Unjaded Jade

[KawaiiSloth]

She's basically saying that extroverted people are better than introverted people.

 

[Magallanes]

i finally watched her video on A-levels, and despite of being filmed before the government's decision to downgrade them, it's still so full of bullsh.... "rejection is redirection", "your A-level results are not your whole life" (really jade? how dare you say that to 18 year olds who have spent most of their lives in education?), and so on

furthermore, i'm surprised about the percentage of likes/dislikes on the video...there are not many dislikes at all
do only her fans watch her videos? nobody outside of that bubble of lies and empty mantras has seen the video?

 

[Kendopixie]

One weird thing about Minerva is they all seem so isolated from the world around them, crammed together into these accommodation blocks in whatever city they're in. It would be weird enough with how isolated they are from wherever they're studying, particularly since travel is such a massive part of Minerva's appeal, but then they're also kind of isolated from each other by having everything be online, and have them all as little blips on the screen rather than actual people you're sitting and talking with in a room. Even if they're in the same room to do the class, they're still isolated by being focussed on their own screens, headphones in, separate from each other. So weird.

 

[lemonlime]

Her shock and forced excitement at diversity makes me uncomfortable. She acts as if her British white existence is the ultimate norm so any addition to that must be something "exotic". I don't think any of her flatmates or friends lose their chill over her being British.

 

[dddddaaa1]

Minerva's HQ is also located on Market St in SF, where Twitter's office and other companies like that are. She's in it for the business it seems. She wants to make the $$$ and come across as this really inspirational person and make money off it. She was a lot more authentic back in the day - maybe because we see more of her life now, things are different...
Now, I think she's changed. She's not the Jade I looked up to anymore. She seems obsessed with business and brand deals, always marketing products. I bet she'll end up working for Minerva, seeing as her internship seemed to revolve around "analysing their instagram page". Students literally market this institution as part of their work-study agreement. Well the internship involves that, but the online presence like with her and Dinara are designed to market Minerva.
I've been following Dinara for a while now, and even she seems a lot more... normal. Like she seems real and not trying to be different. She doesn't put her uni in this amazing light all the time, while she doesn't bash it.

I mean in some ways her uni seems to function like an MLM so I'm not surprised she just spouts bullshit these days

It basically is. Higher up people get students, students do work-study for financial aid which is basically just promoting the uni (who knows if Jade got financial aid, she came from a high-income earning family), they get students, same thing.

 

[HollyLeaf]

Everything has just gone to her head.

This. Genuinely used to like her but can’t stand how self-obsessed and egotistical she has become.

Constant indirect boasting about how privileged and wealthy she is.

She doesn’t realise there’s a difference between being confident and being a tone-deaf show-off.

 

[WaTeRbBY]

I have to be honest, I think the whole 'casual magic' thing is a pretty nice way to look at the simple things in everyday life which most people take for granted. What I can't stand is the way she applies the concept to the opportunities she has because she is privaliged and doesn't see that her followers do not have those same chances. She acts so knowledgeable but her content really only applies to young middle class white people like her. Maybe we can all relate to experiencing casual magic in some way, but not in the narcissistic way she puts across

 

[hpprotego]

This page of the thread sums up exactly why I just can’t stand Jade anymore. Her focus now is always pushing happiness and she never acknowledges her privilege. She’ll say every now and again ‘oh I’m so lucky’ etc, but I don’t think she actually understands the extent of why she’s so lucky, and the fact it’s not just luck alone which got her to where she is today. She might have travelled and seen other parts of the world but that doesn’t automatically make you 100% aware and a guru of what makes people ‘happy’. The whole white saviour mentality shines bright in Jade in my opinion.

 

[Katso]

I agree, I think what weirded me out most was in the Thailand vlogs when she mentioned they share a bed in this villa. I don't necessarily think sharing a bed is that odd, I've shared with my friends, but two siblings, both well into their teenage years, of different genders, seeming so happy to share a bed just feels... incesty? And the whole "my little Folkert" thing, it just feels odd, and that's laying aside how cringey Folkert is in his own right.

As much as this forum has valid criticism accusing her of incest is just one hell of a reach. Some siblings have closer relationships than others.

 

[schmetterling]

When I first researched Minerva when I saw Jade was going I went down a rabbit hole of Quora questions about it, and there are some hilariously obnoxious responses from their students. I hunted down my favourite one, because it has the same spiel about critical thinking that we've been discussing but with the delusions amped up x10:

What is the downside of going to Minerva Schools at KGI?

Answer (1 of 2): First, I have to say that the actions of one individual does NOT define an entire culture — so if you are thinking of traveling there, please know that it is just as safe as any other western city, if not safer in some areas. Secondly, I'm reposting this because for the past one...

www.quora.com

"You will struggle to interact with normal people after the first year (if not the first semester). The academics are supposed to change the way they think, and generally that really works. The problem is, that most people aren’t used to being called out for thinking in a way that is flawed, and you will also struggle to explain exactly what is wrong with what they’re saying, as you are used to interacting with Minervans who have a shared vernacular for calling each other out. This also extends into general mannerisms that are unique to the Minerva community. Personally, I’m not too upset about this one, and it’s more of a temporary annoyance than anything. Hopefully, after a couple more years of practice, we’ll be able to move more smoothly between the Minerva vernacular, and regular English."

