The Problem With Goop, and Why Controversy Makes It Stronger

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Goop has become the subject of countless controversies thanks to its outlandish claims and downright baffling products -- so why is Gwyneth Paltrow’s wellness and lifestyle empire more powerful and lucrative than ever?
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[@thetake]

The first 1,000 people to use this link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare: skl.sh/thetake08211

[@PGCDs]

I want 1 month free of Goop

[@Des_.]

@@PGCDs lol whut. After watching the whole video 😂

[@PGCDs]

@@Des_. Issa jokes

[@Des_.]

@@PGCDs oh, lol

[@carolinecameron4840]

It's remarkable how much Gwyneth Paltrow DOESN'T know about her own products in interviews! If I was a CEO I would at least do a little research into what I'm promoting!

[@barbaravxbxr]

That is not the case. She has no reliable source to endorse what she's saying, so it's way easy for her, legally speaking, to have vague responses. Don't be so naive.

[@peachesnscreams9325]

@@barbaravxbxr That was such an oddly rude response, touch some grass.

[@jayl0v3ly]

@@barbaravxbxr I get what you’re trying to say from a legal perspective but that still doesn’t excuse how Gwyneth sounds in interviews. Calling Op naive for making that observation was unnecessary and rude. It DOES look bad for a CEO to get on TV and show how embarrassingly little she knows about her own products. There are many many companies similar to GOOP that make unsubstantiated claims about treatments and products that they sell. They just have to finesse their wording so legally they’re still covered, while not sounding like they don’t know wtf they’re talking about. Gwyneth literally says “I don’t know” and “I’m not sure” for several products and services on HER website. Sometimes she even looks surprised when asked about a product as if she didn’t even know it was on her website. That’s why you heard the interviewer making the joke “Is this the first time you’ve been on the website?” That’s embarrassing. It’s even more embarrassing though that the consumers still buy into it.

[@julesdm6905]

It's part of her brand.

[@mysteriousgirl46]

I think the success of her company shows that the customers don't care whether she knows what she's talking about it not.

[@potmki6601]

You don't need a new cream or bottle with a amethyst. I'd argue that it's not a 15 minute mediatation a day that you need either. You need shorter work hours, bigger pay, lower rent, free education and medicine, a public school, a boarding school or a nanny and a spouse that does equial amount of chores. Optionally - moving to country that provides for basic needs, supports families with kids and has a good basic income and unions culture and/or never marrying or having kids - the latter have proven to be the most effective self-care for women. And the first part in just my assumption that a person can take only so much exploitation and neglect of their basic rights without being permanently sad and tired. Fighting patriarchy and capitalism where you are is also an option, but the harder one.

[@matxalenc8410]

You're absolutely right.

[@reflectsonlife]

So aptly put!

[@pinklemonade9215]

Hit the nail on the head.

[@pimentacitrica9883]

I'm screenshoting this because it's such a good synthesis. I am someone who moved to another country with better quality of life and a welfare state and I can attest the changes it had on my own health, mental health and overall happiness are incredible.

[@TheMidwestAtheist]

Agreed. But, sadly, people are too often told they are virtually powerless to fight. And so turning to the likes of goop is way easier. I can get so mad at progressive media sometimes as it so often accuses politicians of being "corrupt." Even when they say what they mean in that these politicians are looking out for the interest of their donors and not their voters, it is discouraging. We're told we need to fight while also being told our opponent is virtually unbeatable. We need to do better about our messaging.

[@melancholissa]

I once saw goop was selling a dress that "cured depression" for about $200 and that really pissed me off. Depression is a serious mental illness!!

[@rahbeeuh]

Someone could really benefit more by using that $200 to pay for therapy or a support animal.

[@melancholissa]

@@rahbeeuh I agree. The worst part is that Gwyneth doesn't NEED that money! She's already a millionaire...

[@bobbobbo5278]

Just hearing about this is worsening my depression lmao 💀

[@rahbeeuh]

@@melancholissa right! If she quit today she would be just fine. It's really sad that her company exists the way it does.

[@chloecamp8714]

Part of why the company is surviving & growing the way it has been is bc of the marketing tactic/scheme that has been created -- very dry wit that's easily overlooked & mistaken for serious commentary. It makes some ppl think they're extra smart, part of the small group that "gets it"....a customer, if not loyal will at least return. On the other end is outrage to help push the brand name into the media. The dress that "cures depression"....it's very comical to me that a dress description caused so much outrage. It's even funnier to me that there's people who don't get it, even after they've mulled it over & typed it out. So.... Morals aside, it is genius. And it wouldn't hurt to remind people I could start a business & call it 'organics of the states', put a stamp on products for companies that pay me to review their products. It also would not hurt anyone to read up on exactly what the FDA requires for approval. And it won't hurt to keep this in mind: broken glass will likely cut you.... But no one is up in arms over glass containers not having a warning, or the surgeon general not making sure this goes through testing before a company be allowed to put such a warning on packaging. Not that I expect anyone In the comments of a KZbin video to understand any of this, just food for thought.... Maybe a light bulb will go off. And NO, I'm not a fan of "goop", for the most part I think it's just over priced, over hyped stuff.

[@realSimoneCherie]

These products exist for people who have enough money to be completely unconcerned with how effective or helpful a product actually is. Whether it's health & wellness or housewares, you aren't the target demographic unless you regularly spend $40 on salt and pepper shakers, or require precious gems with your water.

[@rahbeeuh]

The only precious gems I put in my water are ice cubes

[@jennyknepper]

The salt and pepper shakers comment cracked me up. So many people I know. 🙄Thank you for the laugh.

