1.
“Election Fright,” November 4–17, 2024
For New York’s latest cover story, Rachel Handler spoke to anxious New Yorkers about how they were coping with stress in the waning days of the presidential campaigns. Commenter twizzlers22 said, “the vibes are fine, just another day in the post apocalyptic hell hole timeline.” Kevin Walsh, the web master of Forgotten New York, said, “whoever wins, wins,” while stephen.stirling wrote, “What on earth is the point of worrying about something you can’t control? That’s just fate, and is what it is. No wonder liberals win the ‘I am depressed and anxious’ sweepstakes!” Commenter aruffer wrote, “On Tuesday night? I’m taking several edibles, playing video games until my brain can’t process anymore, and passing out early to await our fate.” On Instagram, stacyparkerlemelle wrote, “More interested in election action, election can-do, which is around us in abundance.” Katherinepope commented, “Horribly glib article describing too many people who are not sufficiently engaged and basically don’t have a clue,” to which mgranger replied, “Alternately, excellent although unnerving article describing that it is the rare person who is able to stave off denial and maintain a sense of agency as the world approaches a precipice. I’ve read similar, although less frank, contemporaneous articles about people surviving the Blitz and the Berlin blockade.” Butterfly_beach suggested a World Series win would improve the mood around New York: “If I were a Yankees fan, I’d be moping around subways and strip clubs, gyms and polling places, scared to death of Donald Trump, too. So blessed to live in The Land of the Dodgers, in the bluest of the blue states, where turnout is very high right now, and a lot of folks feel confident about Kamala’s impending victory: we just have too much to feel good about right now.” After checking the numbers, phaedrus determined, “Apropos of nothing: on this NYM comment board, 72 hours before ‘the most important election of our lifetimes’ … The most commented story is a RHOOC recap.”
2.
“The Rise of the Climate Anti-Hero”
Also in the issue, Elizabeth Weil profiled a young climate activist who is part of a New Wave of protesters relying on the polarizing tactic of making a scene: throwing paint on artworks, blocking traffic, and interrupting public events. Some readers praised the strategy. Commenter smsh wrote, “A lot of nice people are going to come into the comments and complain, but these freaks are right and we are wrong. Complacency and gradual change will not preserve our quality of life on a diminished planet. In 2024 we’re marveling at an 80 degree Halloween. In 2044 we will be begging our children for forgiveness for what we allowed to happen.” Tim W Martin tweeted, “it’s not easy being in the hot seat for humanity.” Other readers disagreed. Matthew M. Wielicki, writer of the Irrational Fear Substack, said, “We’re now at a point where vandalizing art and disrupting lives in the name of ‘climate action’ is celebrated as heroism. When did criminal acts become worthy of praise?” Meanwhile, @Flip_MO_Blue saw another way forward: “a disdain for art and literature is fascism and so is destroying art. Montana was sued by activists and they won, now other states are being sued. Acts of terrorism are wrong no matter what the cause. Stop encouraging this stupid destruction.” Sarah.kg saw similarities between the climate activists and earlier organizers whom history has reflected well upon: “I’m old enough to remember the aids epidemic and the formation of ACT UP. They also engaged in ‘campy’ stunts, like the time they covered Senator Jesse Helms’ house with a giant condom. They were also tut-tutted at for being too loud, too unruly, too undignified. Why don’t you just go politely die in a corner and stop being so mean to the poor government and giant pharmaceutical companies?” Reader nowandthen summarized the stakes, asking, “Who will enjoy your art on a dead planet?”
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