good about ourselves, and to feel our good choices echo around us.
The best kind is a compliment on intangible (untouchable) things like appreciating the way someone does something or makes you feel. Once, in a bar, a stranger came up to me and grabbed my hands and with watery eyes thanked me for writing a particular poem about a particular thing. That sounds weird and vain but it’s not and the lesson here is I think I’ll remember that moment forever, and here I am now with my quill telling YOU about it.
The thing is, we’re also addicted to validation! If it comes from a good source and is genuine it's a good thing! If it's something we're seeking for superficial things (like hot pics on Instagram or feeling good from things that aren't actually good) it generally doesn't do its long term job.
Validation works best when you think of it like a circle (mm yes, very Julia Roberts Eat Pray Love vibes here but it's Thursday and we love it regardless) - you send positive, good validation out, it comes back to you, you lift each other up like a helium balloon, and the cycle continues.
I guess you could say it helps you phoenix too — and we all know how important THAT is.
Til next week! x
Johnny Depp joins TikTok because that's exactly what we need right now
Johnny Depp has joined TikTok and his first video is a compilation of fans outside the courtroom mixed with him playing on stage in his band?? It's framed as a thank you to his "treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters." Here's what the rest of the caption said:
"We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared. And now, we will all move forward together. You are, as always, my employers and once again I am whittled down to no way to say thank you, other than just by saying thank you. So, thank you. My love & respect, JD"
Here's the video, but you can hear all of me and Liv's extensive thoughts on it on this weeks episode of Culture Vulture.
Liam Payneful & The Johnny/ Amber Verdict
It's a big week to be hosting a pop culture podcast! We start off with a discussion about Liam Payne's chaotic interview with Logan Paul, before the main event: part two of our 'making sense of Johnny and Amber' series. We talk about the media's coverage of the trial, how this could impact the #MeToo movement, and what we (as a society) should all learn from this. Listen wherever you get your pods!
📚Shit You Should Read About📚
Every ✨SYSCA Supporter✨ gets access to our bumper book list as soon as you sign up! It's all the books we loved, hated, and the books that changed us.
What supporters are saying about the book list:
Louise: "Omg there are so many books and little write-ups! I was literally expecting a list (which would have been totally cool) 🥺 but you guyssss 💕
Taylor: "So excited to watch this list grow. From one book lover to another, thank you for this and everything else you do!"
Jessi: "Already loaded three recs onto my Kindle so safe to say early on that this perk is the move. 😍"
🎶SYSCA Playlists🎶
If you’re a monthly or annual ✨SYSCA Supporter✨ then we are opening up our souls to you and gifting you some 🎶playlists🎶
What supporters are saying about the playlists:
Michelle: “Luuucee anybody with Can’t Fight the Moonlight on their playlist is immediately my best friend. I don’t make the rules, I just follow them.”
Allison: "Ahhhhhhh these are amazing—but please especially give my compliments to Chef Ruby for cooking up a playlist that is s e n d i n g m e"
Hannah: “This is the greatest thing. Of all things. At this moment right now. I've been CRAVING new music (cheers Hazza for helping me out) but I don't trust spotify playlists because the ones they recommend to me I never seem to enjoy!!! So thank you. Off I go to listen!”
Become a supporter to get access to all of these perks🥺
The Multifarious Multiplexity of Taika Waititi
"He makes big movies and little movies, funny movies and sad movies—but mostly big-little funny-sad movies. Waititi is a bundle of contradictions."
I came for the headline and STAYED FOR THIS SICK PHOTOGRAPH! This is simply a great interview with Taika Waititi for WIRED that I think you should all read. He talks about how he 'doesn't like being around people,' how he's 'occasionally assumed to be queer,' saying 'I come off as very gay,' and how, at the start of each project he makes playlists as a sort of an 'aural mood board.'
As you can tell there's a lot going on in this interview (classic Taika) and you should read it here.
USB-C will be mandatory for phones sold in the EU by autumn 2024
This is BIG NEWS!!!! Now we can start calling them the EUSB-C!
As per The Verge:
European Union lawmakers have reached an agreement on legislation that will force all future smartphones sold in the EU — including Apple’s iPhone — to be equipped with the universal USB-C port for wired charging by fall 2024.
The rule will also apply to other electronic devices including tablets, digital cameras, headphones, handheld video game consoles, and e-readers. Laptops will have to comply with the rule at a later date.
The move is meant to help cut down on electronic waste and stop companies (including apple) from developing new charging tech. This legislation took over a decade to be decided on, and still needs to be approved by the EU Parliament and Council this year, but apparently, that's more of a formality and this should be a (fingers crossed) done deal.
Our Love Island Debrief is BACK
Our Love Island Debrief Is BACK!!! - Culture Vulture — open.spotify.com
We're bringing back our weekly Love Island debriefs (in a slightly shorter format) to cure our winter blues here in NZ. Each week we'll be coming at you with our hot takes from the week's antics (and hopefully some smart analysis too) - let's get crackin on!
‘Ted Lasso’ Season 3 Being Written as the Final Season, Says Brett Goldstein
Brett Goldstein, who plays 🥺Roy Kent🥺 said that the show was always planned as only three seasons, so this upcoming season will be it's last (he also said that everyone dies at the end, but I think he was joking. He's a funny dude.)
This is :( but also :) because I like when shows quit while they're ahead (we don't want another Riverdale situation on our hands.)
Speaking of Riverdale, look what Cole Sprouse posted on Instagram yesterday:
It's only 6am and that's already enough internet for the day I think.
What we can all learn from the Johnny/Amber verdict (Culture Vulture)
PayPal is starting to get more crypto-y (TechCrunch)
SYSCA playlist (✨Supporters only✨)
Our HUGE SYSCA reading list! (✨Supporters only✨)