The End of Weird Vibes Summer Postponed Indefinitely

CREATOR NEWSLETTER

Issue #260 | August 1, 2024

Presented by:

Don’t give me an award for originality yet, but this has been one wild year. What’s that you say? It’s not over yet? Are you sure I can’t convince you to reconsider the possibility that it’s Christmas? No? “Or anything else for that matter?” Okay bestie.

While it’s certainly true that the last eight years has seen us double and tripling down on our positions, be that on politics, sports or a third thing (you pick! It’s that kind of Mad Libs Thursday!), there are some things that–as Jane Austen once suggested in her Reagancy Wattpad– transcend the hot take to become a truth universally acknowledged.  Not all of them great, but at least they establish a baseline.

For example, we’re now in August, it’s 95 days out from an election that may decide the fate of American democracy, and in the matter of choosing a vice president, it appears a slight majority of the country would prefer “no one” to J.D. Vance and his extremely weird “anti-cat-lady, pro-upholstery” ticket. (You know, the DNC has a chance to do the funniest thing ever here.)  That is true regardless of what reality you think you live in, even in one of those “Deadpool & Wolverine” MCU multiverse situations where Spoiler is played by Spoiler Spoiler (though without their trademark spoiler, which is property of New Line).

THE COMMENTS SECTION

“‘Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy meets Hawk Tuah girl at Nic Carter’s Karate Comba-‘

You bolt awake in the mountains of Carthage. You are not online. It is 217 BC. You are the general Hannibal, and you have changed your mind. The future cannot come to pass. Rome must burn.”

– X user Sophie (@netcapgirl)

Sorry, no politics or Ryan Reynolds at the newsletter table, please pass the coconuts. So, has anyone seen any good Olympics lately? I haven’t been watching, has anyone caught a Mesosic Era bacterial infection from swimming in the Seine yet? Well, give it a day.

And as we prepare to enter Feral Fall in a blaze of California wildfires, remember: Breakdancing is a sport and America, somehow, sucks at guns. Writer Lon Harris ponders the throwback era of internet celebrity Hawk Tuah Girl’s cultural phenom represents, not seen since the days of Chocolate Rain.

But unlike Daniel at the Dentist and his ilk, Ms.Tuah exists in a moment when she can actually translate 15 seconds of viral fame into CAA representation, $30k club appearances and…hanging out with RFK, Bill Maher and Barstool Sports? Scratch that, there’s not enough money in the world.

The channel that uploaded the original video that made her famous is only getting the AdSense for their YouTube video, which is…actually, that’s fine with me. Let her cook!  Weird vibe summer marches on.

– Drew Grant, Editorial Director

CULTURE

Hawk Tuah Girl’s Viral Journey Reflects a Changing Internet Landscape

There are no more clearly defined paths for viral influencers.

By Lon Harris, Passionfruit Contributor

Hawk Tuah girl over illustration of people on their phones

→ READ THE FULL STORY

Ready to expand your reach—and earnings? Turn your knowledge into an online course today.

Teachable creators average six figures in lifetime earnings, thanks to the platform’s easy, customizable digital products. From courses and coaching to memberships and community, start generating income you can count on today.

Explore Teachable

IN THE BIZ

PLATFORMS

Bleeding Red: Twitch’s Viewership Declines as Ads Plague the Platform

At this point, Amazon’s goodwill is the only thing keeping Twitch from going under.

By Steven Asarch, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

CULTURE

Senate Passes Landmark Bills To Protect Children Online

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “momentous day.” 

By Charlotte Colombo, Passionfruit Contributor

READ THE FULL STORY →

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

YOUTUBE MADE ME DO IT

In the most recent episode of Internet Today, Eliot and Ricky dive into everything from how weird the Republican party is to how strange some of the commentary at the Olympics has been. 

Copyright © 2024 Passionfruit, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email because you signed up to get the latest tips, tricks,
and trends in the creator economy from Passionfruit.

Have an idea for our next big story or want to get featured? Email us at tips@passionfru.it

Don’t want to hear from us anymore?
Click here to unsubscribe 

To view in your browser click here 

Content for Creators.

News, tips, and tricks delivered to your inbox twice a week.

Newsletter Signup

Latest Newsletters

  • Older Creators Challenge Ageism

    Older Creators Challenge Ageism

    CREATOR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER Issue 39 | May 12, 2022 The creator economy is often viewed as a young person’s industry. However, while Gen Z is a dominant force on social media, plenty of older creators are challenging the notion of who gets to be successful online. From content houses for retirees to a mega-popular cooking…

    By

    Passionfruit