LETTER 002
WE ARE SO BACK. Or whatever the kids are saying….
First, an enormous thank you to everyone who has come along for the ride thus far! I’m so thankful to all of you who have subscribed, and I truly appreciate all paid subscribers for making it all possible. Last week, I restacked a note written by ADJOA A. that repeated “Building authentic community takes time.” like a mantra. It resonated with me because in our results-driven, hyper-productivity-centric society, creativity can easily be corrupted by the desire for exponential growth. It reminded me of why I wanted to launch Brain Matter and what I hope this space can be as I de-program myself from algorithmic life. So, fun announcement: I am now introducing the Brain Matter Chat! A place to ask anything, talk nonsense, deepdive, be nosy, and connect. This should also be a space to talk about what more you’d like to see here.
As for this week’s letter, it is largely informed by my inability to not be on vacation. My desire to live the soft life is slowly actualizing in reality due to the cosmic alignment of my addiction to traveling to beachside destinations and various generous hotel groups inviting me to their properties. So, herewithin, you’ll find a micro-essay on what I’m referring to as “The Resort Class”, a shoppable vacation edit and packing guide for those who want a seaside stunt whilst respecting international baggage weight limits, and as always, other random musings about both vaguely and acutely style-related topics.
I know from our pre-registration survey that a lot of you are interested in process pieces around styling, tips and tricks and don’t worry, those are coming! All I’ll say is…Stick around for Letter 003!
STYLING AN EXQUISITE CORPSE
Like many children of the 1990s, before gentle parenting and child-led weaning were a thing, it was acceptable to let your children watch TV for hours on end as a substitute for childcare.
MICRO ESSAY: “Wasting Away at Margaritaville” An exploration of the Resort Class
The food court at the Cancun International Airport is an incredibly apt reflection of the 21st-century condition. Dante’s lesser-known 10th circle of hell. It is overcrowded and understaffed, everyone is rushing because their time is more valuable than your time, and you are in their way. Marriages are ending in this airport. The generationally traumatized are healing in this airport. Highs of self-care and escape come crashing down to earth as the specter of the grind hovers above busy travellers returning home. The righteous and the wicked are at war here.
WHO GETS TO BE CHIC?
I went to the darkest corners of the internet (YouTube) so you don’t have to. Please enjoy the fruits of my labor in the form of this truly incredible documentary:
WE NEED THE RAPTURE: FASHION ENTERS THE TECHNOCRATIC AGE
Raise your hand if you remember Lil’ Miquela, the ethnically ambiguous and hotly debated AR influencer who amassed an enormous following by serving her audience exactly what they searched for… without them knowing it? Yes, she was clearly a render, but she captivated us because of how well she delivered on internet fame.
WHY HAVE THERE BEEN NO GREAT WOMEN CD APPOINTMENTS?
After the way that the news media has beat my ass this last year, I have become weary of paying attention to it at all, and have implemented safeguards to protect my peace. Since October of 2023, I have spent nearly every night going to sleep angry and waking up angry, like my phone’s blue light has some mystical mood-shifting power in addition to its evil ability to irreparably deregulate my REM cycle.
I love it here