[@yt-sh]

ah natural selection

[@entretenimiento3347]

True but we can also equivalente woth middle or lower middle class and vitamins

[@dr.braxygilkeycruises1460]

Why buy salt and pepper shakers? They are free on the table at McDonald's. 😐 🤔 Perhaps I shouldn't have said that. 😬🤐 🤣😂🤣

[@villainoir]

It'd be interesting to see a wider perspective such as how Western wellness appropriates Hinduism & Buddhism

[@Des_.]

Spirituality, rock crystals, and being a witch is their quirky aesthetic. And when that passes they slowly evolve out of it to fit the new trends.

[@TokioTE]

💯 yes, and generally from the Eastern world. "Yoga, meditation, aromatherapy" and certain massages, oils, tea, turmeric, henna, Ayurvedic / herbal remedies, vegetarianism (and other traditional 'superfoods' the Western world seemingly just discovered), and other activities (not necessarily wellness) like pottery and pole dance, and certain aesthetics (clothing, jewellery (nose rings, toe rings), 'namaste' hand pose, incense, statues/patterns/fabrics), and maybe inclusion of some more spiritual elements like destiny / energy / karma / face-reading / astrology / numerology / acceptance of life and death / happiness from letting go, simplicity, minimalism. And in films, the quirky / earthy / carefree / cool / chill character has this lifestyle, but there's usually no reference to the origins of the way they are (unless they spent some time travelling in Asia or something) :) I would love a video on this topic!

[@greyLeicester]

Catholism also exist in the East. Hope you get what I mean

[@kittykittybangbang9367]

I mean look at the hippies

[@TokioTE]

@@kittykittybangbang9367 interesting point, would be interesting to see the effect of the Beatles going to India in 1968 on culture, the Wiki page already mentions some of this e.g. it "changed Western attitudes to Indian spirituality' and was their most productive song-writing time. The peak of the hippie movement was apparently 1967-1969, with early hippies from 1958

[@psychopathetic5341]

I love how for a "alternative medicine based website" that primarily appropriates Eastern and Afro-Carribean cultures (India, China, Caribbean, etc) staff, customers, practitioners and experts are sooooooooooo overwhelmingly white.

[@mariamshalvashvili8108]

Was about to write that! It’s incredibly whitewashed and misleading, to say the least. Basically taking these concepts and practices and westernizing them without understanding them properly

[@psychopathetic5341]

@@mariamshalvashvili8108 Somewhat relatedly I feel kinda bad for people who really want to discover and explore these alternate channels, and maybe connect with another culture on an appreciative, rather than an appropriative, level, but the only channels that they easily can access are these bs Westernised approaches that either don't often fully understand what they're doing or wilfully scamming people.

[@Alias_Anybody]

@@mariamshalvashvili8108 Most of that stuff has no basis in reality no matter the skin colour of the user or practitioner though.

[@stvk99]

this is definitely far more concerning issue than people dying and getting diseases from their products

[@psychopathetic5341]

@@stvk99 If you read what I wrote again, you will notice how I didn't say "This is the *most* serious/concerning thing". Their products being harmful is definitely more concerning, but things can have be of concern in more than one way.

[@jessgatsby]

currently part of my self care has included: taking care of my skin, sitting outside after work to enjoy nature, and giving myself small pockets of time to work on my hobbies without making them feel like they need to be perfect. Especially art, which has always been a hobby of mine, used to give me stress because I wanted my products to be perfect, but now I try to just enjoy the process.

[@whatever96]

Yes 👏 this is the kind of thing I'm realizing the importance of as I get older. Just taking time to take care of myself and enjoy none demanding activities that help me relax.

[@danime35]

Appreciate this comment so much

[@johanna7254]

“We believe you should look chic while you work out” Gwen please. It’s a miracle when I can even get myself on the exercise bike after a day of work. Don’t tell me I have to dress up for it too 😅

[@cazia9]

I’m a woman who sweats HARD when I exercise… if I put on makeup pre workout I’m going in looking like Alice Eve and coming out looking like Alice Cooper!

[@lilybaker732]

@@cazia9 LMAO good one

[@Diane_666]

It makes even less sense when you work out at home, lol.

[@joaninha3484]

Best response!

[@iprobablyforgotsomething]

Right?! Me, too. . Puts me in kind of how I always laugh scornfully at those women's deoderant ads that say they "work hard through your hard workout!" ...as the made-up chic walks steadily at a low-medium pace on a flat-incline treadmill in an obviously air-conditioned gym. Yeah. . I don't use aluminum-based regular deoderants anymore (no more pit stains! yay!), but when I did, I used men's in scents like "ocean breeze" or whatever, because they actually sorta worked. . And while I can appreciate a flattering pair of gym-sweats, they'll be no make up or cute crop-tops on me for my workout; if my belly's sticking out, I don't want anyone seeing it! And I won't have the energy to suck it in the whole time. Heck, I'm there so I can workout hard enough that I can eventually be *elsewhere* wearing cute clothes and not having a gut to suck in!

[@keepingitkianatural]

She knows exactly what she's doing and deserves all the smoke that comes her way.

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

She's literally no better or worse than people who have essential oil parties and sell "nutritional supplements." If anything, she's "better" because at least Goop isn't a pyramid scheme. I'm not a fan, but she doesn't deserve the level of hate she gets.

[@keepingitkianatural]

@@Bunny-ch2ul you're 100% right about the essential oils people and they need to be held accountable too.

[@lepetitchat123]

Greed really corrupts her soul

[@barbaravxbxr]

Who could imagine that living in a society who prioritizes money over people would eventually lead individuals to spread misinformation in order do make profits...