I mean, how is this not a cult. "Minerva vernacular"?! Be warned, expect your blood pressure to rise if you read the whole comment. Highlights include them claiming that normal college students have never had to budget for food or grocery shop. They're deluded.

Oh no, I hope I never meet a Minerva student! How ever will my tiny brain keep up with these God-like beings?!

 

[marypoppinsyall]

She romanticised poverty on her ICS trip talking about how “simple” life was in Uganda so not totally shocked she’s posted something like this about homelessness. For someone who’s so proud of being aware of social issues she’s completely out of touch, the white saviourism is strong with this one.

 

[DigiDuino]

Did anyone else see the ad she posted on her ig story for the essay feedback service (which feels kinda unethical to me in some ways, but that's another issue).
At the bottom you can see the beginning of her essay, and at one point she cites "Wikipedia, 2018".
Like, girl... The number one rule of university is don't cite Wikipedia. I guess Minerva is just so ~progressive~ that they have different citation standards too *eyeroll*

That would get laughed out of most universities.

Using Wikipedia as a jumping off point is fine, they have citations at the bottom so you can go read those? How difficult is it - there are six at the bottom of that article to go check.

 

[marypoppinsyall]

I’ve also never got the impression that Jade and Eve are that close. You always see Eve with the Molly/Liv/Lydia/Lizzie group, and Jade seems closer with Ruby, Jack etc.

I feel like Jade will constantly be trying to prove that Minerva is soooo much better than Oxford.

god I’m so excited for the ever so subtle between these two with their complexes about their unis pass the popcorn

 

[schmetterling]

One weird thing about Minerva is they all seem so isolated from the world around them, crammed together into these accommodation blocks in whatever city they're in. It would be weird enough with how isolated they are from wherever they're studying, particularly since travel is such a massive part of Minerva's appeal, but then they're also kind of isolated from each other by having everything be online, and have them all as little blips on the screen rather than actual people you're sitting and talking with in a room. Even if they're in the same room to do the class, they're still isolated by being focussed on their own screens, headphones in, separate from each other. So weird.

They're basically getting a degree in high-intensity immersive neoliberalism, and their certificate is the six figure price tag. I love the system!

 

[YellowLadybird]

Are her parents paying her Minerva fees? She doesn't seem so grateful to them if they are.

People have speculated she's getting it free/reduced due to her SM following.

 

[emmer_moans]

I also think Minerva was like a rebound reaction and that she’s regretting it but doesn’t want to start again after having done one year and a gap year. I think she does enjoy being abroad but come on, who is she kidding about being okay about sharing a bedroom and doing classes at unsociable hours? It must be quite draining actually. Her mum seems really sweet but also really nervous?

I hope Folkert isn’t under any pressure to be as “casually magic” or maverick as his sister.

 

[Spencerskates]

Ugh the manifestation thing annoys me so much. I have both a BA and almost have an MA. I've worked really hard during my studies and have go alot of experience and now work as a teaching assistant. Of course one would assume that I would want to qualify as a teacher and move into the higher paying role. But it's not going to happen. I can't manifest it just like that. I'm autistic and as a result have selective mutism, so a more qualified job would have me on mental health leave every month. She is able to do these things because she has MONEY. Like in reality she wouldn't have even been able to commit to YouTube full time if she had to get a fast food job to support her like a strong majority of first year uni students she rubs me the wrong way honestly

Sorry to derail slightly, but I’m autistic and a teacher, happy to chat if you did ever want to consider training! But I totally agree with the point that you’re making; Jade just doesn’t appreciate how privileged she is to be able to ‘manifest’ things, eg, knows her Dad will bail her out if needed.

 

[onlyusedthisonce]

No WAY does the 'course explorer' say Manifest randomly at the bottom...this can't be real

 

[fwooper]

that must be quite risky as I bet they monitor their social media!

Ooh on the social media point. I found the Minerva manual I was talking about - link here. If you jump to the section “Guidelines on Anonymous Postings on Social Media”, they have a whole weird spiel about how one of their principles is Being Authentic , and how they don't want Minerva students to vent using anonymous accounts. Understandable if it's an anonymous account being used to target a student... but what I think this rule is actually getting at is that if you criticise Minerva anonymously, and they find out, you can be punished. Which is actually pretty insidious - what university has this kind of rule? Why should students be punished for venting about Minerva, anonymously or not?

 

[onlyusedthisonce]

In Jade’s story they are all singing .. one of them says ‘anti capitalism’ and they all cheer. Her dad is literally the definition of a capitalist. She has benefited so much from it.

Personally I feel we can't hold her dads career against her- she has benefited from it yes, but what else would she have done? She was raised like that and it was not a conscious choice of hers. However, cheering for 'anti-capitalism' when your 'university' is the definition of capitalism (which you made the conscious choice to pay for and attend) is hypocrisy at its finest.