In the age of social media, the fandom has evolved from a passive pastime into a participatory — and often polarizing — arena. What once took place in stadium bleachers or postgame bar debates now unfolds in real-time across Twitter threads, Instagram comments and Reddit forums. But as the digital megaphone grows louder so too […]
Tag: social media
The Medicalization of Weight and the Death of Diet Culture
The era of kale chips, waist trainers and detox teas may be drawing its final breath — replaced by a once-obscure injectable medication called Ozempic. Celebrities and social media influencers alike have helped catapult Ozempic and similar glucagon-likepeptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists into the cultural spotlight. Originally developed for diabetes management, these medications are now marketed — […]
Politicians Are Trying Too Hard to Be Relatable
Politicians’ campaigns and online presence are nothing like they used to be. In an era of Trump, political figures are reimagining how they attract and maintain supporters. They now guest on podcasts, post humorous videos to their page and spread messages on social media almost as casually as texting a friend. Yes, this may attract […]
Can Election Integrity Survive the Technology Revolution?
Social media has become the battleground for elections. Candidates are guests on popular podcasts, campaign teams are utilizing trends for exposure and politicians are able to get their message out faster than ever. Feeds have the ability to shape opinion, and, ultimately, dictate who gets elected into power. And politicians are aware. One problem that […]
Record Labels Are Becoming Irrelevant – and Artists Know It
Gone are the days when being signed to a record label was the only path to becoming a successful musician. Now, you only need one thing to break into the industry—a TikTok account. Many notable musicians got their start on social media. The virality of “Old Town Road” on TikTok skyrocketed Lil Nas X’s career. […]
Politicians Need to Stop Being Influencers
In the age of TikTok soundbites and Instagram-perfect campaigns, politics has become more of a performance and less about actual governance. Some elected officials prioritize viral moments over policy, crafting their public personas like influencers rather than helping the people improve democracy. Politics is supposed to be about policies, governance, and public service, yet nowadays, […]
Brand Trips are a Sign That Companies Don’t Care About Their Consumers.
As with everything, the prices of cosmetics are rising. Nowadays, drug store makeup costs the same amount as luxury makeup, defeating the purpose of having cosmetics in accessible places like drugstores. It might seem like the rising prices are due to inflation, but a closer look at the beauty industry on social media shows that […]
TikTok is Changing How We View Celebrities
A few days after the Grammys, a seemingly random man filmed himself in his Amazon delivery truck after completing a delivery. He flexes in the camera, exclaiming that he won a Grammy. The man’s name is Joey Hamhock, and whether you recognize that name or not, the reality is that even award-winning producers have everyday […]
Op-Ed: Why is TikTok Politicizing Makeup?
In an already divided nation, TikTok has brewed another way to separate liberals and conservatives: by their makeup looks. After having redownloaded TikTok this past week, after a very short ban of the app in the United States, I stumbled across the resurgence of this liberal vs. conservative makeup trend from 2021. The trend does […]
Men’s Beauty Revolution: Breaking Stereotypes One Product at a Time
The global beauty industry is undergoing a significant shift, with men stepping into the spotlight as key consumers of skincare, grooming, and beauty products. Once considered taboo or reserved for women, the concept of men’s beauty is breaking stereotypes and redefining societal norms. The rise of men embracing self-care is not just a trend; it’s […]
Music Therapy in Crisis: How Songs Are Healing Mental Health Challenges
In times of crisis, music has emerged as a powerful tool for healing mental health challenges. Music therapy, the clinical use of music to address emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being, is increasingly being recognized for its effectiveness in helping individuals navigate mental health struggles. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the global mental health crisis, with isolation, […]
