gen z is making niche little computers to avoid AI

ALSO: the maps fight is going REALLY badly, Venmo gets its first big update in a looong time, a fashion intern who is expertly trolling MAGA, and more

May 12, 2026

Happy Tuesday, May 12th!

FYSA, 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.

And don’t forget to head to the bottom of the newsletter for the GCC JOBS CORNER! Today, we’ve got the ACLU, The Guardian, and the Ohio Democratic Party.

I’M ALSO LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE TO DO MINI INTERVIEWS FOR OPEN TABS :) Tips, thoughts, concerns, good jokes, bad jokes, tea, etc?

And finally, if you enjoy this newsletter and want to share it with your network (and/or your chronically online friends), or buy me a matcha, that would be so appreciated 🙏

QUICK NOTE: I will be OOO next week – and if you have recs for Barcelona and/or Madrid, please send them my way!

Supreme Court halts order for Alabama to use US House map with 2 largely Black districts

Alabama officials had pointed to the Louisiana case as reason for the Supreme Court to end a judicial order to use a court-imposed House map until after the 2030 census. The high court on Monday overturned that order and directed a lower court to reconsider the case in light of the Louisiana decision. That could free the state to instead use a map approved in 2023 by the Republican-led legislature that includes only one district where Black residents comprise a majority. (AP, 5/11)

Many Americans think Trump assassination attempts were fake, survey finds

Roughly 1 in 3 Democratic respondents said they believed the event was staged, compared with about 1 in 8 Republicans, according to a survey published Monday by NewsGuard, a company that rates the reliability of online news outlets. Respondents between the ages of 18 and 29 were also more likely than older people to think the incident was staged, according to the report. (WaPo, 5/11 – free version)

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy returns to reality TV roots, sparking criticism and questions

The Duffy family said they filmed the show one to two days at a time over the course of seven months. Trip activities included running up the Rocky Steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, snowmobiling in Montana, and a stop at “The Real World: Boston” house where Duffy first gained reality television fame. (CNN, 5/9)

Why Gen Z is building custom computers

More than just a viral craft project, cyberdecks appeal to many Gen Zers as a means to reclaim control over technology. It’s a quiet rebellion against reliance on the monochromatic closed systems of Big Tech with pre-assembled parts and proprietary designs. Many cyberdecks also tend to be purposefully off-line to avoid data surveillance and harvesting, and to escape AI homogeneity. (The Hustle, 5/8)

Writers are fleeing the Substack Tax

Substack launched in 2017 as a platform that allows writers to create their own newsletters and manage paying subscribers. Unlike some of its biggest rivals, Substack takes a 10 percent cut of total subscription revenue. That tax may not seem substantial at first, but it quickly adds up as creators gain subscribers and begin charging more for their subscriptions. (The Verge, 5/10 – free version)

Venmo is getting its first big redesign, and it’s finally fixing this annoying feature

In the new version of the Pay/Request hub, the phonebook-style list of names has been scrapped for a more aesthetically pleasing bubble layout. This function analyzes users’ payment history to display their top contacts inside a central web graphic. (Fast Company, 5/11)

Who’s actually listening to all the health influencers dominating social media

The Pew study shows how distrust or disengagement with the traditional health care system drives people toward influencer accounts. For starters, uninsured people are much more likely to get health and wellness information from social media or podcasts: 53 percent vs. 38 percent of those with health insurance. It makes sense: If people can’t easily access care, they’re going to get their information from somewhere, and they’re getting it online. (Vox, 5/7 – free version)

Ella Devi is the 18-year-old fashion intern pissing off Trump’s America

In posts to TikTok and X, Devi revealed, after a little digging, that Erika Kirk’s gown was procured from the clearance rack at Saks Fifth Avenue, while Pete Hegseth’s wife Jennifer Rauchet bought her dress from Temu. In the days following, the Post laid into her yet again, while the Daily Mail wrote its own online article and ran a full page on her in its print edition, referring to the 18-year-old as a “Lefty ‘Cheap’ Shot”. (DAZED, 5/8)

A Super El Niño Is Increasingly Likely, And It Could Be Record Strong

El Niño is a periodic warming of water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean that can affect global weather patterns for months. There have been 27 El Niños since 1950, with one happening on average every three to four years. The last one happened from summer 2023 into early spring 2024. But this won’t be your garden-variety, weak El Niño. (The Weather Channel, 5/7)

Why Soccer Still Defies Statistical Analysis

Through their research, Bornn and Fernández found that Messi is perhaps one of the best walkers in all of soccer. The Argentine legend is prone to lollygagging, and common conjecture has been that he’s either conserving energy or just can’t be bothered. While this may be part of it, their study demonstrates that Messi’s slow saunters about the pitch short-circuit defenses in unique ways. (WIRED, 5/12 – free version)