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in fact, everything IS connected.
What’s up everybody? It’s Tuesday again. Can you believe it? Will I ever stop being surprised at the way time just goes on and on?
If I told you I was feeling inspired this week, I’d be lying. That said, curating this newsletter and delving into all its hot topics has injected some sparkle into my day… so I’m extremely pleased to share it with you.
Let’s take a look at some lifestyle news, including the potential culprit causing young people’s ‘sex recession’, and get up to date about some important environmental events coming up.
👄🌀 Life & culture
The dystopia of watching Hurricane Milton unfold online – thred.
To describe watching Hurricane Milton unfold online in real time as ‘unsettling’ would be an understatement. Many influencers ignored evacuate orders to capitalise on livestreams of their experience, while fake news and conspiracies about the storm’s origins spread like wildfire on social media. This clusterfuck of coverage blended reality and spectacle, raising concerns about how we consume disasters in the digital age. Sure, online platforms can help raise awareness and funds for disaster relief, but they also turn tragedy into a form of entertainment, distancing people from the scope of human suffering behind such events.
Is the skincare boom fuelling the sex recession? – dazed digital
Are multi-step skincare routines becoming our generation’s biggest cockblock? It’s not a bad theory. Devoted skincare lovers cringe at the thought of their partner planting a kiss or hand on their face after cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising with various serums and moisturisers (guilty as charged!!!). But at what point does the desire to have flawless skin become a barrier to the bacterially-charged but wonderful experience of getting into bed and cuddling… and more… with another person? Some are even foregoing staying at the partner’s homes, all in the name of in the skincare!!! With the dating pool needing a dose of chlorine, and influencers glorifying every new product on the block, it’s no surprise people are opting for pore perfection over passion. Still, is the impossible struggle for perfect skin worth forgoing a goodnight kiss? Me thinks not. Mwah.
🌍💬 Planet talk
The concept of ‘nature positive’ products is gaining a fresh wave of momentum in corporate sustainability discussions, reflecting a growing awareness of the vital role ecosystems play in mitigating climate change. This may sound like good news, but the term remains loosely defined, leading to concerns about greenwashing. Advocates emphasise the need for clear metrics and governance to ensure genuine progress. In other words, we need to see the RECEIPTS, honey!!!
The most important event you’ve never heard of, explained – vox
As threats to global biodiversity grow, world leaders will gather at COP16 in Cali, Colombia. At the UN biodiversity summit, progress is to be assessed on a landmark deal to halt biodiversity loss by 2030. The 23 targets from COP15, described as a ‘Paris Agreement for nature’ included conserving 30 percent of land and oceans and cutting harmful subsidies by $500 billion USD. That said, progress is alarmingly off track, with only 3 percent of oceans effectively protected and destructive subsidies soaring into the trillions. Critical discussions at COP16 will focus on funding gaps, digital genetic data, and monitoring global conservation efforts — all in the shadow of potential ecological collapse.
💌 Health is wealth
An investigation by The Intercept reveals how drug-sniffing police dogs are being used to intercept abortion pills sent through the U.S. mail. As legal battles over abortion continue, anti-abortion activists are leveraging the U.S. Postal Service to track and seize abortion medications. Despite the challenge of enforcing state-level bans on medication abortion, some conservative lawmakers and activists are pushing for tighter mail surveillance. This is happening as organisations continue to ship abortion pills across state lines, protected in part by so-called ‘shield laws’ in certain states. The piece explores what impact a Trump presidency could have on these laws.
The doctor behind the ‘Suicide Pod’ wants AI to assist at the end of life – wired
A Switzerland-based doctor has developed a futuristic suicide pod called Sarco, designed to assist people in ending their lives. Now, he’s exploring how artificial intelligence could play a role in end-of-life decisions. Dr. Philip Nitschke envisions a future where AI guides people through the euthanasia process without the need for a doctor’s approval. While his work is raising eyebrows, Nitschke argues that allowing people more autonomy at the end of their lives could be a compassionate step forward. Still, critics worry about ethical implications and the risks of misuse if AI becomes involved in life-ending decisions. And if you’ve ever been privy to one of ChatGPT’s blunders, you’ll likely understand the hesitancy.
📖 Recommendation
