<
https://boingboing.net/2023/05/11/diving-into-the-anti-sunscreen-movement.html>
'The sun-worshipping, anti-sunscreen "wellness" movement is on the rise, fueled
by TikTok and Instagram, of course. While such ideas aren't new, they are
gaining new traction as wellness influencers and conspirituality grifters
spread the message across social movement platforms.
Glossy explains:
For years, a faction of wellness influencers has advocated that their
followers avoid sunscreen altogether. In the past year, anti-sunscreen
voices online have been intensified by a combination of concerns about
product recall news and social media algorithms that reward sensationalist,
emotion-driven content and have also boosted claims about topics such as
vaccines. As a result, sunscreen brands and a new contingent of
science-focused influencers are fighting back.
Many of the anti-sunscreen and pro-sun folks on TikTok go well beyond quite
rational concerns about product recalls and the potential harm of certain
chemicals that are in some sunscreens. It makes sense to seek out safe and
effective sunscreens, but some folks on TikTok are eschewing sunscreen
altogether and touting the health benefits of sun exposure, saying that
sunshine is "medicine," and asserting that it can cure pretty much anything
that ails you. I've seen folks on TikTok saying that sunshine can improve your
metabolism, immune system, bone density, insulin sensitivity, muscle mass, and
mood. One wellness TikTok influencer even claimed that ninety percent of
autoimmune conditions can be cured by diet and lifestyle—which includes getting
"adequate sun" in your "light diet." Some anti-sunscreen social media
influencers also spread conspiracy theories claiming that the "powers that be"
invented the "lie" that "sunburns can cause cancer," because, as one said, "the
people that sell the panic are the people who sell the cure—sunscreen." One
wellness influencer said very emphatically, "The sun does NOT cause skin
cancer," and encouraged her audience to spend more time in the sun, without
sunscreen or any other kind of protection.'
Via Cass M, who wrote "I can’t even…the absolute ignorance of these people is
astounding and an example of magical thinking at its best."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
