In this edition of cool stuff on the internet, we’re talking about Apple making and selling shoes, and when the heck political satire became the norm. I don’t think I need to say more — let’s dive right in.
Some of the world’s most popular brands, like celebrities, are constantly embroiled in controversy. Yet, Apple is one popular brand that has managed to command a sort of divine respect (despite its fair share of drama) over the years.
WWDC, where Apple announces its latest products is one of the most widely watched broadcasts every year; the company’s obsession with user-friendliness has been copied relentlessly by other product-based companies; “think different”, the catchphrase announced in one of Apple’s TV commercials in the 90s continues to ring in media…there are countless examples of Apple's reign, including Apple apparel.
When a tech company ventures into apparel, the best response they can expect is lukewarm, but when it comes attached to a brand like Apple and a very interesting backstory, you can be certain they will sell like hot cakes.
What’s the backstory? Well, when Steve Jobs visited the Sony office in the 80s and saw employees wearing Sony-branded apparel, he decided to institute the same practice at Apple. The company collaborated with Omega Sports and came up with limited-edition shoes, which only saw the light of day in one conference a long time ago.
Today, these shoes are being auctioned at Sotheby for $50,000.
Inherently, our workspaces are sacred places. We end up spending a good chunk of our days and eventually, our lives at our desks (or wherever you choose to work from.) There’s several Pinterest boards, Youtube tutorials and newspaper articles listing recommendations to build and make your perfect workspace, that inevitably mention at least one of these:
- You’ve got to have at least one plant (preferably something low-maintenance like a ZZ plant, so you don’t accidentally kill it)
- Grab an old mug from your closet and fill it up with stationary that you’ll rarely ever use
- Teeter the line between a fire hazard and inhalant addiction, by stocking up on candles
When I started working from home, I tried to fill up my desk like every one of these pieces of media were forcing me to. I bought a laptop stand on Amazon, filled up my drawers with journals and notebooks and placed a clock against the wall and an extension cord on the ground. It wasn’t the fanciest setup but it would do, at least until I discovered rich people’s setups on this newsletter run by Loops.so. It does an incredible job at showcasing where the world’s best creative work gets done, and lists all of the products used by these creatives too — I’m inspired but not yet influenced.
Political comedy is almost as old as politics itself. All the way back in 1321, a poet named Dante Alighieri basically suggested that Florence politicians at the time should go to hell.
However, political comedy during the rule of Trump in the US reached new heights of popularity (who can forget covfefe?), which came with a downside. The media was more interested in reporting about his antics rather than his government’s administration.
It was at this time that stand-up comedians emerged as unlikely heroes, talking about serious things like education, healthcare and gun laws in unserious tones. Hasan Minhaj’s Patriot Act is a prime example of this. In one episode of the show, laughable statements like “This is America. Racism is as integral to voting as stickers” roll off of Hasan’s tongue as he passionately tries to drive a point home — Trump’s administration is not enforcing civil rights. This needs to be addressed immediately.
In contrast, MSNBC spent a chunk of its space reporting on Trump calling Kim Jong Un “Rocket Man.”
So, where do you prefer to get your fill of the news?