[@ajae...]

Me, because it's been happening for centuries.

[@mugtiles]

We currently are. I am afraid.

[@please_im_a_staaar]

Yeah, who knew. When they showed that person standing with a poster "Vax mandates = communism" I thought "Are you trying to scare me, a working class person struggling to survive because of capitalism with communism?! Bold choice."

[@ireysword]

Gotta say the transition into the skillshare app was a little tone deaf within the subject of the video. I don't mind ads and sponsored videos. But critisizing GP for selling useless wellness shit and then plugging a service for amongst other things wellness classes seems pretty hypocritical. Just do the ad normally.

[@DC-wk7yo]

I do appreciate the take and it's analysis, but I think your tone def / hypocrisy point hits the nail on the head as to my main complaints about this channel. There is lots of deconstructing of societal issues and media (which I appreciate), but they don't deconstruct their own biases or how they are participating in what they are critiquing themselves at all. It's sorta disappointing

[@DC-wk7yo]

Like I see them making an effort to expand past white feminism to intersectionality, but it's done from a place a white privilege and tone. With no acknowledgment of how it is going to be incomplete by default due to the whiteness of the channel (even if individual videos are written by bipoc women)

[@alejandrocervantes3624]

I sniffed n' skipped it as soon as the voice over went on to first person 😹😹😹👀👀👀

[@goldenduck3931]

tbh im liking how some channels would just straight up acknowledge their ads as ads like "our sponsor today is skillshare...". I don't see how it's still effective to pretend like the product/service is the best thing they have since sliced bananas. We've been consuming youtube ads for decades now, we know that's not sincere. It just awkward now. Unless the transition is self-aware funny.

[@joaninha3484]

I felt that too

[@runjumpdie]

Pretty insane how many times she was unable to answer basic questions about the shit she’s selling. If I were someone who could afford expensive healthcare and beauty products, I would spend my money on things that objectively work.

[@julesdm6905]

It's part of her brand that she's so elite, she's out of touch with her company's merchandise.

[@zucchinigreen]

It's also to avoid any legal culpability.

[@creativia6639]

@@zucchinigreen Now, that makes more sense...! If she never claims anything, she cannot be called out on it later. Now all she can be punished for is not knowing much.

[@Black_pearl_adrift]

She probably does! But selling fake stuff also makes her millions

[@chaaaargh]

i hate the fact that companies like her are the reason wellness is so capitalized, when in reality people don't need to spend absurd amounts of money just to care for themselves, that's not what wellness is. she's crazy lol

[@toomuchinformation]

She's not crazy. Just savvy. Using her image to build something profitable when the acting roles dry up.

[@CamSiv996]

@@toomuchinformation yea. Crazy for shit like Goop for Middle Class, or how to live a lifestyle to anyone who isn't like her.

[@lepetitchat123]

@@toomuchinformation earning money via deception and lies. What a way to make a living. What a way to set an example for her kids. She could have just retired graciously from all that money she earned by making movies

[@RITardNation]

I love how "GP" knows NOTHING about the products she's pushing, especially considering how she's literally the face and namesake of the company.

[@camelopardalis84]

Did you know that she needed to be informed by a guest what a vagina is? After months, if not years of recommending vagina steams based on - alledgedly - her own experience, she found out she'd been referring to vulvae as "vaginas".

[@mediokritet]

Gwen: sells grotesquely expensive "anti aging" shit products Also Gwen: bakes and smokes her skin with sun and cigarettes

[@carbine090909]

She smokes?

[@nah_.]

@@carbine090909 wouldn't be surprised if she does

[@narcie13]

At least she applies sunscreen correctly! Oh wait…

[@camelopardalis84]

Also Gwyneth: Talks about how you should steam your vagina and how she does it herself until she is informed what the vagina is. (She was steaming her vulva.)

[@erynlasgalen1949]

Sunlight is a great natural source of vitamin D, which boosts the immune system. At the beginning of the COVID outbreak, I stopped applying sunscreen while doing chores outside. I preferred a few wrinkles to catching the virus. I haven't caught the virus that I know of, and I don't look like the Cryptkeeper. Perhaps the fear of the sun we've been promoting for decades is not the best thing for us.

[@iwanttomakemusicthatmovesp3415]

Sometimes, I'm grateful that not all "american's things" get into my country~

[@etorresrodz]

Same... this is such a white American ppl thing

[@rahbeeuh]

@@etorresrodz sure is and it's weird

[@ADsahara]

Same and hope this never will

[@ace-of-teacups]

These things are somewhat popular where I'm from (Brazil). I've seen a whole bunch of these around - from the steaming stuff to the jade eggs, but I think they're less popular - or at least people, in general, are poorer and less likely to spend on all that stuff. D:

[@norah4892]

Same here. And so thankful

[@lordbafford640]

As a graphic designer who worked in many advertisment agencys, I am fascinated by their marketing and design, it's perfect. It looks minimalistic, therefore luxurious and turns common items like stones, soaps and even bees into "special products". I think Gwyneth is a better businesswoman than an actress. She's turning shit into gold!

[@lepetitchat123]

Their copywriters must be on dope all the time to come up with all that BS. They really know how to make a shitty product sound "luxurious"

[@cravidana1182]

White women, white feminism, capitalization of wellness and self care for middle-class/rich (white) women. Nothing really new. Edit: Noice transition to the sponsor ad Skillshare.

