ICYMI

On today’s episode, hosts Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay are joined by Slate senior editor Tony Ho Tran to talk about why it matters that EA Games has been sold to Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner. In addition to likely cost-cutting, this new ownership puts games like The Sims even more at risk of censorship, especially when it comes to LGBTQ+ characters. If your Sim groom can’t end up making out with his new father-in-law at the end of his wedding, then what is The Sims even for? Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay pour one out for MTV’s Catfish, which was recently cancelled by MTV after 9 seasons and 12 years. Back in 2010, Nev Schulman was the subject of the Catfish documentary, which revealed the heartbreaking truth about a woman he fell in love with online. The documentary helped coin the internet phenomenon of people creating fake personas to manipulate, extort, or trick others online. However, instead of scamming for money, the protagonists of MTV’s Catfish were coerced into emotional relationships that turned their rom-coms into horror films. With Catfish leaving the airwaves, what has changed about the show (and the internet) since its inception? And why couldn’t the show keep up with a scam culture that is more advanced than ever before? Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat Tenbarge, an Internet culture reporter for Spitfire News, joins to explore the implications of Charlie Kirk's death on free speech discussions. She highlights how censorship is rising due to biased algorithms and legal challenges, especially affecting marginalized voices. The conversation delves into influencer culture's role in shaping public reaction and the chilling effects of laws like FOSTA-SESTA. Kat emphasizes the need for civic engagement to combat these issues and discusses the importance of media literacy in a landscape of mistrust.

Candice Lim and Kate Lindsay break down the drama between Vlogbrothers star Hank Green and the online knitting community. Earlier this month, Green posted an educational SciShow episode about the knitting community’s contribution to physics. What the SciShow team didn’t expect were almost 30-minute long reaction videos and accusations of belittling and misogyny. This saga has spurred apology TikToks, vows to knit simple socks, and a bigger discussion about how an offline pastime became one of the most drama-filled communities online. Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Vic Whitley-Berry, Daisy Rosario, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, sociologist and TikTok creator Josh Lora, known as TellTheBees, delves into the phenomenon of the 'mainstreaming of loserdom.' He argues that many are glamorizing anti-social behavior, prioritizing screen time over social gatherings. Josh explores how COVID-19 and economic factors have made staying in more appealing, along with the rise of digital invitations that normalize flaking. He also highlights the cultural shift in dating dynamics and advocates for creating community spaces to rebuild in-person connections.

On today’s episode, host Kate Lindsay is joined by Slate senior writer Ben Mathis-Lilley to say goodbye after eleven years at Slate. Ben was responsible for iconic stories like “Wouldn’t It Be Nice to Get Knocked Out Cold With a Shovel for Exactly Six Weeks and Five Days?”, and is known as the “funniest person in Slack” despite spending his days reporting on our terrifying political climate. How does Ben stay sane and positive online when the internet is engulfed with bad news? One thing’s for certain: It’s not in his University of Michigan football Discord.  Get more of ICYMI with Slate Plus! Join for exclusive bonus episodes of ICYMI and ad-free listening on all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the ICYMI show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/icymiplus for access wherever you listen. This podcast is produced by Daisy Rosario, Vic Whitley-Berry, Candice Lim, and Kate Lindsay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this discussion, Virgie Tovar, a writer and fat-activist, dives into the predatory marketing tactics of GLP-1 drugs targeting plus-size creators and the backlash against the #BodyPositivity movement. She explores how social media has shifted from a supportive environment to a battleground of body image issues. Tovar also highlights the intersection of fatphobia and racism, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming the political roots of fat activism and maintaining body-positive values in a commercialized landscape.

The podcast delves into the evolving relationship between Saturday Night Live and internet comedians. It examines how platforms like TikTok are reshaping comic styles and influencing SNL's new cast members. Discussions reveal the challenges these comedians face while adapting to traditional sketch formats. The hosts humorously navigate conversations around scams related to podcasting, all while assessing the comedic landscape's transformation in the digital age. Can SNL thrive without the internet's fresh talent, or is it the other way around?

Kat Tenbarge, an Internet culture reporter and Spitfire News writer, dives into the Gaylor fandom's tumultuous reaction to Taylor Swift's engagement. She defends the Gaylors, who believe in Swift's secret queer identity, and explores how this fanbase often becomes the punchline. The conversation unpacks the complex dynamics within the fandom, from theories surrounding Swift's sexuality to the challenges faced by marginalized voices. Tenbarge highlights the emotional impact of celebrity culture and the significance of LGBTQ representation in Swift's work.

The hosts discuss the backlash over a controversial job listing for a podcast role that offers a mere $55,000 salary without benefits. TikTok erupts with debate about the privilege required to accept such a position in New York City. They delve into the struggles of hustle culture, reflecting on the implications for early-career professionals. Amid fashion trends and community reactions, the conversation highlights the necessity for better compensation and workplace conditions in the media landscape. Accountability among content creators is a key theme.