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# #728 | Weird Girls, Artist Corporations & Background Brands
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/727-weird-girls-artist-corporations-background-brands/
- Published: 2026-07-03T15:11:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-03T15:22:18.000Z
- Author: Protein
- Tags: Supplement

We’re surrounded by huge amounts of discourse on human versus artificial intelligence – on how brands and individuals can use AI to amplify creativity rather than replace it. From Pope Leo’s ecclesiastical essay to A24’s recent collaboration with Google DeepMind, the conversation keeps circling the same axis: intelligence, optimisation, enhancement.

But at Protein, we’ve been looking the other way. Not toward smarter systems, but toward what AI reveals about our own stupidity – and whether that word might deserve a second look. In an age obsessed with information, what happens to the value of not knowing? Of having fewer answers, and better questions? As John Waters once put it, “Sometimes, stupid and cute are enough.”

**You can find the highlights and recording from our STUPID FORUM** [**here**](https://www.protein.xyz/are-you-stupid/)**.**

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[**SEEDS**](https://www.protein.xyz/tag/seeds/)

[Background BrandsIn an attention economy was built on interruption, the next competitive advantage may be creating something people simply choose to leave on.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-dc5a1682-21e4-4875-acb1-4132436885a3.png)Protein XYZNatalie Podaima![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/LowDemandMediaTaxonomy-NataliePodaima-June26-1-d6e77eca-6deb-4e7a-a85d-563bcd36d019.png)](https://www.protein.xyz/background-brands/)

[Hardware With CharacterOld devices reveal what’s missing from technology today.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-6a8fe177-f626-4ba9-9f6d-aa4bdca68681.png)Protein XYZAmir Gamble![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design-1-1-dfc24efa-8edb-42e3-9c73-9ce5db27b08c.png)](https://www.protein.xyz/hardware-with-character/)

[The New Weird GirlWhat was once read as social exclusion is now coded as currency and taste.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-7779e360-34a4-462d-bb9e-e16564211270.png)Protein XYZNyx Joy![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/Image-1462113222-b7a228a0-0789-4307-b03f-00ac199110da.webp)](https://www.protein.xyz/the-new-weird-girl/)

[Artist CorporationsAn interview Yancey Strickler on his latest project – a new legal framework for artists – and what it reveals about the future of the online world.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-f586d72f-603a-4285-a469-aa83d3a255a7.png)Protein XYZProtein![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-06-15-at-22.04.14-ba4a1d2e-904c-40b3-b49d-2cab010c0756.png)](https://www.protein.xyz/artist-corporations/)

[Pencil Against The MachineSasha Wizansky’s magazine embraces graphite, paper and constraint – a reminder of what thinking by hand still unlocks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-8b7f4820-5dac-45ed-8626-a3c25f927d81.png)Protein XYZProtein![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-06-10-at-12.50.55-1-cd06a2fa-2f48-4681-9caa-1403ef196e2b.png)](https://www.protein.xyz/pencil-against-the-machine/)

[Broken ProductionA death linked to a Kartik Research scouting trip exposes a fashion industry driven by fast imagery, where the demand for “real” production is outpacing the systems meant to support it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/icon/protein-logo-alpha-3-76e8779d-335b-4309-ab31-aeb7217151f6.png)Protein XYZProtein![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-06-08-at-18.11.01-c58add30-9e3c-4f63-809c-68e337b9edc5.png)](https://www.protein.xyz/broken-production/)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-07-03-at-15.58.58.png)

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