aesthetic culture exhaustion & other reading recommendations!

several articles i learned from + two books i can't stop thinking about

Articles

1. I Can’t Be The Only One Exhausted By Aesthetic Culture

The piece highlights the (many) negative aspects of aesthetic culture, such as mental fatigue, a lack of individuality, and the potential for burnout due to the relentless pressure to fit into narrowly defined categories. It also touches on the appeal of aesthetics, providing a sense of belonging and a blueprint for those unsure about their style or identity, but it criticizes the exclusivity and consumerism that often accompany these trends really well.

In a world where aesthetic identities can be as fleeting as the trends on TikTok, how do we balance the desire for individual expression with the need for genuine self-discovery, without falling into the trap of consumerism and surface-level identities?

2. Middle America's 'Doom Loop'

What leads to quality of life? This piece posits that it’s determined by the services and amenities available in a given community, like schools, libraries, safe public spaces, playgrounds, transport, restaurants and shops, and a not-too-insane commute time to the office. Midwestern cities have largely failed to invest in those things, so their downtowns are devoid of all but office space/industrial parks. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, with downtowns experiencing decreased foot traffic and office vacancies. To reverse this trend, experts suggest prioritizing people over businesses, investing in amenities, and creating diverse, livable downtown environments.

3. When Did Humans First Start Wearing Clothes? (No paywall link here!)

This article delves into the origins and evolution of clothing in human history, underscoring how this innovation was pivotal for human survival and expansion across the globe. The necessity for "portable thermal protection" arose from our ancestors' lack of fur, making them vulnerable to various climates. This invention enabled humans to inhabit regions as hostile as Siberia during the Ice Age and facilitated the migration to the Americas around 20,000 years ago. However, direct evidence of clothing older than 5,000 years is nonexistent due to the perishable nature of the materials used.