Dear lovely humans,
It’s winter. I’ve been sick and tired and unable to write and avoiding all my friendships (sorry friends). So, because I’m being lazy—baby’s first video essay on Substack! In this essay I talk about the three reasons I can’t quit Instagram. I reference Erich Fromm, Simone de Beauvoir, Subjects vs. Objects, The Social Dilemma, and this incredible book called Four Thousand Weeks.
But before we dive in to Instagram I want to take a moment to address that the world is at war and Ukrainians are standing strong—I encourage us all to support them in whichever way we can. Also, a Black, masc lesbian is being detained in Russia for possessing a vape pen and we should all be nervous. And finally, the latest climate change report came out and it’s bad. Very, very, very bad. Like humanity ending in our lifetime bad.
While I’m at a loss as to how to help Ukraine or Brittney Griner—I do know how to fight climate change.
The top 10% of the world seems to not care or even acknowledge that we’ve already reached a tipping point and we’re on our way to reaching a point of no return. Human life doesn’t seem to really matter. But you know what does matter to the uber rich? Money. And do you know what we have more than the uber rich? People. So what do we the people need to get the uber rich to understand? That it’s financially beneficial of them to care about climate change because investing in fossil fuels is a bad idea for us and for the world. Getting the rich to care about their money has proven effective when it comes to fighting climate change. (Also, something to note—if you make more than 38,000 a year, you too are considered the uber rich in terms of the world).
So what can you do today? You can go to this site and learn about how to talk to your asset managers (your 401k people) about creating more sustainable investment opportunities. Don’t move your money! Just talk about your money! Show up for the people by demanding a more sustainable future. I just had this conversation with Vanguard and let me tell you, it felt good.
BONUS: If you are on the fence about climate change—i.e. don’t believe in it, don’t think it’s that big of a deal, don’t think it will end humanity for our children, then I will BUY you this book. FOR FREE. Just send me your address and it will be delivered to your door. No shame! This is a shame free space. I will send it with love and light and without blame or shame or judgement.
And—if you a)love the movie Robinhood: Prince of Thieves as a kid and watched it obsessively (me) and b) want a laugh, like a full belly, wild laugh—read this.
Okay,
live long and prosper,
Sammie
Why Can't I Quit Instagram?