Culture reporter wants to write something on green, but needs something new, a counterintuitive trend piece that can get some attention.

PR shill pitches reporter on fake trend: blue is the new green! Perfect.

Reporter calls actual green journalist. Actual green journalist points out that trend is fake.

Even better! Now you’ve got a trend piece with some he-said she-said controversy attached!

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

Sigh.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.