Our kid's been busy
Here's Kieran in GQ with a fascinating peek into the world of looksmaxing - a subculture of fanatical physical and physiognomic self-improvement based around medically dubious practices and products, preying on the insecurities of young men, a lifestyle that can become addictive.
A New York Times piece on "ragebait" games - climbing games that are impossibly challenging and dash the player's hopes time and time again, seemingly designed for frustration addicts.
An earlier Times piece investigating the subculture of "speedrun" Minecraft
Article for Dazed on "brainrot humour" taking over the internet
Also at Dazed, a piece about an alt-right music movement
A profile of fried-rapper Lazer Dim 700 for Pigeons + Planes
For Nina, a look-back over the first half of 2024's music delights
At Pitchfork, reviews of albums by Syzy and Xaviersobased and YhapoJJ
And a live report on Nettspend for No Bells.
"Looksmaxxing" is a term that was originally coined by Bronze Age Pervert, who is a kind of super-ironic (but also genuine) fascist.
ReplyDeleteIn his case it meant lifting weights, getting out in the sunshine, personal grooming, and other healthy Aryan stuff. Like on those old A Certain Ratio record sleeves.
I see this is another indication that the far right are starting to become the engine of popular culture.