Good morning, happy Monday, and welcome to this thing.
(This week’s edition is co-written by my Internet friend who visited me IRL over the weekend, Justina Sharp.)
Some Stuff Happened…
This is the section where I tell you things that are happening on the Internet now.
WHAT’S THIS?! There’s magic all around.
It’s November now, which means that the number one conversation happening on the Internet is whether or not it’s Christmas. I’m sure (I hope!) you’ve all seen it by now, but I think it’s important to mention given that it shows and creates a very clear cultural divide in the country for about a month and a half, and people have very strong opinions on the matter.
Daylight Savings Time also just happened, so I’m both exhausted and wide awake right now, and there are also insanely divisive conversations happening online about that. Half the Internet just wants people to shut uppppp about the time change and when it gets light/dark out now, and the other half will die on the hill of #AbolishDaylightSavings… SO.
Internet Context of the Week
This is the section where I talk about the past of the Internet, that gives context for how the Internet today.
Acacia Brinley
Acacia Brinley is THE foundational influencer of the Tumblr era. She gained fame in a time where it was basically impossible to build a personal brand, since there was no where to really follow her, and yet, she did it. Every 2012 Tumblr user knew her name and her photos like the back of their hand.
She evolved to Vine, then YouTube, then Instagram, where she has stayed for years, finally ending the transition between platforms when she landed on Mommy-Blogger Instagram. She effectively has posted the same exact style of content — what she initially gained notoriety for — within the confines of whatever platform she was on at the moment, for years.
A couple of weeks back, she quit the Internet, and then came back a week later with a Patreon where she sold editing presets. Her quitting posts were filled with guilt-trippy language about how her husband now had to get a job to step up since she was stepping back from their main income stream… But clearly that’s not it at all, since she’s already back.
People Who Are Dating, Who They Are, Why It Matters (Or Doesn’t), + If I Think It’s Real or PR
This is the section that explains itself super clearly in the title.
Kim Kardashian + Pete Davidson
I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just come out with it… Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson may actually be dating. I really don’t know how to tell for sure, BUT she went to Staten Island, and I know for sure that I would only ever go there voluntarily if I really really liked the person from there. I assume Kim is the same way.
This is obviously a weird pair — first they were spotted holding hands on a rollercoaster, and now this happened. The Internet does not know what to think, and neither do I. I’ll keep y’all in the loop with any further updates.
Also, Justina made a TikTok about it. Here’s another TikTok by this lady Clara who pretends to be Kardashian PR dealing with this situation, it’s great.
The Brands Are Here Too
This is the section where I tell you about what the brands are doing on the Internet.
The Audobon Society - This is new and good.
Duolingo’s Lawyer - This is old and great.
The Reaction to Duolingo + Ryanair Vibing on TikTok - This is people who do my job and also social media management being sad that they aren’t one of the above two brands and thus have to actually adhere to brand safety guardrails and legal guidelines.
Trendy Toks
This is the section where I tell you about trends or sounds or whatever I want related to TikTok.
Train Guy! This guy really loves trains, and this train in particular has a funny name. The Internet tends to love this man because we don’t know why he cares about trains so much, but the pure joy he gets from them is infectious… we all need a little of that in our lives.
This Dance is trending… And here’s a cat doing it too. That’s all.
A Thing I’m Personally Super Pumped About + Why
This is the section where I blab about something that gives me joy and energy rn.
Mariah Carey Defrosted - It’s Christmas and MC knows that it’s her time to shine, so she made this semi-unhinged TikTok to prove it. #StreamAllIWantForChristmasIsYou
Exposing Myself Just a Little Bit
This is the section where I give you one tiny glance into my For You Page, which exposes me and the depths of my personality just a little too much.
In a world where Manifestation and Mantras rein supreme (or at least on my FYP), this one for a little kid really stood out to me. I am STRONG, I am BRAVE, I CANNOT DO THIS.
This TikTok made me laugh a little too much.
Also this one, a lot.
Before we go, one more ask for you — comment people whose names you’ve heard but have no context for who they are, what they do, or who they’re connected to… I’ll fill in the deets for you in a later newsletter.
THANKS FOR READING! And remember, there is literally no reason to follow anything Barstool, ever. Just don’t.
Hasta la pasta,
Emma
^ Use this button to give your friends and fam my expert internet opinion too. You know they need it.