😨 Does exposure therapy work?

Happy Monday! It’s August 7 — people are talking about the Kai Cenat giveaway riot in NYC, the pros and cons of exposure therapy, and more.

As always, we’ve summarized and organized the different shades of perspective, so you can see the big picture quickly.

🎮 In the news: The Kai Cenat giveaway riot

Internet streaming celebrity Kai Cenat hosted a giveaway in NYC’s Union Square, and it ended in utter chaos. Who’s to blame?

🎮 CNS News: Twitch and YouTube streamer Kai Cenat is facing criminal charges after he hosted a giveaway event in Union Square that became a riot.

🎮 Twitter user @kinggsoundtrax said the result is unfair — the people who were rioting seemed to get off scot-free.

🎮 And NYC mayor Eric Adams added that “outside agitators” might have fueled the riot. He also warned parents about the dangers of social media.

🎮 In the NYT, a fan who came to the event said it was mostly Cenat’s fault, though. Cenat could have planned the event better, and in a more open space.

🎮 The Daily Beast: Either way, Kai Cenat is sorry. He apologized to the people and businesses that the riots impacted.

😨 Cultural trend: Does exposure therapy work?

Exposure therapy is all about exposing yourself directly to the things that scare you the most. But does it really work?

😨 According to psychiatry.org, roughly 30% of adults experience an anxiety disorder (like a fear of spiders) at some point in their lives.

😨 Healthline says exposure therapy is the fix. It's where a therapist exposes you to something that scares you — but in a controlled, safe environment.

😨 But Psychology Today disagrees. Fear is a point-of-view problem — so you have to alter your viewpoint to conquer it. No "technique" will ever be enough!

😨 Forbes believes in the practice. Some people can conquer their fears only by facing them directly — exposure therapy prevents the vicious cycle of anxiety.

😨 Stacy Smith Counseling says it's a good tool, but not a cure-all. You need other forms of therapy to address the root problems of your anxiety.

Quick hits from today & yesterday

🎬 Oppenheimer reached $500M at the global box office, breaking the record for a film set during WW2. (CNN)

🚀 In response to a Ukrainian strike on a Russian tanker, Russia launched a missile and drone attack at Ukraine. (AP News)

⚽ Julie Ertz announced her U.S. Women’s National Team retirement after a heartbreaking loss to Sweden in the World Cup round of 16. (ESPN)

🚔 Ex-Minneapolis police officer Tou Thao was sentenced to 4 years, 9 months in prison for his involvement in George Floyd's death. (Fox News)

That’s it for today! Reply at [email protected] with your takes, topic suggestions, or anything at all. Here at Shades we’re trying something new – quick summaries from different points of view. We’d love to hear what you think.