Quick Spin: Sorry It's So Heavy This Week
Lol
Hi babies. Last week was an exciting one for me—had a few pieces publish that I was excited about, like this cutie about a Fear of Flying subreddit for Conde Nast Traveler and a deepish dive into stories about edibles causing long-lasting anxiety for GQ. (The comment section on GQ’s Instagram post is a great reminder of how people read one sentence, make assumptions, and/or can't understand nuance—or that other people’s bodies and experiences might be different from their own. But I know, I know: I shouldn’t be reading the comments. Whatever! It all boosts engagement. Thank you for your service!!)
Ok, onto some things I’ve been thinking about lately:
How could someone be so evil to cut the National Suicide Hotline Program for LGBTQ youth? The administration would cut the budget for services that are tailored to queer folks and reallocate them to other parts of the hotline. We’ve seen a lot of disgusting and inhumane actions from this administration, but this one just seems so… inexcusable? It’s not even under the usual veil of trying to “save money.” Mother Jones reported that the LQBTQ hotline received an average of 2,100 calls a day in February. Just want to stress that these budget cuts aren’t in place—or guaranteed—and if passed, would take effect on October 1st.
Also, if you thought RFK Jr.'s only redeeming quality was that he “cares about chronic disease” (which, regardless of party lines, is obviously a huge issue in this country), his sweeping cuts to the CDC and National Institute of Health (proposed at 40 percent for both), say otherwise about his actual intentions and regard for real, scientific research. But we already knew that….
Some weeks, it feels like the worst news barely even makes a ripple. Budget cuts to mental health resources? Public health gutting? These should be national emergencies. But in a world where chaos is constant, it’s weirdly easy for even massive, life-altering policy shifts to get buried. I don’t know if anyone really has a solution for that—but it’s a reminder that attention is a resource, and it’s one we have to protect a little more fiercely these days.
A few years ago, I was fully immersed in the climbing world—it filled my weekends, I lived in a town where there were nearly more pros than casual climbers, and I wrote for a climbing magazine. This week, news broke that a famous climber had been found guilty of four counts of domestic violence. Two women covered the news in a very matter-of-fact way.
And yet, men flooded the comment section under the IG post saying things like “National Enquirclimbing Magazine” and “I do not appreciate having this kind of civil matter on my supposedly climbing news feed. Disappointing here.”
It got me thinking about how the climbing industry loves to pat itself on the back for being progressive—especially when the women’s U.S. team consistently outperforms the men’s—while still sweeping so much ignorance and entitlement under the rug. There's still a massive gap between how the sport sees itself and how it actually operates.
Okay sorry, that was all so heavy—but what isn’t these days, amiright? Onto happier things:
Things I’ve Liked This Week:
🏝️ In a surprise to literally no one, Fyre Festival 2 was cancelled and the founder put the brand up for sale! This news brings me joy (and reminds me of a time when we didn’t have as many things to care about and could laugh about the Fyre Fest disaster for literal months.)
🥾 Salomon invited me on a hike to test their new X Ultra 5 hiking shoes, which were super grippy on the muddy trail (and felt very agile, too.) The hike was organized by Outlandish, a Crown Heights-based outdoors store, and the community they’ve cultivated is top notch. Talking to the other hikers felt breezy (not forced), and it was the first hike for a few people!
🎨 We also visited the Dia Beacon, a gallery in an old factory along the Hudson River. The Richard Serra exhibit was captivating and I felt like a child running through the giant metal sculptures. Worth a visit if you’re up that way!
👚 Unearthed this shirt (photo below) from Barcelona-based clothing brand Feners and it’s got me dreaming of ordering more.
🛌 Been loving this lightweight waffle texture blanket (also below) from Brooklinen. Great to pair with a comforter but also hefty enough to use on its own if you overheat so quickly like I do.
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K, love you, bye! 🍓
Thank you for keeping us informed, bb!