Sponsored by

This week on The Deep Dive: The answer isn’t a cabin in the woods but that doesn’t mean you don’t need time alone, how dupe culture became cool and then got out of hand, Saltburn doesn’t make sense but hey at least it's pretty, Hannah Montana did its part in teaching us how to be little capitalists, and Twilight might say more about you than you realize (or would like to admit).

If the YouTube playlist isn’t cutting it and you need help finding the perfect video to watch, take a look at the searchable, filterable, and sortable playlist with every recommendation from The Deep Dive ever – only on The Rabbit Hole! Here’s a sneak peek at what’s behind the sign-in page:

TECHNOLOGY

Birds Do Not Sing in Caves by Horses (24:52)

If you’re struggling with the feeling that we’re losing our collective sense of humanity, that’s not coming from nowhere. In this video, Horses discusses the ways technological progress and metropolitan life have disconnected us from what makes us truly human. Does that mean we should leave it all behind, abandon the system in its entirety, and run away forever? No, not to mention that prospect is virtually impossible for most people. Don’t get me wrong, technology is great and not to point out the obvious, but it is the reason we’re even able to watch this video. But it also tends to pull us away from reality and turn our very existence into a resource. How do we break the cycle of progress that needs some people and leaves others behind?

FASHION

the obsession with dupes, fakes, and counterfeits by Mina Le (32:38)

How did dupes and fake designer items go from being considered shameful to own to a point of pride among young people on social media? In a culture that places such high value on consumption, the transition actually seems pretty inevitable in hindsight. In this video, Mina Le analyzes the history of designer fakes and how copies became cool. It also doesn’t help that today’s fast fashion landscape has essentially hit fast-forward on the phenomenon that inspired Meryl Streep’s cerulean sweater monologue. And while Matilda Djerf may feel like the obvious villain in her pajama fiasco last year, this is a heads-up that Mina has a slightly different take than the one you might have heard all over TikTok – full disclosure: I still can’t decide how I feel about it.

2478 everyday investors shared $1,123,615 net profit on a Monet

Now you might be thinking: “what the heck are you talking about?” But keep reading, because this investment platform's users are already smiling all the way to the bank. Thanks to Masterworks, the award winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. 

Every single one of Masterworks’ 16 sales has returned a profit to investors, for a 100% positive net return track record. With 3 recent sales, Masterworks investors realized net annualized returns of 17.6%, 21.5% and 35%. 

How does it work? Simple, Masterworks does all of the heavy lifting like finding the painting, buying it, storing it, and eventually selling it. It files each offering with the SEC so that nearly anyone can invest in highly coveted artworks for just a fraction of the price of the entire piece. 

Shares of every offering are limited, but readers can skip the waitlist to join with this. 

MEDIA

Saltburn: The Tumblr-ification of Cinema by Broey Deschanel (40:23)

I know, I know, this is the second Broey recommendation within a month, but I couldn’t resist this analysis of Saltburn that brilliantly put into words the first thought that came to my mind after that Murder on the Dancefloor closing scene “...uhh okay, so what was the point of all of that?” In this video, Broey Deschanel spotlights a recent trend in media of films being created for aesthetics and shock value as opposed to effective storytelling with a real message. No hard feelings if you liked Saltburn, I’m also a sucker for content that takes place in 2006 (even if it is for no apparent reason). In fact, if you liked Saltburn, my guess is you’ll love The Talented Mr. Ripley. And until you get around to watching it if you haven’t already, consider what happens when films become little more than a compilation of scenes that look great on social media.

TV

Hannah Montana’s Guide to Life Under Capitalism by Alexander Avila (1:26:11)

Hannah Montana is a show about having the best of both worlds, a structure specifically designed for the sake of authenticity. And within this structure, upheld by Bobby Ray and Daddy Disney himself, there are rules: treasure your normal life, it’s okay to make mistakes, and be true to yourself. In this video, Alexander Avila breaks down these rules, one by one, explaining how each of them taught young, growing minds how to be themselves, find their true friends, and function as human beings within a capitalist system, where only the most privileged survive. Even if Nobody’s Perfect, who’s allowed to make mistakes? Between Hannah Montana and Miley Stewart, can Miley’s life be considered normal? What does a “normal” life even mean? And what if Hannah Montana is more real than Miley Stewart?

CULTURE

Twilight by ContraPoints (2:52:26)

If you or someone you love have ever been concerned about the Twilight saga’s dangerous, anti-feminist messaging, you’re not alone and definitely may not have been wrong – but we also might have missed the point behind why Twilight (and Fifty Shades of Grey for that matter) exists at all. In this video, ContraPoints reminds us that Twilight is, in fact, fiction before analyzing it from the perspective of desire, fantasy, power, death, and identity. Twilight deserves to be criticized, but can we really act like we haven’t secretly fantasized about at least some of its themes? What does Edward and Bella’s love story tell us about how we view gender and power? And can media that targets a female audience really be considered inherently narcissistic?

The Deep Dive’s Bonus Video of the Week

Shout out to Reba from Alberta, Canada for the recommendation!

Not to ruin your office pool, but I’ve learned more about the predatory nature of STATE-RUN lotteries from this video than I have in my entire life. Like, I’m sorry, but what do you mean Texas sells a $100 scratcher? And if you think sales from these lottery tickets are at the very least being used to fund public education in a way that’s effective, inclusive, and equitable – of course they aren’t.

If you have a bonus video you want to share for a shoutout in an upcoming newsletter, check out the poll below – it doesn’t even have to be a video essay!

Thanks for reading and happy watching! See you next week 💭

Share The Deep Dive 🎁

Got any video essay rabbits in your life who just don’t know it yet? Here’s your chance to start spreading the word to your herd! Just share your unique link below and unlock these rewards!

*US and Canada shipping only