First off, a quick programming note: the newsletter is going to go back *officially* to every two weeks. Like everything in life, this will be fluid and probably change but for now, I think that’s much more manageable for me and keep me from spiralling (always a good goal).
Secondly, I’m going to talk about the Depp/Heard trial and so feel free to skip below if you don’t want to deal with that, I don’t blame you.
If you know me, you know I never doubt the impact of celebrity culture. Whether people want to acknowledge it or not, celebrity impacts and influences all aspects of society. People love to think they're immune to what’s happening in celeb land and a common refrain I hear often, and lately in reference to the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, is “why should we care? These people are rich and famous and it makes no impact on our lives? It’s not that serious.”
lol said the scorpion, lmao.
I think of Miranda Priestly’s cerulean sweater monologue. Perhaps the ongoings of the rich and famous seem so silly, meaningless, and frivolous. What does it matter? How does this affect me, the lowly normie?
But it does shape our society. Public opinion is influenced by culture, so why would an oxygen sucking defamation trial be exempt? It’s not that I want to be paying attention. It’s not that I enjoy seeing conversations about the validity of someone’s sexual assault and domestic assault claims. In fact, it’s not even like I’m actively searching this out. I’m being bombarded on Reddit, TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and hell, even IRL conversations at my fucking workplace.
Something such as this, in which people are spewing such vitriol, will impact public opinion. It’s already had an impact on Evan Rachel Wood. Marilyn Manson has sued Wood for defamation following her accusation of sexual abuse. Sound familiar? Many intimate violence experts have noted the use of court by abusers, as a way for them to continue to exert control over victims, continue humiliation, and continue financial control. Sure, maybe these defamation suits won’t “do” anything, but dragging victims (especially very public victims) through the mud is exactly what abusers want, what they get off on.
Think of the legions of people working to tear apart Heard’s accusations. Think of how people, young women especially, are describing just how easy it is to fake injuries. To manipulate makeup to look like bruising. Think of how many people are calling her a gold digger, a liar, a bitch, for doing this to Depp. For ruining his reputation (something he has managed to do himself just fine). Think of how people are breaking down her behaviours, outlining how she should have responded to these alleged assaults. How she wasn’t the perfect victim. How she fought back. How she is the perpetrator here despite, I don’t know, Depp suing her on both occasions and already losing his defamation case in the U.K.
Think of how they argue that Depp is the victim and should be respected and taken seriously, yet make a mockery of the entire trial in their drive to humiliate Heard.
It’s my opinion that this trial should not be public. This is not our business. At least not in this horrific, exploitative, Court TV way. But, as long as it is public, as long as people are talking about it and refusing to understand the gravity of their little jokes, we all have to deal with the repercussions and the fallout. We will have seeds of doubt planted regarding assault accusations. We will distrust not just women, but anyone who comes forward with allegations of assault. Especially if they’re against someone so seemingly beloved as Depp.
I don’t want to delve into my own shit. I don’t want to think about the lies I’m sure are being told about me or the infinite opinions on what I should’ve done differently. Instead, I’ll just quote a wonderful Medium essay I will link below, “Bear in mind how you speak about this trial, and Amber in general — every time you choose to call her a liar, or a gold-digger, or an abuser — a victim you know will quietly decide they cannot trust you.”
Here are some good reads on what’s happening:
The Assassination of Amber Heard
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have opened a portal to hell
Which Women Do We Choose to Believe?
‘Amber Heard v Johnny Depp’ has turned into trial by TikTok – and we’re all the worse for it
What I’m Listening To:
Truthers: Tiffany Dover is Dead
When it comes to QAnon or deep anti-vax conspiracies, I’m of the belief that usually, ignorance is bliss. Of course, I don’t want to be ignorant of these massive societal influences but also like, damn, there’s already so much happening in the world, I don’t need this on my plate as well.
But this podcast was recommended on a recent episode of Pop Chat and I was intrigued. A really, really interesting look into how a conspiracy theory spreads and grows, who pushes it, and how those at the centre deal with the repercussions.
I love a look back at internet culture, especially from a time when the internet seemed so much smaller. I thought this episode was an interesting look at the beginning of shock content on the internet and online censorship, two things we’re still dealing with despite all the ways the online experience has evolved.
What I’m Reading:
My holds list on the Libby app is a wild place. Like my To-Read list on Storygraph and my Apple Books downloads, my holds list works more as a way to remember books I’ve seen discussed online, maybe even just in passing, that I have a vague interest in. All this to say, I had absolutely no memory of putting Tender is the Flesh on hold. And as I read further, no idea why.
Tender is the Flesh is set in a not-so-distant future in which cannibalism has become legal following a virus that makes the animal population dangerous and deadly to consume. Our narrator, Marcos works at the local processing plant and throughout the story, we follow him through this new society featuring human testing labs, human butcher shops, and big game camps with, well, humans.
Despite feeling ill for the entirety of this read, I really enjoyed the story. It’s distressing and disgusting and disturbing but I couldn’t put it down! I was hooked! And the ending? I need a sequel immediately, I have so many follow-up questions! Tender is the Flesh is not for the squeamish but I cannot stop thinking about it – and all the ethical ponderings it raises.
If you want to see what else I’m reading, follow me on The StoryGraph!
Articles:
Why the ‘treatment’ of autism is a form of conversion therapy
I Worked My Ass Off for the Kardashian-Jenner Apps. I Couldn’t Afford Gas.
Internet Shit:
Till next time!
xoxo, Liz