eating ourselves whole

A commercial for Meta was playing on TV. I looked up from our jigsaw puzzle. “Wow,” I said. “What is it?” my best friend asked. “This commercial for Meta,” I said. “It’s really pulling out all the stops. Don’t you remember how much you loved using Facebook back in the day? Didn’t you love Instagram? We’ve always been here with you!” Like Footprints in the Sand. I rolled my eyes. My best friend was laughing. Nostalgia for 2008? Don’t break your arm reaching for that collective goodwill—a savings account that was depleted quite a while ago. We cackled. “It’s the same idea behind the Ray-Ban Wayfarers thing,” I continued, “using this iconic piece of Americana to foster trust in Meta glasses—” “Only an idiot would wear those,” the teenager said, standing from the couch and turning to face me. I informed him that many idiots are wearing those, yes. “Why?” he asked me. “Just so they can help the government spy on them?” Taken aback, I stared at him. I frowned. “Yes, exactly,” I said. “All…