New Yorker Writer Openly Admits to Shoplifting from Corporations
Jia Tolentino, a 38-year-old staff writer for The New Yorker and Condé Nast contributor, has proudly confessed to shoplifting from Whole Foods, claiming it is not "morally wrong" to steal from large corporations. In a revealing interview with The New York Times, Tolentino defended her actions by arguing that corporations like Amazon, which owns Whole Foods, can absorb the losses and mistreat their workers, making theft insignificant.
Justifying Theft Based on the Victim
Tolentino elaborated on her philosophy during a conversation about the rise of "micro-looting" with millionaire communist Hasan Piker and culture editor Nadja Spiegelman. She stated that stealing from a big-box store is not a significant moral wrong, though she acknowledged it does not constitute meaningful protest. "I think that stealing from a big box store is not a very significant moral wrong," she said. "However, nor is it significant in any way as protest or direct action."
Her justifications extend beyond shoplifting; Tolentino also admitted to sharing Netflix passwords and pirating music from Spotify accounts, framing these acts as acceptable when the victim is a corporation. She even expressed support for stealing priceless art from the Louvre, cheering on such actions based on her victim-centric ethics.
Personal Incidents and Wealth Contrast
Despite living in a luxurious $2.2 million brownstone home in Brooklyn's Clinton Hill neighborhood, Tolentino described stealing lemons from Whole Foods while shopping for a friend through a neighborhood mutual aid group. "I forgot four lemons. And on several occasions I was like, I’m just going to go back, grab those four lemons and get the hell out," she recounted, adding that she felt no guilt. She further justified her behavior by claiming Whole Foods loses as much stock to employees as to shoppers, implying worker mistreatment excuses theft.
Public records show Tolentino and her husband, architect Andrew Daley, purchased the five-bedroom, four-bathroom brownstone with a $1.5 million mortgage in 2023. The couple also owns a second home in Saugerties, New York, a cabin bought with a $200,000 mortgage in 2018 now valued at nearly $500,000.
Broader Reactions and Criticism
The conversation sparked widespread backlash, even among New York Times readers, who flooded the comment section with disapproval. One commenter argued, "Retail theft hurts everyone," including employees, and suggested shopping at more affordable stores instead. Another criticized the sentiment as "appalling," stating that using injustice to justify immoral actions is "madness and bad for everyone."
Hasan Piker, a self-described pro-communism activist known for expensive tastes, supported Tolentino's views, declaring himself "pro stealing from big corporations." However, critics pointed out the hypocrisy of wealthy individuals advocating theft while enjoying opulent lifestyles.
The Daily Mail has reached out to The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Tolentino for comment, but responses are pending. This incident highlights ongoing debates about corporate responsibility, personal ethics, and the boundaries of protest in modern consumer culture.
