Off topic
February 26, 2025
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I happened upon what I thought might be an interesting post:
Recession indicators are everywhere online — even if we’re not actually in one
https://mashable.com/article/recession-indicator-meme-explained
The author is Christianna Silva. The bottom of the piece outlines her credentials:
Christianna Silva is a senior culture reporter covering social platforms and the creator economy, with a focus on the intersection of social media, politics, and the economic systems that govern us. Since joining Mashable in 2021, they have reported extensively on meme creators, content moderation, and the nature of online creation under capitalism.
Before joining Mashable, they worked as an editor at NPR and MTV News, a reporter at Teen Vogue and VICE News, and as a stablehand at a mini-horse farm. You can follow her on Bluesky @christiannaj.bsky.social and Instagram @christianna_j.
I guess it’s one person, but kids these days like to throw around ‘they’ to refer to individuals (for reasons I can’t fathom). The article does include a lot of economic references, but draws no conclusion; it’s just a mish-mash of thoughts. So, I suppose this piece is published under the correct banner. (mashable). Well, maybe there IS a conclusion: “While we aren’t currently in a recession, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t feel like it.” Thanks. I didn’t have to go any further than the title.
I already wasted my time skimming through this piece, and I can only blame myself for what happened next: I was pulled deeper into the pointless abyss by an embedded TikTok link.
https://www.tiktok.com/@c.a.i.t.l.y.n/video/7428619623274122538
Here’s three minutes you won’t get back. Completely appropriate that this video too, is linked with ‘mashable’. Plenty of historical references. No point. From Neal Page in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: “… when you’re telling these little stories, here’s a good idea. Have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener.”
Well, ok, maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
Here is my takeaway from Caitlyn: Dance music, which is oriented around partying, and is, according to her (or they) “dissociative” has gone from underground to mainstream. So that’s a negative indicator. Of something.
Clearly Caitlyn seems bright and educated. Maybe she makes money on TikTok. I don’t know the economics. But it seems as if her talents could perhaps be channeled into something useful.
What’s MY point? If this is what our current educational system is churning out…we’re in trouble!
