Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy

Phoebe Maltz Bovy's Substack delves into the nuanced discussions on cultural politics, gender dynamics, and societal norms, all through the lens of television shows, fashion, and personal anecdotes. It explores themes such as body image, social media perceptions, feminism, privilege, and the intersection of culture and politics.

Cultural Politics Gender Dynamics Societal Norms Television and Media Analysis Fashion and Beauty Standards Feminism and Feminist Theory Social Media and Public Perception Privilege and Social Inequality Personal Narratives Literature and Publishing

The hottest Substack posts of Close-reading the reruns with Phoebe Maltz Bovy

And their main takeaways

Richard Bucket, monogamist

432 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Society Lifestyle Relationships
  1. Polyamorous relationships can be tiring and require a level of non-misanthropy.
  2. Appearance stereotypes about polyamory are not accurate; practitioners come from diverse backgrounds.
  3. Polyamory challenges myths about sexuality only being for the spectacularly attractive.

A clarification but, crucially, not a correction

334 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Gender Critique Body Image Social norms
  1. The author clarified a theory about online pseudonyms critiquing appearances of celebrities, emphasizing it was just a neutral guess.
  2. The author received feedback from a woman contradicting assumptions about their identity and intentions behind their critique of Taylor Swift's appearance.
  3. The discussion expanded to critique societal norms around women's body image and the impact of judgments on appearance.
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A hot take on a new TV show

235 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows
  1. The TV show Golden Girls isn't about retired women, which was surprising.
  2. Estelle Getty's character Sophia stands out for her outspokenness.
  3. The characters' ethnic portrayals are a notable aspect of the show.

How much is too much?

294 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty
  1. Sometimes it's hard to tell if you have too much clothing, especially in a small closet.
  2. It's okay to enjoy clothes-shopping and owning more than you strictly need.
  3. Consider embracing an intuitive approach to clothes-shopping, similar to intuitive eating.

Francophobia

137 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Language History Personal Essay
  1. Learning a language through academia can come with unexpected challenges and pressures.
  2. Self-consciousness about language proficiency can hinder one's ability to communicate comfortably.
  3. Overcoming insecurities about speaking a language can lead to more fulfilling interactions.

Fan-fictioning Frasier

176 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture TV shows Pop culture
  1. The author imagines a scenario where the character Frasier Crane meets Neri Oxman.
  2. Frasier's character preferences are discussed, including his attraction to high-powered, high-achieving individuals.
  3. Speculation is made on how Frasier would react to Neri Oxman's highbrow interests and credentials.

Light entertainment

98 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🪑 Design Interior Lighting Shopping
  1. The author struggled to find a suitable and durable ceiling lamp for their home
  2. They ended up finding a reputable Canadian lamp company as a solution
  3. Choosing the right lamp became a personalized and almost luxurious experience

A correction and an update

117 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🍲 Food & Drink Food culture Cooking
  1. The author corrected their claim about inventing intuitive shopping, crediting Isabel Slone for introducing the concept.
  2. The author shared an update on their quest to find anchovies in olive oil in Canada, discussing the disappointing taste of a purchase from a nearby store.
  3. Despite challenges, the author remains determined in their pursuit of the desired anchovies, navigating through various stores and asking for assistance.

BOOK

530 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
📚 Literature Book
  1. Author is writing a book about female heterosexuality titled 'The Last Straight Woman.'
  2. The book will be published under a cool imprint by Penguin Random House.
  3. The author is excited to dive deep into a topic that has interested her for a while.

'Mid'-century modern

412 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Beauty Gender Power Rankings
  1. The concept of 'mid-century modern' extends beyond furniture and into discussions of attractiveness.
  2. The term 'mid' is used to describe women who are attractive but not considered exceptionally beautiful.
  3. For men, beauty is viewed as subjective while for women, it's often seen as a source of power and subject to rankings.

Karen-lit

294 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Race Publishing Social Commentary
  1. Karen-lit explores themes of envy and entitlement in the publishing industry.
  2. The novel Yellowface satirizes white privilege and cultural appropriation.
  3. Yellowface challenges perceptions of mediocrity and entitlement in storytelling.

Dresses *and* culture wars. In this economy.

255 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Fashion Trends Luxury Fashion Fashion Industry
  1. The controversy over a man modeling dresses highlights the intersection of fashion and culture wars.
  2. Consider seeking ethical clothing alternatives like vintage or thrift stores to find similar styles at lower prices.
  3. Rich, progressive women are often the target market for high-priced, ethically-produced clothing, showcasing a cultural preference for quality over accessibility.

Girlfood

235 implied HN points • 10 Jul 23
🍲 Food & Drink Trends Social norms Gender Roles Cooking
  1. The trend of 'girl dinner' involves young women making meals out of snacks, sparking discussions on social media.
  2. Having simple snack meals every night can feel tedious, especially when lacking a kitchen for an extended period.
  3. Eating styles can be influenced by gender dynamics, with certain meal types being associated more with specific social situations or relationships.

A heartwarming work of staggering performativity

294 implied HN points • 31 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Feminism Relationships Gender Writing Social media
  1. Discussions around tipping behaviors and husband discourse often resurface periodically on social media.
  2. Many women share stories of seemingly perfect relationships with supportive partners to showcase their personal and professional success.
  3. Public narratives of idealized relationships may not always reflect the true complexities and challenges faced by individuals in real life.

The void

235 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Social Commentary Identity politics Feminism Twitter Online Culture
  1. The post discusses a tweet involving a white woman and a shirt slogan in a Pilates class - there's a void at the core of the story.
  2. The narrative explores how social media posts can project feelings onto situations and individuals.
  3. The author questions the meaning behind a shirt slogan stating "Literally nothing I do is for men" and the implications it carries.