The Summer of Our Discontent

Plus: Panda Diplomacy and the Big Mac Economy

Happy Monday! For this edition of Out of Scope, we react to Semafor’s latest research on Gen-Z’s dour political disposition. But first, stories from last week with some staying power...

📡ON OUR RADAR

• The summer’s hottest accessory isn’t a designer bag. It’s a paper one from your favorite fast food chain. According to a LendingTree survey, 78% of respondents said they now view fast food as "a luxury" because of price hikes. Big Macs and Whoppers have graduated from an affordable convenience to a splurge.

• As climate change pushes payout costs up as housing prices soar, more and more Americans are forgoing home insurance. Quantifiable impact on talking animal spokespeople remains TBD.

• In the world of publishing, expect the unexpected. As legacy media finds new ways to drive revenue and relevance, fashion magazine Elle announced plans to build a residential project in Miami and bring luxurious living off the page.

💡ON OUR MINDS: The Summer Of Our Discontent

• The vibes are off. Last week, a survey published by Semafor showed that voters under 30 strongly feel that politicians are corrupt and that the United States is profoundly headed in the wrong direction. 

• 64% backed the statement that “America is in decline;” 51% agreed to some extent that the U.S.’s political system “doesn’t work for people like me;” and 49% agreed to some extent that elections don’t represent people like them.

• This sour mood is further complicated by the ongoing “vibecession,” as reported by Axios this morning. Although the economy remains strong on paper, Americans are just not feeling it.

• These sentiments aren’t a great sign in an election year. In an already uninteresting campaign season, Americans are less engaged and enthusiastic about the race. 

• To weather the bad vibes, institutions, candidates, and incumbents nationwide face the challenge of messaging optimism and positivity as conditions stagnate.

🥊QUICK HITS:

In case you missed these reads:

• OpenAI’s new safety and security committee is staffed almost entirely by insiders— including Sam Altman himself. 

• Modern Retail got to the bottom of Target’s quasi-burner eBay and Poshmark accounts. 

• Two great imports of cultural diplomacy arrive in D.C. later this year: Bao Li and Qing Bao, a pair of Chinese pandas.