Well, I watched every second of the buildup, flight and aftermath of the first Blue Origin all-female space trip. You’ve heard of one small step for man? This was one giant leap backwards for womankind. I’m kidding, I’m kidding! What could be more empowering or something than watching Lauren Sánchez make going to space sound like brunch with the girrrrrls.Sally Ridecould never.Anyway, if you missed this, Jeff Bezos’s fiancee took an11-minute trip to the edge of spaceon one of his Blue Origin craft on Monday, alongside some all-female passengers – sorry, “crew” – who included CBS anchor Gayle King and pop star Katy Perry. So yes: theWoman’s World videois no longer the most plastic feminist thing Katy’s done.Given the mixture of freebie rides and seats sold to the super-rich, the thing people always say about Blue Origin tickets is that prices range from zero to$28m dollars. A bit like a seat on a RyanAir flight to Tallinn. But these spots were all personally gifted by Bezos and Sánchez because this was an Important Mission. Which also meant the whole thing was exclusively documented by Blue Origin’s Pravda-like web channel. Here, the anchors and reporters kept explaining that – unlike when men went to space in the past – this mission was all about emotions. But look, it’s great that we’re valorising emotions above all things, because it gives me permission to say how very much I hated this entire, hilariously vacuous spectacle.Lauren already bills herself as a children’s author, helicopter pilot, journalist and philanthropist, and kept being told she was adding “astronaut” to the world’s longest multi-hyphenate. How did she find the trip? “I don’t really have the words for this, like … ?” OK but can you at least try? “I can’t put it into words but I looked out the window and we got to see the moon.”Back at the viewing platform in the West Texas desert, commentary was provided by, among others, Kris Jenner and a bottom-tier Kardashian (Khloé). Khloé glossed the moment of landing with the words: “it’s literally so hard to explain right now”. Other insights? “There’s one woman whose grandfather is back there and he is 92 and they didn’t even have transportation back then.” I mean, the guy was literally pre-horse. Historic scenes.View image in fullscreenKaty Perry kisses the ground on her return to Earth.Photograph: BLUE ORIGIN/AFP/Getty ImagesAmid extremely stiff competition, the most hardcore gibberish emanated from Perry, who served up an entire word salad bar involving the “feminine divine” and being “super-connected to love”. “It’s about making space for future woman,” she explained. “It’s about taking up space.” Imagine going to actual space and talking instead about therapy-speak “space”. When Buzz Aldrin beheld the surface of the moon, he described it as “magnificent desolation”. Honestly, if he wanted to feel desolation he could have just tuned into this corner of West Texas on Monday afternoon. When a Stem advocate came for her post-flight interview, we got to see the apparently lobotomised reporter shriek: “How do you look perfect after just going to space?!”In truth, how the women looked had been an overwhelming part of the buildup, and by their own design. In an Elle magazine joint interview with the passengers, Lauren showed off the hot space suits she’d personally commissioned, inquiring rhetorically: “Who would not get glam before the flight?” “Space is going to finally be glam,” agreed Perry. “Let me tell you something. If I could take glam up with me, I would do that. We are going to put the ‘ass’ in astronaut.” A former Nasa rocket scientist said: “I also wanted to test out my hair and make sure that it was OK. So I skydived in Dubai with similar hair to make sure I would be good – took it for a dry run.” Still want more? Because there was SO much of it. “We’re going to have lash extensions flying in the capsule!” explained Lauren. “I think it’s so important for people to see us like that,” explained a civil rights activist. “This dichotomy of engineer and scientist, and then beauty and fashion. We contain multitudes.Womenare multitudes. I’m going to be wearing lipstick.”Ooof. I always thought space travel was futuristic, but this was the first time it came off as travelling back in time, in this case using their little capsule to take us back to the most ludicrous inanities of 2010s girlboss feminism.Ultimately, it felt like a sign of the times that everything was about personal growth rather than affording any new understanding of wider humanity. As King put it: “I’m so proud of me right now.” Everyone, bar none, talked in whatever trite solipsism language has been reduced to by a permanent diet of social media self-care. It all made me realise how much I miss humans not permanently crying on TV, and being able to find words that don’t sound like they could be printed above a picture of a crossroads sign on Instagram, or maybe some sandy footprints on a beach.Having oh-my-godded her way through some pure gibberish, Lauren eventually announced that she’d learned: “We’re all in this together. We’re so connected.” Agreed. In which spirit, please please please could Amazon pay full and fair tax in all the territories in which it, one of the world’s biggest companies, operates? Such an act of connection truly would be your and Jeff’s gift to our planet that you apparently just got some kind of a perspective on whileKaty Perrywas floating around during the zero-gravity bit pushing towards the camera a butterfly printed with her next tour dates. Why do I feel like the most meaningful thing to come out of this will be a three-minute song called Space Cowgirl? Forget the right stuff. This was the wrong stuff.Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist
What’s more vacuous than an endless vacuum? It’s Lauren Sánchez and Katy Perry’s party in space | Marina Hyde
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Critique of Blue Origin's All-Female Space Mission Highlights Superficiality in Feminism"
The Guardian
5.2
TruthLens AI Summary
The recent Blue Origin mission, which featured an all-female crew including Jeff Bezos's fiancée Lauren Sánchez, pop star Katy Perry, and CBS anchor Gayle King, has sparked mixed reactions regarding its message and execution. The flight, lasting just 11 minutes, was presented as an empowering event but was criticized for its superficiality and vacuousness. The crew's commentary emphasized emotional experiences rather than technical achievements, reflecting a shift from traditional space discourse. Sánchez, who has taken on multiple roles as an author and philanthropist, described the experience in vague terms, while Perry's comments about the 'feminine divine' and the importance of taking up space were seen as overly sentimental and disconnected from the historical significance of space travel. This sentiment was echoed by other participants, who focused on personal appearances and emotional empowerment rather than the broader implications of their journey into space.
