Feels like that trick got tired years ago.

Remember that guy Mattress Mack from Houston? He went viral during hurricane Harvey for opening his stores as shelters. That attention actually helped his business a ton and funded more charity work. Viral fame isn't always a bad deal, it depends on how you handle it. Some people use the platform to do real good or boost their cause. The insomnia part comes from the weirdos in the comments, not the fame itself.

Rolled my eyes at meme history stuff for the longest time. But seeing a dumb joke turn into something serious like a protest symbol really hits different. It makes you realize these things aren't just throwaway fun, they have real power. When a meme I like gets twisted into something I hate, I usually just step back and let it go. Trying to control how others use it never works out, so I focus on the original meaning for myself.

That freedom to say no is PRICELESS. My buddy turned down a toxic client last minute, and it somehow landed him a retainer with their competitor.

I caught a segment on NPR last week about how Amazon's top-rated products are often boosted by fake reviews. It's hilarious that we'll drop hundreds on a blender because it has 4.5 stars from strangers who might have gotten it for free. Same with restaurant apps, where a few negative reviews can tank a place even if the food is decent. We've outsourced our judgment to algorithms and influencers, and half the time they're just shilling for clicks. Remember when people actually used to try things based on word of mouth from friends? Now it's all about the aggregate score, even if it's fabricated.