ICYMI

Parker Molloy, a sharp cultural writer from The Present Age, joins the conversation to unpack the troubling implications of Grok, a chatbot on X, that has been manipulated to produce sexually explicit content, including disturbing imagery of children. They discuss the alarming ease with which Grok enables harassment and examine why users engage in public, sexualized edits for clout. Parker also highlights the significant failures of accountability from both X and regulatory bodies while warning that Grok's predicaments could set concerning precedents for the future of online safety.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Kathryn Jezer-Morton, writer of The Cut column Brooding, and author of the viral article, In 2026, We Are Friction-Maxxing. Over the past fifteen years, technology has attempted to “fix” every small inconvenience in our lives, which has rendered us completely unable to endure basic hurdles such as sitting in silence, navigating unfamiliar social social interactions, and doing any kind of creative thinking. To reverse this, Kathryn proposes we “friction-maxx,” and rebuild our tolerance for the very things that, it turns out, make us human. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Kate Lindsay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by internet culture writer Christianna Silva, who recently covered the TikTok Awards while wearing America’s new favorite device: Meta Glasses. Meta Glasses are just one AR wearable, but their revenue tripled in 2025, and 2026 looks even bigger. However, wearing your phone on your face comes with completely new etiquette, and privacy concerns are at an all time high. Now, anyone could be filming you—and you’ll never know what they’re doing with it. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Kate Lindsay with help from Benjamin Frisch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Aidan Walker, an internet culture researcher and meme historian, explores the concept of the 'Great Meme Reset' set for January 1, 2026. He dives into the exhaustion of social media brain rot and the longing for the substantive memes of the 2010s, like Big Chungus. Aidan also defines brain rot, discusses its spread via platforms, and debates if a meme reset can provide a genuine escape. They reflect on generational nostalgia and the challenges of imagining a meme-free future.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by The Atlantic staff writer and host of the Galaxy Brain podcast, Charlie Warzel. Charlie has been following the demise of Twitter, now called X, since Elon Musk took over in 2022. While many of Musk’s decisions have prompted people to declare the end of the app, the introduction of a new location feature undermines almost all of what was left of its relevance. Can we finally call it? Is this Twitter’s official time of death?This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, and Kate Lindsay. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this lively discussion, Kat Tenbarge, an internet culture reporter for Spitfire News, dives into the wild world of 2025's digital moments. They explore the concept of 'brain rot' and dissect the infamous 6-7 meme. Kat and host Kate Lindsay analyze online reactions to the Charlie Kirk assassination through a lens of nihilism and meme culture. They also tackle surveillance issues wrought by social media and predict the future of TikTok amid looming bans. Exciting and thought-provoking, this conversation unpacks the nuances of contemporary internet life.

In this discussion, Aymann Ismail, a Slate staff writer, delves into the viral Mehdi Hasan debate on Jubilee, revealing how the platform's approach to political discourse can be harmful. He criticizes Jubilee for turning political disagreements into attention-grabbing content that rewards extremism. Aymann highlights the problematic normalization of extremist views and the implications of click-driven media on public discourse. This insightful conversation unveils the tension between free speech and responsible dialogue in today's media landscape.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by comedian and writer Youngmi Mayer to talk about a controversy that’s divided TikTok: How should Asian people feel about white people in Asian grocery stores? That’s the question creator Madeline Qi didn’t even mean to ask when she posted her now-viral video, which resulted in call-outs, doxxing, and, ultimately, a conversation too nuanced for TikTok. Youngmi’s attempts to make sense of the discourse on her Substack ended up going viral on Instagram, so she came on the show to share what people misunderstand about the controversy, and how her own experience being mixed white and Asian contributes to her perspective.This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, and Kate Lindsay, with help from AC Valdez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Angelina Mazza, a culture writer and expert on queer romance, joins the discussion about the viral success of HBO's Heated Rivalry. She explores the passionate online fandom that rallied behind the show long before its U.S. premiere, detailing how it originated in Rachel Reid's hockey romance novels. The conversation delves into the series’ compelling enemies-to-lovers arc and the importance of queer representation in hockey culture. Angelina also highlights the fans' creative efforts and the challenges of misinformation that come with rapid virality.

Casey Lewis, a writer and curator for the After School newsletter, joins to explore Gen Z's evolving relationship with Millennial culture. They discuss how TikTok trends have shifted from mocking Millennials as 'cringe' to a nostalgic embrace of 2010s aesthetics. Casey defines 'millennial optimism' and dives into fashion and music that shaped that era. The conversation highlights the carefree vibe of the 2010s and questions if Gen Z can craft their own version of optimism or merely inherit the past.