CREATOR NEWSLETTER
Issue #159 | August 15, 2023
Back in July 2022, amid an ongoing Dogecoin racketeering lawsuit and a court battle over the future of Twitter, Elon Musk took a little getaway to Mykonos on a $20,000-per-week luxury yacht. When topless photos of the richest man in the world were leaked by paparazzi, the internet ruthlessly fat-shamed him and bullied him for his pale skin.
The moment harkened back to the July 2020 beach days of Mark Zuckerberg, who was caught by paparazzi with a ghostly face full of white sunscreen and looking like a little kid slathered in sunscreen by his mom. The photos came amid an ongoing lawsuit and advertiser exodus over allegations of Facebook’s “failure on racial issues,” and they probably did not provide the portrayal of seriousness and strength Zuck was hoping for at that moment.
If recent events are any evidence, neither billionaire forgot how the internet made them feel.
In June 2023, they announced they were interested in displaying their physical prowess in an MMA-style cage match—once again making summer headlines for things other than their ongoing lawsuits and advertising woes. This week, they are reigniting media interest with a heated, manly debate about whether or not they will actually get shirtless and fight each other. Over the weekend, Zuckerberg said it probably isn’t going to happen because Musk isn’t “serious” enough about the full-contact sport of mixed martial arts, while Musk announced last night he wanted to show up uninvited to Zuckerberg’s home to settle the duel.
On the surface, the battle of the pale middle-aged billionaires is just a bizarre, dystopian meme. But it’s also a tried and true method to change the narrative.
I’d like to direct you to some notoriously ridiculous, hyper-manly, shirtless pictures of Russian autocrat Vladimir Putin that went viral in 2017. Yup, you heard me correctly. Cue topless Putin on horseback. Catching fish. Polar plunging. Immortalized in a meme of him riding a bear. And then, of course, there are the viral images pumped out by the Kremlin of Putin sparring with professional judo fighters.
The goal of those photos was simple. To help shuck the stereotype of a weak, paper-pushing, armchair politician, in favor of an image of physical strength and vitality—the kind of display of health from an authoritarian playbook that tries to keep a leader in power for years and years.
This is to say, Zuck and Musk’s recent proposed shirtless MMA fight is just another sad example of masculine peacocking. And arguably, a spectacle intended to distract us from the fallibility and failings of their respective empires.
So next time you see a billionaire—or hell, even a controversial millionaire influencer—trying to deck it out in the ring (or a Roman colosseum), think twice about what kind of propaganda they’re trying to pump out… and what narrative they’re trying to avoid.
– Grace Stanley, Newsletter Editor
IT’S A HOAX
Lil Tay Hoax Hysteria Proves You Shouldn’t Believe Everything You Read
The story of a dead 14-year-old influencer captured the world by storm, even when it proved to be a hoax.
By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor
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THE COMMENTS SECTION
“When will we talk about the controversial YouTubers turning to boxing to keep views up to the weird billionaires trying to fight each other to keep users on their sites pipeline… just kiss already.”
—Wise words from internet culture journo Morgan Sung.
IN THE BIZ
- Starting August 31, YouTube Shorts links will be made unclickable in an effort to prevent spam and scams, following a series of negative feedback from creators about the proliferation of harmful links on the platform. While it may be a bummer for some creators trying to direct fans to other content, YouTube says that it’s planning to introduce a “safer” way for Shorts creators to use links “by the end of September.”
- lllinois has become the first state in the U.S. to protect the children of influencers and ensure they receive earnings from the content they are a part of. Advocates say the move is long overdue.
- For those of you that aren’t familiar with interior design TikTok drama, last week a DIY controversy sparked debate over the line between stealing ideas and being inspired by them. It’s a fascinating case.
- This week, sports drink brand Alani Nutrition sued competitor Ryse Up and fitness influencer Paige Hathaway for ripping off an image for an Instagram ad. A humbling reminder that stealing content can have legal consequences.
- Last week, creator John Green went viral for criticizing an Indiana public library for removing his teen romance novel, “The Fault in Our Stars,” from its shelves. Online communities rallied to pressure the library to reverse its decision, and it seems it may have worked.
GUWOP-PENHEIMER
We Talked to the Creator Who Made Gucci Mane’s Viral ‘Woppenheimer’ Art
The story of how Gucci Mane turned a fan-made image into official single art.
By Leslie Horn Peterson, Passionfruit Contributor
NEW FRONTIERS
The Try Guys Are Ready for Their ‘F*ck It, Let’s Do What We Want’ Era
Known for testing out almost everything, the group is ready to open themselves and their audience up to new experiences.
By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor
UPCOMING EVENTS 📅
- Podcast Movement takes place in Denver, Colorado Aug 21-24.
- VidCon Baltimore will be held from Sept 28-Oct 1.
- VidSummit in Dallas, Texas takes place Oct 3-5.
- Adobe MAX comes to Los Angeles Oct 10-12.
- TwitchCon will be in Las Vegas Oct 20-22.
TWITTER MADE ME DO IT
This creator made a brilliant realization.
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