[@jessicavictoriacarrillo7254]

I was looking for this comment

[@trinat347]

......🔥

[@happygucci5094]

Message

[@iwant2haveu]

Yeah, that was weird xD

[@ladyoni]

I feel like it is also hard to separate its' resilience from society's tendency to criticize and dismiss the opinion and judgement of women. Unfortunately, so many of the main targeted demographic(Wasp women) are used to being attacked for everything from pumpkin spice, to demanding autonomy over their own body. At the same time they have the power that comes of being white, and wealthy and it's the perfect mix to create a customer body who is loyal despite this inconvenient thing called facts.

[@fini5294]

Yes, exactly!

[@ardnas994]

I've never seen a more accurate description of a charlatan.

[@creativia6639]

Hm... But if the shoe fits...~

[@lepetitchat123]

I wish she would end up prosecuted like Elizabeth Holmes

[@wvu05]

Speaking of the take, I literally did a double take after I heard how much those dumbbells cost and rewound to make sure I heard right. You could buy gold bars for less than that.

[@trishc4331]

Right! Couldn’t believe it

[@leomanoban3438]

Well.. I've done bee- sting therapy to cure my allergy when I was 10. My mom took me to a man who practised it. And you know what? Somehow I managed to stop having allergies. HERE IS THE THING, the man didn't CHARGE ANYTHING. The pay was voluntary...that's how you can tell between people who want to help you or profit from yoi

[@jessiec668]

In the case this video is referring to, the woman who died was getting monthly bee sting 'acupuncture' treatments. It doesn't seem like she even had a particular medical issue and rather it was supposed to be a generic stress-reducing treatment.

[@fcv4616]

I would also worry about the unsustainable extraction of natural resources just to make useless placebo products. Like the products made with shark cartilage, which there’s actually little evidence that they work, and are one of the reasons many if not most species of sharks are endangered.

[@CarlaFaccina]

It is sad to see the comments bellow. The ridiculousness of Goop give (already skeptical) people the chance to de-value the obvious benefits of yoga, meditation, traditional indigenous medicine, herbal medicine, and all the other integrative medicine.

[@ca-ke9493]

Yeah I wish the video focused more on the anti-science part rather than Goop's bastardization of integrative medicine, which they dont even sell.

[@bonanzajellybean4802]

My sentiments exactly...Another blow to the true holistic ideologies that we so desperately need...

[@KittySnicker]

My self care consists of not wasting money lol. Goop may sell you workout clothes, but it won’t do the workout for you. And I’d rather buy my favorite wine than anything on Goop. And meditation is FREE.

[@jennterry6977]

Why should I care about wealthy people scamming each other? These women are mostly wealthy and well-educated. If they want to believe this stuff, who am I to judge? Do you, boo boo. I hate the "wellness" companies that prey on people that don't know any better or have to go into debt to buy product, but that's not what this is.

[@fcv4616]

Because it creates a trend for other companies to emulate, each targeting a different demographic. And rich people are more capable of starting or perpetuating harmful trends, like opposing science.

[@jonathanbowers8964]

It is more so that there is a direct parallel between Goop and the QANON/Joe Rogan crowd. We as a society need to stop tolerating anti-vaxxers and anti-science media Personalities and politicians. We need to defend the light of science against the hordes at the gate threatening to pull us back into the dark ages.

[@fcv4616]

@@jonathanbowers8964 Well said 👏🏻

[@bascal133]

I feel like the "wellness" industry and outlets like Goop have taken advantage of a societal issue at least in the US of Women's Health not being taken seriously and treated with dignity and respect. There is a great video from John Oliver that talks about how it's more common for doctors to assume women are lying or being dramatic when they present and of them not getting as much care.

[@nonadmoon]

GooP is a perfect analogy of North America. It looks beautiful, it looks expensive but are complete crap!!

[@someoneyouprobablyknowandl9964]

And it makes a fortune out of the "wealth" of other cultures, pretending to support those cultures but not really 😀

[@Nosiblingstudios]

Major "Future Cult" vibes.

[@LunaBeth97]

The really infuriating thing about this is that since the value of these products are the placebo effect, the ridiculous pricing intensifies it so you'll have a constant base of supporters and because the placebo effect is insanely powerful it then can lead people down the dangerous path of disregarding traditional medicine. However, all of what I previously said can happen in so many formats, like Christians believing that prayer better than medical treatment, or essential oils, or yoga. The placebo effect is extremely fascinating as it can really have strong benefits. Like people recovering from cancer treatment faster because they believe that a certain thing will cause faster recovery, but in reality their belief changes their mindset, reduces stress, and they'll be more likely to do things that help their recovery. Which causes a positive feedback loop of believing something will have an effect, attributing the desired outcome to that thing rather than their own actions, feeding into that belief. If a person wants to spend exorbitant amounts on these products then I don't have much of a problem with it. However, when it targets vulnerable people to scam them and science is pushed aside is where the real problem lies.

[@TheMidwestAtheist]

I would suggest what the "ridiculous pricing" does is more so trigger sunk cost reasoning. In other words, "This has to work because I spent so much money on it" type of thinking. In fairness, that probably works much like the placebo effect, but it probably does not have quite the stress reducing effects. Otherwise, the video touched on why people spending money on goop affects even you and me (and the more vulnerable) as it encourages an anti-scientific mindset when we have so many threats (climate change, disease, etc.) that are going to require scientific solutions and, perhaps more importantly, for people to acknowledge these problems so that scientists are even allowed to do the work they need to do.

[@Diane_666]

I have to argue that yoga does have actual benefits that are scientifically proven. But of course, you shouldn't use it as an ultimate cure for everything. It's just an awesome healthy habit, like running, spending time in nature etc.

