New Yorker cover going viral (millennial woman, childless, cats, drinking alone in apt on zoom)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
by Adrian Tomine, “Love Life.”





What’s interesting about this illustration is the scenario it depicts—slovenly room, pills, alcohol, junk food, loner, slob, in front of computer—is portrayed as shameful and an object of ridicule for men e.g. incel. But on the cover of The New Yorker, the woman is portrayed as dignified, strong and stoic.

Wow, this really is a Rorschach test.


Change nothing except make it a white male with a Monster energy drink in his hand. Incel loser.

Nah. The male equivalent of this would be a nicely dressed (from the waist up) handsome man with a craft beer in his hand and bigger weights on the floor. Not intel loser.

[Anonymous]

It is utterly bizarre how many people on this board don’t understand this illustration and/or take it personally. The New Yorker really is for my bubble.

[Anonymous]

Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do yo all think that blue thing on the floor is? It looks like a sippy cup for a toddler.

Never been to New York, eh?

No, I have not.

those are the little things that make the cover New York: coffee cup, I heart NY takeout bag, tiny studio ... she’s a young New York striver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

She’s a woman of color. Hoop earrings are not a hard marker for age. I’m Afro-Latina and late 40s. I will be buried in my hoops.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

She’s a woman of color. Hoop earrings are not a hard marker for age. I’m Afro-Latina and late 40s. I will be buried in my hoops.

I’m white and I have the same hoops. Why are you so focused on her race/ethnicity? It’s not really the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She had an instapot, le creuset Dutch oven, weights next to cheetos, and pink fuzzy slippers. I like her. The fact that she has lotion does suggest she uses it to avoid ashy skin.

I thought that bottle was hand sanitizer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

Another hint for the medical profession is all the masks on the floor. Or it's drawn during the COVID pandemic. Not sure which would be more topical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

Another hint for the medical profession is all the masks on the floor. Or it's drawn during the COVID pandemic. Not sure which would be more topical.

I don't think a medical professional would dispose of hazardous waste on the floor of their home.

[Anonymous]

I don't drink, I don't have cats, but I have three kids. I still identify with the original image.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

Another hint for the medical profession is all the masks on the floor. Or it's drawn during the COVID pandemic. Not sure which would be more topical.

I mean, of course it's drawn during the pandemic...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Re: New Yorker cover going viral (millennial woman, childless, cats, drinking alone in apt on zoom)

by Adrian Tomine, “Love Life.”

Well, all I saw was just wonderful possibilities here...

- Millennial woman, young, independent
- Now having the opportunity and time to get to know a date well because there is going to be conversation and one-on-one focus, instead of hooking up and ghosting.
- Doesn't have to put out physically so can totally skip shaving or wearing uncomfortable shoes
- CHILD FREE - YAY!!
- DOG FREE - YAY, YAY - doesn't have to walk the cats
- Can drink without wondering how she will get home. She can drink what she wants to drink. She is not a lush chugging from a bottle. She has a nice martini or wine in her glass.
- Can go on many dates because she does not have to put the effort. time, money to go on an actual date
- Can end a date easily enough and be home
- Not spending money, time, effort and dresses on dates. She is not just a body anymore. She is open to dating remotely. She knows what makes her look good on Zoom.

Slightly messy home BUT so what? She has toilet paper, eating take outs, getting starbucks, lifting weights, using masks and sanitizer, keeping safe by doing remote dating. I bet she is able to date loads of people remotely, suss them out and not waste time with idiotic men.

She has a real chance to find a great guy and a great relationship now because of the way dating has changed now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I see no problem with this. And I am a 55 yr old SAHM.

I see this as a young working woman working remotely during pandemic. Her usual cleaning lady is not coming so her apt is messy. She is eating at home instead of in restaurants and office cafeteria so all the take-out containers. And she is not been able to get herself waxed because she is not dating IRL. She can let it all go because she is only responsible for herself and her cats, but not kids and a household. I see freedom.

Also, the human population is not on the verge of extinction. There is no reason for people to procreate unless they want to.

I do not see someone who is sad. And women do not have to have kids to be complete.

50-year old mother of two. This is what I see, too. Freedom from expectations.

57 y.o. mom here -- I'm with the posters above. This is a representation of one person's experience during the pandemic; it doesn't purport to be the best life or the only life choice. The illustration is titled "Love Life" and it made me smile and think of my oldest DC's pandemic dating experience. I'm a New Yorker subscriber and seeing the cover each week is always a treat. When our kids were younger, the cover illustrations, strategically left out on our breakfast table, would often spark interesting conversations, as this one is here. Namaste, y'all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:by Adrian Tomine, “Love Life.”

What’s interesting about this illustration is the scenario it depicts—slovenly room, pills, alcohol, junk food, loner, slob, in front of computer—is portrayed as shameful and an object of ridicule for men e.g. incel. But on the cover of The New Yorker, the woman is portrayed as dignified, strong and stoic.

Wow, this really is a Rorschach test.

Change nothing except make it a white male with a Monster energy drink in his hand. Incel loser.

You mean an in shape latino guy drinking a cocktail on a zoom date? Not an incel. Try harder.

My in-shape Latino DS (age 26) has gone on Zoom dates. Not an incel . . . but maybe because he doesn't drink Monster? He does love his little sister's acai smoothies, though. (Yup, we're all one big happy family with HS, college and young adult kids home for the COVID holidays. Catch us on the Hallmark channel -- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa When He Filled Our Stockings With Wifi Extenders)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me clear this up. Pile of books on her left, silhouette of a man on screen...BUT, the dead giveaway is the size of her hoop earrings (age 25). The medical gloves on floor hints that she may be in the medical field. The disarray is funny, but not unmanageable. Couple of prescription bottles may indicate a chronic illness; immuno issue, migraines, anxiety, whatever. Two cats doesn't mean a thing, yet it's purposely done to create maniacal speculation that her life is somehow less gratifying than yours.

Grad student on a zoom date.

She’s a woman of color. Hoop earrings are not a hard marker for age. I’m Afro-Latina and late 40s. I will be buried in my hoops.

Got you, mija.