This Pizza is Bullshit

In a world where stories no longer reflect reality but replace it, we’re drowning in hyperreality—a vibe-driven economy where shallow symbols like pizza parties and viral hashtags overshadow meaningful change. Drawing on Baudrillard’s theory of simulacra, I explore how narratives, AI, and algorithms dominate our perception of truth, from Starbucks’ performative activism to the illusion of the American Dream. The danger? Our collective obsession with feel-good gestures over substance leaves us with empty symbols and unfulfilled promises.

But there’s hope. By understanding these hyperrealities, we can harness their power—not to manipulate, but to lead and inspire. The storyteller holds the key to shaping a better world in this post-truth landscape. The question is: will we use this power wisely, or will we keep settling for pizza Fridays?

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Housing market data positive despite Powell’s Grinch act by Logan Mohtashami for HousingWire

HousingWireHousingWire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell played the Grinch last week for the housing market, sending mortgage rates higher after his remarks at the Fed presser on Wednesday. Despite this, we had positive data on existing home sales, purchase applications, and our weekly pending contract figures. Total active listings are…

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Two charts that explain why Texas housing markets have stalled by Jeff Andrews for HousingWire

HousingWireHousingWire Relatively cheap housing, low taxes, looser COVID-19 restrictions and an influx of major employers turned Texas housing markets into hotspots after the pandemic began in March 2020.  There weren’t many metro areas that rivaled the boom in Austin. The emerging technology sector brought wealth from the West Coast and…

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Anywhere settles lawsuit tied to Telephone Consumer Protection Act complaint by Brooklee Han for HousingWire

HousingWireHousingWire After more than five years of back and forth, Anywhere and the plaintiffs in the Bumpus Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) suit have finally reached a proposed settlement. According to a notice filed last week and entered into the court docket on Thursday, the parties have reached a “class-wide…

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