[@deanneb6925]

It’s important to remember that Gwyneth was born into extreme wealth and fame. Her mother is Blythe Danner. She has never been “normal” a day in her life. She is so far removed from reality, that she sees no issue with these actions. I have zero desire to sympathize with or understand her. She’s scamming people because she can. I also think it’s hilarious that Goop is so focused on preventing aging, when Gwyneth herself wears like a pea sized drop of sunscreen on half her face 💀 if she didn’t have the money she does, her skin would be falling off her bones or she’d have skin cancer by now.

[@melissaarchibald6587]

I'd like to point out that self-care/wellness culture is NOT new. In fact, the rise of wellness culture in the 1970s was very similar to our own with regards to the idea that you could buy your way to happiness. I think much of it comes down to America's consumption-focused culture.

[@laninfapimentel311]

@@scapegoatmiller9110 My thoughts exactly! People these days associate everything "alternative" with millenials... As a millenial who graduated from HS in 2009, I was into new age-y things for a little while, but it began in 2016 and ended in 2019. Long after Goop's inception. And I have never been able to afford their products. Maybe Millenials who are a decade older than me are buying Goop's products, but it seems to me that Gen X is more likelly to be their target audience, since Gwyneth is a Gen Xer, and probably looks aspirational to a lot of people in the same age group. Plus they have more money than us.

[@rjb9239]

Are people buying her products though?

[@norah4892]

@@rjb9239 rich people are

[@stevegeorge6880]

Got a feeling you guys are late to the party, but I'm still interested in... your take.

[@chrissiem3958]

I love the very, very end where Jimmy Kimmel asked her about 'earthing': 'So, Earthing---- I actually don't know that much about Earthing....' Then why were you LITERALLY just about to explain it then?!!?!

[@RedCaio]

"We are very open minded here, we're open to non-traditional ideas" is code for "we don't care if you're stupid, in fact we prefer it since you have to be stupid to think our stuff works"

[@bonanzajellybean4802]

I don't care for Goop's products or marketing but let's not call open-minded women stupid please. There is a better and more helpful dialogue that doesn't needlessly shame women for looking for something outside the "norm." Thanks.

[@RedCaio]

​@@bonanzajellybean4802 - I wasn't so much trying to talk about the customers as much as I was more trying to comment on the company. Goop couldn't care less about these people's ideals (some kind of quest to find non-traditional answers thinking outside the box etc.) they are just glad to have someone who'll buy their trash without asking enough questions. They're taking advantage of people who are looking for 'new remedies'.

[@bonanzajellybean4802]

@@RedCaio - I don't disagree with you. They are greedy, taking advantage and they are not grounded in functional holistic medicine in most ways. My background is in Ayurveda and it's also been a life-changing healing modality for myself and so many others. Many of whom have gone their whole lives buying into the "scientific" western medical ideology which has only made them more sick and dependent (myself included). I just get fired up when these discussions are loaded with with these sorts of parallels that might keep someone from looking into a real holistic approach. If we only relied on the reductive, patriarchal, for profit-revolving-door-corporate/political machine of western medicine we'd all be doomed.

[@XandriaRavenheart]

“We believe you should look chic while you work out.” Well too bad I practice yoga in my pyjamas and I love it.

[@camelopardalis84]

"We believe you should be allowed to look chic and allowed to want to look chick while you work out." Way better slogan. Both nicer and more likely to not be alienating.

[@BuBs1970G]

They're targeting the poor and defenseless rich people. How dare they! 😭

[@fini5294]

Hey, I think it’s a problem though if you consider that those rich people have a lot of influence in their surroundings. Also, they will subject their kids to those treatments which isn’t really fair. Every child deserves adequate medical care. I didn’t grow rich but upper middle class and because those snake oil sellers targeted people like my parents so much, I never went to see a doctor when I was a kid, I only ever got homeopathic treatments. I wasn’t vaccinated at all until I did that myself when I was 18. I got a lot of diseases as a kid that were preventable and probably spread a lot of them to kids whose parents couldn’t afford to leave sick for office, creating many problems for them. We shouldn’t underestimate the negative affect it has on all of us if wealthy people stop believing in science like that. Companies have seen a market gap in the trauma of many women who experience bad Treatment in traditional medicine. Because wealthier women are not used to fighting for a change, they are used to buying a fix, they are so susceptible to those alternative treatments and they affect us all.

[@BuBs1970G]

@@fini5294 It was a joke.

[@johnjohnson3709]

I’m a male who manages the supplements department in a independent organic, vegan, health food, store. In supplements there are some items that are nothing but snake oil but a lot of items are very good. There’s a lot of hype in the wellness industry but I very much enjoy my job.

[@abbyabroad]

I live in China and regularly use a mosquito repellent that literally contains snake oil… But it works, everyone uses it and it costs like $1.50 in any local store. I wonder what the intersection is between people who think America is the best country in the world and love Trump and demonize China… Like are these people more likely to buy these re-packaged alternative things because they’re so ignorant about what originates in Asian countries?

[@selenesanchezcavanna8131]

A rich woman making money off a scam...what could possibly go wrong?

[@pixiebells]

I'll be honest, some of these kinds of ideas seem sort of neat, (although I'm not paying hundreds of dollars for them.) I believe that crystals can have effects on mind, body and spirit. I burn sage & have a clearing crystal wand; I'm essentially a Pagan. I have used Reiki before and it has been incredibly helpful for me. I've done yoga for years & find it incredibly beneficial, nothing calms me & clears my mind the same way that yoga does. I think that taking time to take care of yourself is important for everyone. But at the same time, for example, I have an upper respiratory infection right now and I just took an antibiotic for it. I take psychiatric medication every single day so I can be at my best and I can sleep and function and go to work and do all the things I need to do. I believe in a combination of Eastern and Western medicine because they both have their places and can be useful for different things. I don't know why people have to fight and fight and fight, certain that one way is the ONLY right way.

