media consumption: articles, video essays, podcasts to make you smarter (vol. 9)

hello.

this week’s media roundup is solid. i’ve provided a hefty portion of articles, video essays, and podcasts for you to consume throughout your week covering everything from joan didion’s take on martha stewart, the difficult women of sex and the city, how the ivy league broke america, booktok influencers and anti-intellectualism, the paradox of self awareness, the psychological evolution of tony soprano, and more.

let’s start with this sunday’s weekly report.

weekly report:

reading:

sex, love, and letters: writing simone de beauvoir by judith coffin (still reading) a fascinating exploration of the deeply personal and intellectual dialogue between simone de beauvoir and her readers from the late 1940s through the 1970s. drawing from a treasure trove of letters, coffin unveils how readers engaged with de beauvoir’s work—particularly the second sex—to share their own lives, struggles, and aspirations. this correspondence offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of private life, politics, and the evolving feminist and gay liberation movements. alongside insights into de beauvoir’s intimate circle, including sartre and hannah arendt, coffin reveals how literary and intellectual life became a collaborative and deeply human endeavor. it’s a poignant reflection on the enduring power of literature to bridge the personal and the political.

a short history of decay by emil cioran a stark, poetic tale of despair, mortality, and the futility of existence. in a series of aphorisms and essays, cioran unflinchingly dissects the human condition, blending biting wit with haunting lyricism. his reflections are both brutally honest and strangely liberating, offering a darkly beautiful meditation on the absurdity of life and the inevitability of decay. it’s a book that challenges and comforts in equal measure, perfect for those drawn to the philosophical shadows.

christmas days by jeanette winterson a charming, magical collection of holiday tales filled with wonder, humor, and a touch of the eerie. blending personal reflections with imaginative storytelling, winterson captures the enchantment of the season, making it perfect for cozy evenings by the fire or nostalgic holiday travels.

eating:

-porridge: are all the hot girls on a porridge kick right now? porridge is comforting, filling, nourishing, delicious, perfect. the most perfect winter food.

-sumo oranges (citrus season is amongst us)

-rosemary spiced nuts

-dark chocolate cherries

-honey glazed ham, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted brussels sprouts, parker house rolls with salted butter

-raspberry hot chocolate with vanilla bean marshmallows

-creme de marrons on toast with black coffee for breakfast

playing:

not really playing per se, but i’ve been doing lots of puzzles from my new yorker advent calendar.

obsessing:

reading blurbs in cookbooks

print magazines, especially food ones

eating alone in public

festive holiday activities that don’t require any money

recommending:

a pair of perfect classic house slippers for colder evenings spent at home

tying velvet bows on your christmas tree

treating:

i bought this mini portable photo printer that prints 2x3 photos so i could put them in my journal and document my days with words and pictures. i’m heavily prioritizing journaling in 2025, so this felt like the perfect companion. i also want to create a little collage on my wall in front of my desk. (this would make a great gift)

the rest of this newsletter is for paid subscribers, if you haven’t already subscribed, i’d love your support ~ i truly enjoy writing to you almost daily.

and as always, my inbox is always open for suggestions or topics you’d like me to cover (or improve) on milk fed.