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Hey readers! Andrew here. Welcome to the Friday edition of Internet Insider.
The weekend is right around the corner. I hope you’ve got some fun plans lined up.
In today’s newsletter our top stories include a deep dive into a Twitter account that was pretending to be the Ukrainian first lady and seeking cryptocurrency donations, and the FCC asking for public comments on how to combat digital discrimination.
Meanwhile, our Culture Editor Tiffany Kelly touches on her experience at SXSW and how it reminded her of a meme you have probably seen. Plus, she shares with you what her favorite meme of the week was.
Let’s dive right into the news.
—A.W.
BREAK THE INTERNET
Fake: A Twitter account that was pretending to be the first lady of Ukraine and seeking cryptocurrency donations was live on the platform despite the fact that Olena Zolenska, the actual first lady, called it out as fake. The account, which began tweeting days after Russia invaded Ukraine, seemed to be seeking donations in Bitcoin, Ethereum, or Tether. The account was eventually suspended by Twitter.
WTF: A Missouri state senator is facing massive criticism after a clip of her asking a nonbinary student about their genitals during a meeting about an anti-trans sports bill went viral. The state senator, Elaine Gannon, asks the 14-year-old student whether they would be getting gender affirmation surgery (calling it “the procedure”) and suggested that people in bathrooms would “realize” if people don’t have the same genitals, a notion that was thoroughly criticized online.
Digital Discrimination: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking public input on how it can curb digital discrimination and redlining. The agency wants to stop the practice where internet service providers provide higher-quality internet to higher-income areas while leaving low-income users with slow and unreliable access. Read more about the FCC’s call for comments here.
THIS WEEK ON THE INTERNET
I touched some grass
I wasn’t online much this week. And by online, I mean I wasn’t checking the feeds of every social app on my phone as much as I usually do.
I am blissfully unaware of the discourse of the week. Since last Friday, I’ve spent my days out of the house, covering the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin. I’ve been to panels, film screenings, music showcases, and interactive events. It’s led to some great stories.
Diving headfirst into this year’s SXSW was a hard adjustment after not attending any big conferences for the last two years. It also offered me a much-needed break from doomscrolling and falling into a TikTok rabbit hole.
I used my phone a lot at SXSW—mainly to coordinate meeting up with people or to look up my schedule. But the array of in-person activities distracted me from being on any social app for too long. It was nice, and I also feel extremely lucky. Not everyone had the luxury to attend SXSW this year.
I thought of the “touch some grass” meme, a popular reply to a post where someone is taking an online discussion far too seriously.
It’s an instruction that is meant to be taken both literally and figuratively: Log off, go outside, and maybe touch some grass. Being outside, away from your digital world, will offer you perspective on the thing you’re angry about.
This past week, I witnessed so many positive moments offline: Watching Nicolas Cage interact with some of his biggest fans. Seeing Perfume Genius perform a full set in a church. Daniel Radcliffe yelling, “I love you” back at people in the audience of his new film. And, most importantly, catching up with friends and colleagues.
This week, I touched some grass. Now I’m ready to return to my extremely online life.
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🔑 KEY STORIES
The worker recorded a TikTok of himself changing a medium-sized drink to a large. The video got more than 1.7 million views.
A TikToker demonstrated a hack she uses to do her laundry for free in her apartment building in a viral video that has provoked discussion about the costs of apartment living in the video’s comments section.
From date night to a night out, we’ve got you covered.*
In an age where many people live and work online, the internet has become the home of the modern picket. In “Viral Labor,” the Daily Dot explores the way workers are fighting for their rights and using the internet to advocate for themselves.
*The Daily Dot may receive a commission in connection with purchases of products or services featured here.
MEME OF THE WEEK
Everyone involved with the CGI Jeff Garlin needs to apologize for putting this cursed image in our minds.
Now Playing: 🎶“Your Body Changes Everything” by Perfume Genius🎶