media consumption: articles, video essays, podcasts to make you smarter (vol. 7)

hello.

it’s hard to say goodbye to november, but i’m longing for the nostalgia and comfort of christmas. there seems to be a polarizing discourse on the internet about people caving into over consumption during the holiday season versus people who are opting out of spending completely (perhaps in revolt towards the current state of our country- makes sense). i do, however, think there’s nuance to all of this. as someone who tends to be a bit of an extremist, i’m challenging myself to find a happy medium.

there are ways to celebrate the holidays without conforming to this over consumptive capitalistic society. traditions, homemade gifts, focusing on activities rather than spending, and when spending, taking a more frugal approach. balance. a related question i’ve been mulling over for weeks- how does one indulge in comfort media, literature, cinema, and art guilt free? this is a topic i hope to write about soon.

on a (somewhat) unrelated note, yesterday i visited the most beautiful swedish church here in nyc. they have a holiday market filled with swedish holiday decor and snacks and candies. they also have a cafe where they serve baked goods like freshly baked cardamom buns- a sweet smell that permeates the entire church (arguably one of the best things i’ve ever smelled in my life). they also sold dala horses which reminded me of my mom because when she graduated dental school she took a trip to sweden with my grandparents and brought home a little red dala horse that she keeps in her drawer of sentimental things (my favorite drawer to go through whenever i visit her).

why do all girls love going through their mother’s things? trinkets, jewelry, sentimental baubles- this is elite window shopping.

weekly report

reading:

either/or by søren kierkegaard
kierkegaard’s either/or is a philosophical book that explores two distinct ways of life: the aesthetic, defined by pleasure and personal fulfillment, and the ethical, grounded in responsibility and commitment. it’s part fiction, part essay, blending sharp wit and deep existential musings. through its dual perspectives, it challenges readers to reflect on the choices that shape their lives, making it a timeless meditation on freedom and identity.

crush by richard siken
siken’s crush is poetry at its most visceral—ferocious, aching, and unapologetically raw. the collection is an unraveling of obsession and desire, where love feels like a dangerous, beautiful, and consuming force. siken’s writing is cinematic and intimate, full of fragmented images and emotional intensity that leave you breathless. it’s a collection that doesn’t just ask you to read—it demands that you feel.

the price of salt by patricia highsmith
the price of salt is a love story that defied conventions in its time. therese and carol’s romance is tender yet fraught with the tension of living in a world that refuses to accept them. set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1950s america, it’s both a poignant exploration of love and an act of quiet rebellion. highsmith’s nuanced characters and refusal to punish them for their happiness make this novel timeless and deeply moving.

selected poems of fernando pessoa
this collection captures the many voices of pessoa, who wrote under distinct heteronyms, each with its own personality and style. from the pastoral simplicity of alberto caeiro to the existential wanderings of álvaro de campos, pessoa’s poetry is both deeply personal and universal. his work reflects a fragmented self, filled with longing, doubt, and fleeting moments of beauty. this selection offers a glimpse into the vast, kaleidoscopic mind of one of portugal’s greatest literary figures.

eating:

cardamom buns from the swedish church of new york

creme de marrons and salted butter on landsberg bread

grapes, spiced nuts, brie cheese, and la panzanella croccantini rosemary crackers

peppar kakor swedish ginger snap cookies (these are one of my favorite cookies. ever.)

mince pies for an afternoon treat

playing:

chess

board games- can we bring these back? yes, i know chess is a board game but what about scrabble and poker?

jazzy christmas music

obsessing:

christmas markets: as long as it’s not on the weekend, there’s something magical and nostalgic about visiting christmas markets. so far i’ve visited bryant park, next i’m going to union square. sip hot cocoa, window shop, maybe ice skate- all things that bring you back to your childhood during the holidays.

recommending:

john derian sticker book for journaling

diy christmas decorations: wreaths, cinnamon ornaments, garlands, etc

advent calendars: the new yorker, snoopy, peppermint bark, tea, cookies. you could also opt to make your own.

treating:

subscriptions to: metrograph, my favorite substack writers, mubi

art prints for home: as someone who is not well-educated in the art department, i’ve recently understood how important art is to have in the home- not just any art, but art that really speaks to you. i’m learning…

let’s move into this weeks media consumption. today we’re covering the fantasy of cozy tech, the aesthetics and philosophy of art, every argument for one’s faith in god, elite college students who can’t read books, cuffing season, and more.

media consumption:

articles:

is it possible to have both pride and humility?

vox examines the tension between pride and humility in a culture that celebrates self-promotion. while pride often dominates, humility—marked by grace and openness—remains a rare but vital quality. society rewards loudness and stubbornness, from politics to the workplace, leaving little room for introspection or admitting fault. yet, humility offers deeper connection and growth, making it a virtue worth pursuing.

vox