Traveling has been obnoxiously spun as a virtue. Sorry, but contributing to global warming by jet setting to all-inclusive resorts that cater to your own culture does not make one sophisticated. Refraining from extensive travel does not turn you into a clueless bumpkin, either.

Poverty has been repackaged and marketed back to us as normal and even cool. The hovel is now a #tiny house. Living in a van down by the river is now #vanlife. Working three jobs to survive is now #hustle. Used clothing is now #vintage. Forgoing college and career is now #tradwife. Having very little is now #minimalism.

Of course it’s not all bad since unbridled consumerism hurts the planet and often leads to poverty via insurmountable debt, but I find the repackaging of the trappings of poverty interesting.