[@DezMarivette]

Kudos to this comment, and I hope the upper respiratory infection clears up well! I agree, the blending of eastern and western medicine practices has astounding potential!

[@fini5294]

I do think though that it is highly against the idea of many Eastern practices to grossly overprice them like goop does

[@someoneyouprobablyknowandl9964]

While I'm glad that certain things have worked for you and pray that they continue to work for you...I'll also have you know that most of the religions and cultures are appropriated by shows like Goop (and other Western people who don't want to do any research). I'm a Hindu.

[@pixiebells]

@@someoneyouprobablyknowandl9964 Good point, I can absolutely see that & then they act like it was all a white person's idea. I've never used any of their things. I believed yoga came from Southeast Asia as well. It's the same idea why I'm bothered by people talking about Karma so casually when it's a legitimate spiritual belief, not just about settling squabbles or revenge.

[@shelfraawoods1785]

I wholeheartedly agree

[@Spicie95]

Ironically, Gwyneth launched this company the year after Disney released Meet the Robinson featuring a character named Goop who grew up to be a clumsy villain.

[@caitlin329]

He was called Goob; Mike Yagoobian.

[@Spicie95]

@@caitlin329 Aw, right. Well, still funny ;-D

[@zeyzey8129]

Take a shot every time Paltrow says "I don't know"

[@beethovensfidelio]

Yeah, the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow doesn’t understand what her products are in or what they contain should’ve been a major giveaway. I wouldn’t buy a product from someone who didn’t know what said product contains.

[@passiveagressive4983]

Can we talk about the poor cousin relative ‘Poosh’ ?🤔😂😂😂

[@akshataharish2431]

What is that?

[@DC-wk7yo]

Self-care is not what Gwenth is selling, it's what we at The Take is selling...aka skillshare 🙄

[@telinhajp]

Ah, finally a real important issue.

[@anu.]

Ah, finally an insightful comment.

[@eileen_a_b]

I can't believe she can't even be bothered to study up on her products for an interview where they have told her ahead of time what they're going to ask? It's like failing an open book test when you're the teacher.

[@jbtechcon7434]

They danced around an awkward point here. They mentioned that we live in a time when opinions that fly in the face of science are a political stance. Well okay, but let me assure you, arch-conservative Christian right-wingers are NOT Goop's core customer base, lol. And as much as the media portrays mistrust of vaccines as right-wing (and of course they always put the white right-wingers on camera when they're talking about anti-vax), that mistrust has long been a feature of the alternative health communities. My chiropractor, my yoga instructor, and the couple that run my fav vegan restaurant were all antivax long before covid, and they all still have their Bernie signs up.

[@antonellamR2D2]

Yes, same in Italy: far right and far left are on the same page. That tears me apart, science should not be subject to politics

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

Who names a wellness company goop?

[@rahbeeuh]

Hi! Ikr? Nice seeing you here. I sub to your channel. 🙋🏽‍♀️

[@AveryTalksAboutStuff]

@@rahbeeuh thank you so much! You rock!!

[@rahbeeuh]

@@AveryTalksAboutStuff You're welcome! Likewise 👍🏽

[@camelopardalis84]

I am not even sure if you're aware of both reasons why this is a super odd word choice.

[@KarlaIvethXD]

Also, can we talk about the cultural appropriation and gentrification of most of goop’s stuff? And eastern practices are not the opposite of science, btw, that’s a little Eurocentric point of view. A lot of of modern pharmaceuticals components are derived from indigenous knowledge of plants. It just happened that they were never compensated or credited about those "discoveries"

[@rjb9239]

Thank you! Yes!

[@GreenMM_11]

QVC is the OG when it comes to "spending money as self care" on health and beauty products... The act of spending luxuriously is all part of the course of treatment.

[@taylorwilliams4179]

Im willing to be open to believing quite a lot of "hippy dippy" stuff, however Goop has just taken it way too far. Meditation and yoga and chakra healing and tarot? Sure. They can be great tools. Crystals? Maybe, if you believe they work. But since when does Gwyneth Paltrow need more money?

[@moonshineyogi933]

Since she has greed and the more the better?

[@Hallows4]

I’m gonna go ahead and ask about the elephant in the room: Flashy advertising and outrageous claims have been used to promote “quack”medical products for centuries. Is it possible that the specific backlash against something like GOOP has more baked-in misogyny then we’d like to acknowledge?

[@alabaster2163]

Ding ding ding ... if a man headed this company... no craps given. In fact there are many wellness shops out there that sell the same type of stuff. Jealously is an ugly green eyed monster that has taken women by storm and these ladies are apparently NOT an acception. Everyone has flaws... but, after Promising Young Woman... I had my hopes up they knew better. Wrong.

[@davidfrancis6727]

Base assumption that a man heading such a company would not be targeted in the same way is wrong

[@inescastellano7960]

I agree with this so much...

[@yenasung]

I honestly don’t get why ppl foam at the mouth insane about goop products and not at sephora, violet grey, other competitor companies that sell the same product for the same price. And they all use the same talking points: 1. It’s crazy expensive 2. It’s snakeoil 3. Science doesn’t back it up. 4. If I were the ceo I’d know 100% about every detail of my company (that makes me lol the most).

