So why are people losing their mess over a hot woman in genes. I mean jeans. Why TF would American Eagle run an add that was purposefully calling back to Nazi propaganda. People just need to get some hobbies.

They would have lost their collective shit had they lived in the Abercrombie and Fitch days. What about all those Calvin Klein ads?

8/1/2025 9:08:34 AM

idk

America certainly has a nasty history with eugenics movement as well. My guess would be that some don't like AE making light of an issue that could take a dark turn by trying to be punny. It probably doesn't help that President Evil has mentioned who he thinks has "good genes" before.

So far this doesn't seem to be impacting AE's sales tho

8/1/2025 9:56:56 AM

It could have easily been Beyoncé talking about good genes and it still would have fit with the theme of the ad. I guess maybe they just shouldn’t have picked someone so Arian looking?

I made this thread here, but there is a really good Atlantic article that TGL posted that talks to the larger issues going on behind the “outrage” for this ad.

8/1/2025 10:24:36 AM

Yeesh, if people are looking for a reason to get mad, there are a million other way better reasons

[Edited on August 1, 2025 at 10:46 AM. Reason : My youngest saw Rapunzel and calls Eugene "Blue Jean"]

8/1/2025 10:45:02 AM

^^ Context is important, and shouldn't be overlooked.

Also, minimizing and downplaying something that can so easily take a dark turn is dangerous. People realize this. Joking about something leads to desensitization which can lead to easier "acceptance" further down the road.


^ Agree, there are bigger issues at hand.

[Edited on August 1, 2025 at 10:48 AM. Reason : slippery slope and whatnot]

8/1/2025 10:46:06 AM

I agree, and could eventually see it taking a dark turn maybe. It just feels like there are already so many things that have definitely taken a dark turn and are already in the danger zone.

8/1/2025 10:48:10 AM

This stuff doesn't generally trigger me, but I do notice it.

Another instance of this that always sticks with me is the Disney Cars and Planes movies (which I love). No brown eyes anywhere except amongst minor side characters and foreigners.

8/1/2025 11:51:58 AM

People with blue eyes are at much higher risk of ocular melanoma. You call that good genes?!

8/1/2025 1:03:19 PM

Supposedly no one knows what it's like, to be the bad man, to be the sad man, behind blue eyes

8/1/2025 1:49:34 PM

They should make that into a commercial.

8/1/2025 2:20:55 PM

I see more people talking about other people talking about it, than people talking about it

8/1/2025 7:04:25 PM

I haven't heard anyone talking about it or talking about other people talking about it in real life.

8/1/2025 7:24:06 PM

Quote :

" So why are people losing their mess over a hot woman in genes. I mean jeans. Why TF would American Eagle run an add that was purposefully calling back to Nazi propaganda. People just need to get some hobbies."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trading_up_the_chain

Trading up the chain is a marketing and propaganda tactic of deliberately inducing circular reporting, by seeding a message or claim in a less-credible medium, with the intent of it being quoted and repeated by publications (or people) who appeal to a wider audience. Those more-authoritative sources are then cited, to build up the message's credibility and publicize it further.[1][2][3]

Everything has worked this way for 15 years.

8/2/2025 5:59:46 AM

Quote :

"[1][2][3]"

8/2/2025 9:35:54 AM

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/trump-sydney-sweeney-republican-american-eagle-1236336749/

That's not a scarlett letter you want.

8/4/2025 1:18:46 PM