Summer is a time for fun, yet here we are, bombarded by the same tired spins from the likes of CNN and MSNBC, gushing over yet another “sexy celeb.” They know exactly what they’re doing—using these narratives to distract us from real issues at hand. While corporations like TMZ and Entertainment Tonight flood our feeds with photos and facts about folks basking in the sun, they conveniently sidestep why their audiences should be paying attention to actual news. It’s a classic case of opiate for the masses.

What they present as a harmless escape is really an agenda-driven effort to keep us couch-ridden and unaware. Instead of journalism that challenges the status quo, we get an endless loop of clickbait that pulls the wool over our eyes. The portrayal of celebrities in bright bikinis or hiking gear becomes a shiny distraction from the impending crises—be it social issues or political misdeeds. Corporate media is more interested in vying for our attention than engaging with our minds.

Even through the haze of these vapid stories, one question remains: What are we missing while we’re busy scrolling through those “hot shots?” The blue skies and sunny pictures can’t blind us forever. We need to demand more from our media outlets than just quick hits of glamour. Let’s push back against the setup that distracts us from holding power accountable. In an era of infinite information, we deserve narratives that matter.