For touring musicians, hauling around your prized gear—whether that’s on a swanky tour bus or a sweltering van—can be incredibly stressful. For one, there’s always a chance someone could swipe your stuff: In a 2022 poll of 1,000 musicians, Allianz Musical Insurance found that 24 percent had experienced the sting of a stolen instrument, with many feeling "seriously emotionally impacted by the loss."
Another potential source of anxiety: flying with your guitar. In a social media post, rock artist Emily Wolfe stirred up some conversation around this topic, claiming that her instrument was broken during a Southwest Airlines flight to Las Vegas. The story initially appeared to have a bummer ending, but after her account made the rounds online—and stirred up some support from others in the music industry—the situation took a happier turn.
But let’s go back to the beginning. Alongside photos of the wrecked guitar (her own White Wolfe Epiphone Sheraton signature model), Wolfe wrote on Instagram, "I followed every guideline for traveling with an instrument: hard-shell flight case, checked in properly, fragile stickers, and paid the new bag fees. When I opened the case, the headstock was completely broken off." She filed a report at the airport, offering photos, proof of the guitar’s value, and estimates for a repair. Ultimately, though, she was told "they are not responsible for anything inside the case and that instruments are considered 'fragile items.'"
Wolfe argued against that logic: “If airlines can damage professional-grade instruments, charge us extra to check them, and then refuse to take responsibility, it puts every traveling musician at risk.” She also called out Southwest directly, suggesting they could "set a better example by doing the right thing" and covering the repair costs. The account circulated around guitar sites and drew thousands of reactions on social media, including many from other musicians. Dashboard Confessional labeled the situation "the effing worst," and Mark Agnesi, director of brand experience for Gibson Guitars, called on the airline to "do better." Meanwhile, guitarist Pete Thorn noted that he also wound up with a "broken headstock" on his guitar during a Southwest flight.
While Wolfe wasn’t sure if she’d get a response, she was touched by "all the support and shares" she received from people online. "[H]opefully they’ll do the right thing," she wrote in a follow-up, "and this will be a small step in creating better experiences for their customers, especially musicians who travel for work." Days later, she posted a victory: Southwest had decided to cover the repair costs.
"They’re gonna pay for the damages, which is exciting, and I don’t think it would have happened if all of you hadn’t shared my post," Wolfe said in a video. "It may just look like an instrument on the outside, but it’s someone's livelihood. It’s someone’s identity. It’s someone’s voice. To open up the case and it be broken, it’s heartbreaking…Literally every person who shared this post, thank you, because I think it may actually help move the needle in making sure that airlines protect our gear as musicians."
It’s unclear whether Southwest Airlines covered Wolfe’s damages because of her specific case or if this move signals some kind of wider policy change. (GOOD reached out to Southwest with a request for comment but didn’t hear back by publication time.) Regardless, there’s one fewer musician out there grieving an instrument, and that’s worth celebrating.
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21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.