Out of Scope Issue #148: Old Timers
Plus: Penn’s AI degree and NCAA history
Happy Friday! This week, we examine advanced age’s role in presidential election anticipation and conversation. But first…
📡ON OUR RADAR
The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science has introduced its Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.) in Artificial Intelligence degree. The program is the first of its kind among Ivy League universities.
If you hadn’t heard of Temu before the big game, it was inescapable on Super Bowl Sunday. With its pithy ad slogan “Shop Like a Billionaire” that aired three (!) times to a whopping tune of $21 million, the Chinese e-commerce retailer solidified itself as a potential competitor to Amazon's digital presence and market.
This week’s new Census of Agriculture reveals the quantity of American farms and farmers is declining, while big factory farms with massive emissions continue to grow. Pushes for “climate-smart agriculture” raise concerns that government policy aimed at bolstering farmers’ success will only further fund major polluters and neglect smaller, greener farms.
💄FROM THE BLOG: It’s easier to blame a 10-year-old than it is to blame ourselves for marketing malpractice
This week, HL’s Avani Johnson discusses marketing to children, and what is going on with the Sephora tweens:
In recent weeks, reporters, moms, and fellow Sephora shoppers have gone online to express bewilderment and straight-up ire at tween girls taking over the cosmetics stores in search of the latest and greatest skincare and beauty fads. What started with an off-hand TikTok from a micro-influencer asking, “Has anyone else noticed that every time you go into Sephora, now it’s just all little girls?” has become a mainstream media phenomenon.
Despite it all, the tweens themselves continue to shop unabashedly. Why? Because they’ve been sold a lie (and lifestyle) that’s too addicting to give up. Read more on our blog.
💡ON OUR MINDS: Old-Timers
(Chris Kelponis / Getty Images)
While we saw one old favorite return to the helm this week (Welcome back, Jon Stewart!), Americans have grown increasingly concerned about another old-timer holding onto power elsewhere. The discourse around President Biden’s age and capability to lead has reached a fever pitch.
In a report this week, Special Counsel Robert Hur referred to the President as "a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory," and the White House’s communications team went into crisis PR mode, widely deploying surrogates to praise his mental acuity.
In his return to The Daily Show, Jon Stewart criticized the tactic, questioning why the White House is limiting his public appearances (including declining the traditional softball pre-game interview before the Super Bowl) if he is so sharp in conversation.
Of course, it’s been documented that rival candidate President Trump isn’t particularly eloquent himself. He recently confused Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi. But Trump, who would also serve into his 80s if reelected, hasn’t received nearly as much criticism for his memory as his counterpart.
The advanced age of either candidate has taken root in the electorate as an unavoidable cause for concern. Once again, this serves as our quadrennial reminder that persona, not policy, is how these races are won.
🥊QUICK HITS:
In case you missed these reads.
Financial models cause worry for models’ financials as Soho House shares plunge.
Caitlin Clark made history last night in front of a sold-out crowd. The University of Iowa phenom is now the all-time leading scorer in NCAA women’s basketball.
The film and television industry returns to New York City, generating excitement, jobs, and revenue following indefinite pauses during Covid and Hollywood strikes.
Thanks for reading,
HL
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