🤓 Interaction Nerds by UXA | F25.03

Ragebait... on Purpose? Exploring intentional controversy: Sydney Sweeney vs KATSEYE, Cluely, Series, Sabrina Carpenter

Sep 17, 2025

title card for UXA's Interaction Nerds F25 Issue 3

👋 Announcements — UXA Kickoff @ 5PM Today!

UXA flyer promoting the club's "First GBM" in room "NSH 4305" on "9/17" at "5PM"

We are going to kick off the new year with introductions to our board, our events, and why you should join UXA! We hope to see you all there!

👖 Sydney Sweeney vs KATSEYE: Is Bad Press Really Good Press?

Written & edited by: 👽 Joelle Lee

Left: Sydney Sweeney for AE jeans. Right: KATSEYE for GAP jeans. — Sydney Sweeney for AE (left) and KATSEYE for Gap (right)

Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle (AE) commercial has garnered lots of controversy, specifically for its implied conservative message. In contrast, KATSEYE’s “Milkshake” dance for Gap is a viral sensation, with CMU even participating in the trend. From a marketing perspective, why exactly was the Gap commercial more well-received than American Eagle’s?

The Denim Cold War

🚨 Cluely & Series: Contentious AI Startup Marketing

Written & edited by: 🦑 Kaitlyn Ng and 🐥 Grace Conard

Left: Cluely startup team. Right: Series startup co-founders. — Cluely Team (left) and Series Co-founders (right)

In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to build what would become the tech powerhouse, Meta. In March of this year, Roy Lee was kicked out of Columbia, and is now building what’s become one of the most polarizing startups in recent times.

Just over 20 years have passed, and the bar that startups need to meet to stand out has risen and risen. Is it due to AI leveling the playing field? Or, is it a product of digital overconsumption and desensitization?

Cluely & Series

🎸 Man’s Best Friend or Woman’s Worst Friend?

Written & edited by: 🥑 Ashveen Banga

Shows the album art of Man’s Best Friend, Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album. Depicts Sabrina on all fours with her hair being pulled by a man in a dark suit, her left hand reaching for the man’s right leg. Sabrina is looking at the camera and dressed in short black dress, with the background of the cover being a white curtain. — The cover art of *Man’s Best Friend,* Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album

Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Man’s Best Friend has sparked massive controversy. Was the outcry just a misinterpretation of Sabrina’s artistic intention? Or, is the cover a product of the growing trend towards outrage marketing?

Carpenter Cover Controversy

🤔 Who’s behind the scenes?

The editors behind this week’s issue are 🥑 Ashveen Banga, 🐥 Grace Conard, 👽 Joelle Lee, and 🦑 Kaitlyn Ng

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