Stanley Cup Consumerism: The Rise of the “Must-Have” and the Fall of Personal Style

In a world that is increasingly online, consumerism has reached an all-time high due to internet-crazed trends and an influx in online services. Products peddled by influencers come in and out of trend faster than ever, as the internet puts an overwhelming emphasis on “aesthetics” over personal and timeless style. Terms like “Amazon must-haves” and “old-money aesthetic” compel us to purchase unnecessary and unsustainable items. All because influencers — that are paid to sell these products — are doing everything in their power to make us  believe that we  just have to have the “next best thing.” It’s fun to buy trending products and get excited about new releases, especially if you’re going to continuously use them for  years to come. However, it might be necessary to discuss the pitfalls of excessive buying and the need to have everything, not to mention in every color. 

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The Day the Music Died: The TikTok and UMG Debacle 

TikTok, the popular video app, has been a hub for musicians and music lovers alike since it appeared in app stores in 2016. Through the platform , users can lip sync to their favorite songs, create video edits of their favorite films and shows, participate in dance trends, and keep up with new music releases. Music is a fundamental feature of the app. What happens when artists can no longer promote their music with TikTok? What happens when users can no longer engage with popular artists? 

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