[@nataliaalfonso2662]

@@alabaster2163 wtf are your saying? Do you mean exception? And you expected the world to be cured of misogyny or jealousy Bc of one movie? And you think it’s only taken the world by storm now and hasn’t been a part of the human experience since time’s inception? What?

[@shanejavellana9604]

do you guys remember Hailey's boss in modern family? this is literally her HAHAHAH

[@gilbertshrimp8502]

It feels like a black mirror episode

[@fairdose]

I wish GOOP could finally be taken to task for the insane amounts of cultural appropriation that GOOP does.

[@rahbeeuh]

That means they'd have to take accountability for whitewashing wellness and that just isn't happening.

[@moonlily1]

I don't personally think Gwyneth Paltrow is beautiful. I think she is good looking, but not "beautiful", and 50% of it is money, not her person. It's the clothes, the hairstyling, the cosmetics. She isn't exceptionally attractive, she's exceptionally put together. But let's unpack that statement, "I believe that beauty and wellness are inextricably linked." Not only does that imply that you can't be beautiful if you aren't "well" (not to be confused with "healthy", they avoid the terminology associated with science and medical facts for a reason), but alternatively, you also can't be well if you aren't beautiful. Not only is "wellness" exclusive to the wealthy, it's also exclusive to those who possess a Western media standard of attractiveness, in which case, it can't be anything but hollow, despite wishing to be associated with spirituality. It's just another form of clout chasing, not mind opening and emotional balance. It's not inner peace, it's validation through consumerism and conformity to beauty standards.

[@MR-hu3ht]

I agree. Honestly I have always thought of her as mayo on white bread. If she didn't come from a Hollywood family, I highly doubt any of us would even know who she is. She is thin, tall and white. in our society unfortunately that automatically equates to beautiful. She has lead an extremely privileged existence. Honestly I think any level of success that she has reached is really only marginally hers.

[@moonlily1]

@@MR-hu3ht She's a good actress. Not the best, but good. Attractive ENOUGH for Hollywood but not as beautiful as many of her peers. Would she be where she is if her Steven Spielberg wasn't her godfather and hadn't given her her first role, and if she hadn't stolen the "Shakespeare In Love" script from Winona Ryder, and hadn't gotten the Oscar for that role due to Harvey Weinstein's famously aggressive-bordering-on-unethical campaigning, hadn't gotten so much media attention from being on Brad Pitt's arm? Who can say? She got lucky. I suppose most successful people owe it to luck as much as work. But I wouldn't grudge her that. I wouldn't mind her if she hadn't decided to become a snake oil salesperson out of nothing but pure greed.

[@rw4913]

@@MR-hu3ht huh?

[@MR-hu3ht]

@@rw4913 what did I say that confused you? Was it the term Mayo on White Bread? it means bland, ordinary, boring.

[@rw4913]

@@MR-hu3ht yeah...I mean I never heard someone describe someone like that...they would just say she's average or something.

[@meganinthemountains]

While a lot of the wellness things are surely bs, remember that MD's also said fish oil was bs and now there isn't a doctor out there who would deny the results of fish oil

[@clarisabartol]

It's funny how this video questions Goop's business aspect, selling products and stuff, while promoting and selling a Selfcare course.

[@pongo5000]

Watch Mojo: Even tried vaginal steaming. Witch Doctors have since said is not recommended. Me watching: Christ even WITCH doctors knew that was a bad idea! Me an hour later: Wait a minute.. Oh🤦‍♀️

[@Lunastorta000]

Can you do the enemies to lovers trope? I think is very interesting!

[@Msing8]

I am into wellness, alternative medicine, spiritualism, and astrology and one thing I see that even in a concept that promoting 'enlightment', people would still to use it to get money. I keep reminding myself that the true wellness won't cost a dime (like sunlight, meditation, movement, smile) or at least not 80 Dollars for a water bottle. If anything, wellness would detach me from the need to buy 50 Dollars candle.

[@CRIMSONBAMBOO-g6f]

living in this cruel world, whenever there is a problem, there are people to sell a solution. the more vulnerable they are the more desperate they are, the more useless your solution can be. so women and other minorities are just the best option, you can easily use them as your shield and society will happily trash them. but young people are just waiting to be sold off. there was days in my life i was so depressed, i really wanted to fix my life and myself. i searched many places that could help me to know better and carry on with a life i had no idea about. and then i found self help and self care.

[@curiousworld7912]

This idea of 'retail therapy', and buying luxury goods in order to feel better, is part of our society's probably - not a solution. Materialism and having money have become nearly the national religion in the US, and it obviously isn't making us happier - how large a percentage of our citizens are on anti-depressives, anti-anxiety, or other medications for being so mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually stressed? At the same time, we have people as diverse as Alex Jones and Gwyneth Paltrow selling health and wellness products, while avoiding any actual scientific standard of review or responsibility, and selling disinformation along the way. Jones' 'Infowars Life' products, and Paltrow's 'Goop', seem to almost serve as metaphors for this particular societal illness - taking material advantage of those who feel in need of some alternative to mental/physical 'wellness', those who are vulnerable, and those who have been programed to discount legitimate sources.

[@rafaelbrgnr]

It's a mystery how stupid people become rich, because they are the ones who can afford these products.

[@sunnysolaris23]

When it comes to comparisions of eastern and western medicine, especially in the field of wellness, there should be a clearer distinction of eastern medicine and what westeners sell as eastern medicine.