Critics have pointed out that the event felt reminiscent of a bygone era of 'girlboss' feminism, where the focus on personal growth overshadowed substantive discussions about humanity and global issues. The commentary included moments of triviality, such as discussions about glamor and beauty in space, which detracted from the potential for a more profound dialogue on women's roles in STEM and exploration. As the crew celebrated their experiences with a sense of self-importance, it raised questions about the responsibilities of affluent individuals and corporations, like Amazon, in contributing positively to society. Ultimately, the mission highlighted a disconnection between the personal narratives crafted by the participants and the pressing realities of the world, leaving many to wonder if the event's legacy would be a shallow pop culture moment rather than a significant advancement in women's contributions to space exploration.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a satirical commentary on the recent Blue Origin all-female space flight featuring prominent figures like Lauren Sánchez and Katy Perry. Through humor and critique, the author highlights the perceived superficiality of the event and its implications for feminism and space travel. This analysis explores the various dimensions of the article's intentions, societal impact, and underlying messages.
Intentions Behind the Article
The piece seems to aim at critiquing the commercialization of space travel, particularly through the lens of celebrity culture. By mocking the notion of an empowering female space mission that appears to prioritize emotional displays over substantive achievements, the article suggests skepticism towards the genuine progress of women in traditionally male-dominated fields like space exploration. This serves to question the sincerity of the event and the motivations behind it.
Public Perception and Societal Impact
The article likely seeks to evoke a sense of ambivalence among readers regarding the portrayal of women in high-profile roles. It suggests that the event, rather than being a milestone for women's empowerment, could instead be viewed as a trivialization of significant achievements. This perspective may resonate with audiences who are critical of tokenism and the commercialization of social movements.
Potential Concealments
While the article critiques the space mission, it may distract from broader issues related to wealth inequality and the environmental impact of space tourism. By focusing on the spectacle of the event, it diverts attention from the systemic issues that underlie such extravagant displays of wealth and privilege.
Trustworthiness of the Article
The article employs sarcasm and hyperbole, which may lead some readers to question its reliability as a news source. However, it effectively captures the absurdity of the event, inviting readers to reflect on the disparity between the glamour of such missions and their actual significance. The humor used throughout indicates a subjective perspective rather than a purely factual report.
Comparative Context
In the broader media landscape, this article aligns with a trend of critiquing celebrity culture and its intersection with significant societal issues. Compared to other coverage of the event, it stands out for its biting humor and critical lens, which may appeal to audiences frustrated with surface-level representations of feminism and empowerment.
Broader Implications
The piece could influence public discourse around space travel, particularly regarding its accessibility and ethical considerations. By highlighting the wealth disparity inherent in such missions, it may prompt calls for a more equitable approach to space exploration and related technologies.
Target Audiences
This commentary likely resonates with readers who are skeptical of celebrity culture and its impact on social movements. It may appeal to those interested in feminist discourse, environmental issues, and the critique of capitalism.
Economic and Market Impact
The article touches on themes relevant to investors in the aerospace sector, especially as it relates to companies like Blue Origin. Public sentiment influenced by such critiques may affect investor confidence and market perceptions of space tourism ventures.
Global Power Dynamics
While the article primarily focuses on a cultural critique, it reflects broader themes of wealth and privilege in global society. The ongoing discussions about space exploration's impact on international relations and economic disparities are relevant in today's context.
Use of AI in the Article
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was used in the drafting of this article. However, the style may reflect trends in automated content generation, focusing on humor and critique. If AI were involved, it might have contributed to the tone and structure, emphasizing the satirical elements.
Conclusion
The article is a blend of humor and critique, questioning the authenticity of a seemingly empowering event. While it raises important points about commercialization and representation, its satirical nature may limit its perceived reliability as a straightforward news source. Overall, it reflects a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding gender representation and wealth in modern society.