Weekend Links: Slava Ukraini
Well hi there, ducklings. What a time to be alive, huh? To spare your sanity, should you need it, I’ve divided this week’s links dump into our usual lighthearted or interesting content and a separate section on the invasion of Ukraine.
The usual….
It feels deeply weird to try and do one of these posts as if we aren’t living through “unprecedented” times(TM).
These are positively gorgeous.
And speaking of gorgeous, how beauty products are selected for film.
Lesbians leading the way, again.
I’m genuinely interested in this technology and all its implications. Is there any ethical difference between tissue that has never been “alive” and this? What are the environmental impacts? How scaleable is it?
Know your meme…because it might be a racist or fascist talking point. Seriously. I’ve had conversations with way too many loved ones who use these or similar talking points. And I know, because I know them, that they are ignorant of the more insidious interpretations. But that’s exactly the point.
I am HYPED for Bridgerton season two, and no one will take that joy away from me. The music. The absolute costuming and hairstyling iconography (of Queen Charlotte especially), the
While on the subject of food and drink, I expect you might welcome a cocktail right now…
Ukraine
I do not pretend for one moment to understand all the complexities and I’m mostly sticking to my lane in commenting on media usage and environments over on Instagram. I have a whole highlight reel dedicated to media literacy, if you are at all interested in my ramblings on the subject. But aside from finding the Ukrainian response downright heroic, I am a bit in awe of how well the populace are using social media messaging and internet savvy to get and keep attention and world sympathy. Meanwhile the Ukrainian government led by President Zelensky is being masterful in its message coordination and discipline.
The most striking thing to me is how governments, corporations, businesses, media outlets and more have all simply refused to fall prey to the aggressive Russian misinformation attempts. I’m also seeing the general global populace being a LOT more media literate overall in watching this attempt at invasion. That gives me hope that as a consuming public, a lot of people have FINALLY learned some important lessons in how to view and evaluate media…but it also reinforces to me exactly how much Western media is complicit in the problem of poor media literacy in the first place. We do not owe anyone - not a platform, not a brand, not an individual - a megaphone. When there is enough collective will, we do NOT have to allow known bad actors to have the power and reach they currently enjoy.
”Zelensky survives three assassination attempts in days.”
Losing the PR and propaganda war means these statements can be viewed for what they are: bullshit
At time of writing, Ukraine is asking for but not receiving support in creating a “no fly zone.” A useful summary.
Watching the business world respond to the invasion has been fascinating and occasionally ironic.
There have been over a million refugees out of Ukraine so far. Where they are going and what’s happening to them.
Watching a war through social media.
How Ukrainian citizens are waging a war for sympathy and alliance. They are proving masterful at the art of positive propaganda. Here’s another post on the same idea, though more along the lines of “how we got here” internet culture.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba warns NATO partners: "You can think as much as you want about how to avoid a direct confrontation with Russia, but if you do not help us to stop it now, a direct confrontation will be inevitable because you will be next."
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) March 4, 2022
How to help
British Red Cross Ukraine Appeal
World Central Kitchen (one of my favourite charities, to which I have personally donated for years)
