from the chat: the duality of the substack x tiktok creator
ALSO: the American Girl Doll influencers protesting ICE, an online proxy war in Texas, the viral Olympic Village lava cake, and more
Happy Friday, February 13th! Remember to avoid sidewalk cracks and consider sleeping facing south or finding a four-leaf clover today.
WELCOME :)
Just a reminder: every Tuesday and Friday, I’ll be in your inbox with the latest in politics, tech & social media, culture, and other relevant topics – and I’ll share some notes and tips on what I’m keeping my eye on.
Want to do a super fun, super cool rapid interview for this newsletter like the one below??? Reply to this email or hit the button below. Tips, thoughts, concerns, good jokes, bad jokes, ☕️, etc?
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Today, we have some texts from one of my favorite Substackers, Chanda! (I mention it below too, but I am obsessed with her recent piece breaking down 2016 nostalgia.) She’s also on TikTok, where you can follow her author journey!
LR: As a writer and creator deeply enmeshed in politics and the news cycle who also focuses on making content that is accessible and not overwhelming… how do you personally stay grounded? What are your tips for staying informed and active but still sane in this day and age?
CD: That’s an amazing question – I have three guiding principles that never let me down!
First, I am very strict with myself on the line between staying informed vs doom scrolling. If you want to be informed on a topic or event, two in-depth articles or podcasts usually provide the context you need. Doom scrolling to me is reading to the point where it becomes borderline entertainment. I remind myself that behind every story, headline, or stat is a real person and approach their stories with that respect. So I learn what I need to be informed and quickly leave, there is no need to linger!
Second, because I’ve been in the political space for 10+ years, I’m very aware of my burnout signs and have built an ecosystem of care. It’s important to figure out your triggers and the ways you reset in order to be in this fight for the long haul. Resiliency is a muscle, not a personality trait. It’s something anyone can build over time! What works for me is: therapy, three-hour-long conversations with friends, and a lot of carefree fun. My favs are going out to dance, crafts, and escaping into a fun book.
Lastly, I hold on to the fact that we’ve been through hard times before and we have come out on the other side. While we may hate this current timeline (I know I do!) I believe in that overused quote that history bends towards justice.
LR: I LOVED your piece on 2016 nostalgia and the end of originality. For people looking to spark or get momentum going on their original art, ideas, etc. in 2026, what is one thought or piece of advice that you would share with them?
CD: Omg! Tysm 🥰
The biggest barriers I see are the lack of time to incubate our own ideas and the collective belief that originality can’t be successful. It’s tough because of the nature of social media, that’s kind of true. But it’s not our job to play it safe, if you have an idea, it’s your job to see your vision through as you see it!
My biggest recommendation is to go through periods of media deprivation. Which sounds so intense, but it isn’t, I promise lol! It’s a concept from the Artist’s Way. Basically, you do not consume anything but music (ideally without words) for a week. No tv, no reading, no scrolling, no podcasts. I did it, and it was transformative! Now my go-to method is to read something that will give me the baseline information to be informed or inspire me. Then I journal, take a walk, or call a friend who is equally informed to have a discussion about it. Then I don’t consume anything from anyone else until it’s done!
I don’t think you have to go that hardcore for it to work, but shoutout if you like to full send too!
LR: As someone who writes a Substack and makes TikToks (two super different mediums), what lessons have you learned from creating on both? What do each of those spaces give you creatively – and what, if anything, do they take?
CD: I always say TikTok makes me a better writer, but writing makes me a worse short-form video creator lol. I can always tell when I’ve only been writing for a long time - those first videos back tend to go everywhere but the point!
We all have a duality to us, and I like that the two mediums give me space to showcase mine. My TikTok is about documenting my journey writing my first book and sharing my essays. Filming helps keep me accountable to actually writing and helps me sharpen the thesis of the essay because I know I’ll eventually need to say what it’s about in 3 seconds or less. I feel like the world moves too fast, I’m very pro-long form, so it’s great being able to have a space to linger on topics where the world demands speed usually. My substack is a lot of heavy topics, and I do have that part to me, but if you met me irl, you would be surprised to learn I’m an overall unserious person! I am very into fashion, food, art, culture, and tend to be the last one to go home at the party. Having both mediums allows me to show both sides of me in a way that feels natural!
LR: What are three books from contemporary authors that you think everyone should read?
CD: This is sooooo hard. I’ve read like 1000+ books in my life, so I’m shaking trying to narrow it down to three lol. I will have to say: Hunger by Roxane Gay, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us by Hanif Abdurraqib, and The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer.
LR: What’s something small or ordinary that’s bringing you a large amount of joy right now?
CD: My dormant fan girl sleeper cell has been activated by Heated Rivalry. I didn’t know I had this level of obsession left in me, so that’s been fun! Also my friend and I committed to working together at a local coffee shop every once a week. It’s made an average day something I now look forward to!
IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS
Federal law mandates strict protections of the identities of taxpayers, including the sharing of data within the federal government. Undocumented immigrants have for years paid taxes with assurances from the federal government that doing so would not result in them being targeted by immigration enforcement. (WaPo, 2/11 – free version)
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years
When asked by The Hill if Gallup had received any feedback from the White House or anyone in the current administration before making the decision, the spokesperson said, “this is a strategic shift solely based on Gallup’s research goals and priorities.” (The Hill, 2/11)
Lucy’s note: i’m sorry, but this timing is far too suspect (and this is just one example of why)
Inside the influencer proxy war roiling the Texas Senate race
It’s a rapidly growing issue in campaigns, like Talarico’s, that increasingly look to gain support online. More that 200 content creators were credentialed to cover the 2024 Democratic National Convention. And they have been a growing presence in the run up to the March primaries, where both Talarico and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett — who rose to prominence on viral social media posts — have learned that content creators and influencers can burn them with the same fire that sparked their political careers. (The Austin American-Statesman, 2/12 – free version)
N.Y.C. Officials Reinstate Pride Flag at Stonewall After Federal Removal
The Pride flag had been removed after the Department of the Interior issued federal guidance that addressed the display of “non-agency” flags in the national park system. It was not clear exactly when the flag was taken down, but employees of the Stonewall Inn said they had noticed it was gone on Monday morning. (NYT gift link, 2/12)
Meet the American Girl Doll Influencers Protesting ICE
To some, it may seem odd to see these 18-inch dolls being used to make political statements, but for those who are deep in the American Girl world, it’s only natural. Caitlyn Cordova, the person behind Instagram account @backintimeag, created the viral anti-ICE Kirsten meme at the end of January. She says she was surprised to see comments on the post saying things like, “You know it’s bad when the American Girl community is radicalized.” (Rolling Stone, 2/12 – free version)
TikTok launches Local Feeds in the US
The new localized feeds for US users will include “local content related to travel, events, restaurants and shopping, as well as posts from small businesses and local creators.” Local Feeds will be turned off by default and aren’t available to users who are under 18. TikTok USDS says the precise location tracking used for the feature is “only active when the app is in use.” (The Verge, 2/11 – free version)
Anthropic Pledges $20 Million to Candidates Who Favor AI Safety
The donation promises to strengthen AI safety advocates’ fight against Leading the Future, a billionaire-backed super political action committee that plans to spend $125 million this year to stack Congress with allies who support lighter regulation of the technology. (Bloomberg, 2/12 – free version)
Gen Z Labeled “Dumber” Than Their Parents, But Also “Overconfident”
He added that Gen Z is underperforming across a number of cognitive abilities: basic attention, memory, literacy, numeracy, executive function and general IQ among them. Horvath, who studies standardized testing results across various age groups, attributed these outcomes to Gen Z’s excessive screen time. (Inside Hook, 2/12)
Lucy’s note: one angle of this narrative that I think needs to be made MUCH more clear – this is not Gen Z’s (especially younger Gen Z’s) fault. we all still very much live in the world that was built for us (or inadvertently allowed to spawn around us ) – as a point in case, see below 👇
Older Americans are spending more time on their phones than younger cohorts, per new data
Per the latest batch of quarterly data, the younger cohort clocked some 350 minutes of daily phone use, compared with 352 minutes for the 36 and older demographic. Though the actual difference might be slim, this has now been the case since the end of 2024 and will likely still come as a shock to many. As far as reasons for the surprising switch go, Apptopia’s Adam Blacker flagged young Americans’ efforts to “disengage from technology” and the rise of home device “companion apps” among older users as potential factors. (Sherwood, 2/13)
McDonald’s is offering free caviar - yes, caviar - for Valentine’s Day
McDonald’s said in a statement each kit has all you need for “an upscale yet effortless celebration” including a 1oz tin of “McNugget Caviar,” crème fraîche and a Mother of Pearl caviar spoon, along with a $25 gift card. (CNN Business, 2/10)
Olympians In Milan Are Obsessed With This Chocolate Lava Cake
Entering the arena (aka the Olympic Village): a chocolate lava cake. This dessert takes all of the rich flavors of the chocolate muffin and gives it a melty upgrade. And, only days after the games started, it has become the star of the dining hall. Athletes have already taken to social media to give their stamps of approval. (Delish, 2/10)
15 years of ‘Friday’: Looking back at Rebecca Black’s 2011 viral music video
Fifteen years later, Black is having the last laugh. “Suuuuper divalicious of my 13 yr old self let’s be honest,” Black posted on X over a gallery of photos of screenshots from the “Friday” video on Tuesday, Feb. 10. A few years ago, she came out as queer. She’s found her niche as an electronic pop singer and club DJ. She’s earned a devoted social media following. (Los Angeles Daily News, 2/10)
Lucy’s note: and now we get to celebrate the iconic Friday anniversary, a song made by a 13-year-old, on a Friday the 13th… wow!
Podcast Star Jake Shane Named Chief Creative Officer At German Candy Company Katjes
While most companies employ marketing experts to run a creator strategy and hawk their product, Katjes is going straight to the source: “Jake has so much cultural relevance. He’s able to translate whatever story a brand wants to tell with its product to his audience, and convert it,” says Lejla Granov-Plavulj, the brand’s head of U.S. marketing. (Forbes, 2/11)
Extra Credit 🤓
“Why Are We So Good At Making Ourselves Mad?” from Post-Culture by Sibling Studio and Ennie
“a list of low-stakes acts of feminism to employ in your everyday life” from shit you should care about
That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Tuesday!