[@soffel0477]

I feel like Lordes new song 'Mood Ring' was mostly inspired by goop and this wellness industry :D

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I beliwve in a balance of western medicine and natural remedies but only when there are people who are knowledgable in these areas. Sticking with the essential oils debate, I like them for basic anxiety and sometimes certain smells can take away a minor headache, but they do not cure diseases. Medicine and vaccines do. People in other countries are fighting tooth and nail to get the COVID vaccine and the US are donating vaccines to these countries. For thise who use well, diseases are eradicated and why do we need vaccines, I answer what eradicated them? Vaccines. Measles only came back after the anti-vaxers refused to vaccinate their children and themselves. For the herded immunity argument, that just proves you rely on the vaccinated people to not get sick. I do not know what else to say. There are people who are allergic to vaccines so I cannot argue with that. There is such thing as elite consumerism which is not always a bad thing. There are companies that make affordable goods for the middle class that the elite may not wrong. Just stick with companies that do not promote over consumption and that you can afford.

[@MrDslacker]

The existence of Goop should be reason enough to give a substantial tax hike to the rich !!!

[@priscilaassis5704]

Practicing alternative medicine is one of those little gems that’s considered classy if you’re rich but trashy when you are poor.

[@eizhowa]

I wish I were goop-rich.

[@acenull0]

Lmao Gwen... gurl. These are your products! I'd hope the person who's selling me things knows what tf they do 😂

[@francescakyanda9182]

The promotion of consumerism is so frustrating, especially with Goop because it assumes that we're all living the circumstances that allow us to invest in all these products, when it's often more unattainable than we think

[@blurryeyes316]

I can't wrap my head around the idea that this brand and it's "benefits" are not a joke.

[@sdma6005]

Goop has Midsommar vibes

[@xensonar9652]

A Goop store full of its customers is one of the rooms of Hell.

[@djvoid1]

'How close can we get to calling it 'poop' before anyone catches on that we're trying to fleece them?'

[@FoxFireNaruto]

"Eat a delicate pile of leaves" God that killed me! XD

[@entis25]

Can we please not forget the circumstances of GP winning an Oscar. Goop is as contrived as GP being 'an Oscar-worthy actress'

[@agnessofiacastrocarvalho774]

What would those circumstances?

[@yassi8814]

Capitalism at its best

[@RabidChild82]

@@smartass0124 If you think capitalism is the end all be all then you have a small imagination. Because it’s not like rich people who benefit from unregulated capitalism haven’t convinced you and others that anything slightly different is wrong.

[@iwant2haveu]

Worst.

[@Mr.NopeNope]

Yes! That's that one good video that happens once per 6 months on your channel!

[@KHJohan]

Ironic how Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper in the MCU, the woman who keeps people from scamming the Tony Stark and becomes the CEO of Stark Industries which is the only “good guys” company. Perhaps that is helping her. Getting a first introduction as the only CEO with a conscience in media, which leaves a subconscious imprint of what a ‘trustworthy businesswoman’ looks like.

[@ItsBiographer]

Hello! We want to buy an advertisement in your video, how we can contact you?

[@Bunny-ch2ul]

I feel like Goop gets more hate than it deserves. It's really just the luxury equivalent of essential oils and whatnot. I don't think it should really be seen as any more or less than that. I feel like it's also important to point out that this "holistic" or whatever you want to call it, style of "wellness" is basically a hobby. Previous generations had fad diets, fad massages, etc. Goop style "wellness" is basically that for upper middle class Gen Xers and older Millennials. Don't get me wrong. I'm not a Goop fan, but Gwenyth is the rich version of that woman who throws essential oil parties. If anything, Goop is less damaging because it's *not* a pyramid scheme, and really only targets people of means.

[@martharodas3784]

the fact that she says "i dont know" should be a red flag

[@Therika7]

Wellness doesn’t need to be expensive! I suspect that GP noticed that actresses rarely get work when they get older, so she decided to find another way of making $$$… I’m very disappointed at the way she used her power.

[@PincheTan]

A drinking game where you take a shot every time Gwyneth doesn't know about her products xD

[@johnfriday7762]

Guess don’t get old 😀😀😀

[@paulkenny105]

The act of buying being considered a therapy is the definition of an addiction

[@CaraMarie13]

Yoga and meditation are free for those with access with internet. Am in the process of establishing a self care routine due to address burn out and insomnia and i have unfortunately found some ridiculous self-care advice online.

[@damaskito]

Goop is the proof that rich people aren't happy. That's why most people reject it immediately.

[@amandagiovini4109]

I want a movie about goop as a 70 creepy cult

[@rogueprince1341]

Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman have been making fun of this BS for years on the podcast Hollywood Babble on.

[@coolbeans5911]

gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss 💅💕

[@jklvx4033]

I don't mind the idea of wellness for a general sense of stress relief. But when it comes to serious medical issues I'll take advanced medicine thank you.

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Human Beings are suggestible creatures who venture mostly on the path of least resistance.

[@jerrysstories711]

Now all I want is to see the next episode of TheTake to be sponsored by Goop.

[@highland_persuasion]

The biggest issue with Goop is that more and more people seem to be increasingly willing to buy what is basically fake news in product form without even bothering to do the simplest research first.

[@ephemeralmiracles]

*plays Mood Ring by Lorde*

[@FIREBRAND38]

"No one in this world, so far as I know-and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me-has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people." H.L. Mencken, 1926

[@alabaster2163]

These are not masses... this is for extremely rich people who can spend loads on a tiny lotion bottle. The masses rarely represented say "to each thier own and more power to them." But thats not going to sell squat is it?

[@politereminder6284]

Thanks The Take, for your perspectives on pop culture. I recall the first video I watched of yours, I was so excited to find female movie and culture reviewers in the sea of men who dominate this scene. Your presence here, and your voices make a difference 💪