Topic: Icons

The actors' union SAG-AFTRA extends contract talks to July 12th, narrowly avoiding a strike that would join the ongoing writers' walkout. High-profile actors like Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lawrence press for a "transformative deal" in the age of streaming. Finally, Royal Caribbean's "Icon of the Seas," the world's largest cruise ship powered by liquefied natural gas, begins sea tests ahead of its 2024 debut.

A Newsweek retrospective comparing teenagers in 1966 to those in 2016 shows a dramatic shift in admired icons. While 1960s teens looked up to figures like JFK and Helen Keller, modern teens list Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Selena Gomez as their heroes. Abraham Lincoln was the only historical figure to appear on both lists, highlighting the changing nature of celebrity and influence over fifty years.

The absence of high-profile celebrity activists like Angelina Jolie and George Clooney from the current refugee narrative is noted. Speculation is offered regarding Clooney's marriage to a human rights lawyer and potential CIA connections. Additionally, the lack of "icon changing" social media movements is linked to Hillary Clinton's departure from the State Department.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss the phenomenon of users changing their Twitter icons to support social causes. They joke about starting their own movement or getting listeners to adopt a "No Agenda" icon, noting that many people forget to change their icons back after a trend ends.

Internet users in New Zealand are participating in a blackout protest against proposed censorship laws by using black icons on social media. The hosts critique this form of passive activism, comparing it to historical symbols like black armbands, yellow ribbons, and rubber bracelets, arguing that such gestures rarely achieve concrete political results.