today in tabs: you can Venmo the US treasury
ALSO: TikTok private investigators are bringing in $$$, Gen Z isn't actually 'consciously unbossing,' and more!
Happy Tuesday, July 29th. Almost there!
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 this or this??? Reply to this email or hit the button below. Tips, thoughts, concerns, good jokes, bad jokes, tea, etc?
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Want to pay down the national debt? The US government will take Venmo
You can see the Venmo payment option on the Treasury Department’s “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt” website. There are also options to pay from a bank account, a PayPal account, or with a debit or credit card. (The Verge, 7/25)
Lucy’s note: Did test this (idk why), but can confirm it works.
Democrats Get Lowest Rating From Voters in 35 Years, WSJ Poll Finds
On the whole, voters disapprove of the president’s handling of the economy, inflation, tariffs and foreign policy. And yet in each case, the new Journal poll found, voters nonetheless say they trust Republicans rather than Democrats to handle those same issues in Congress. (WSJ, 7/25 – free version)
Lucy’s note: My main takeaway from this first half of 2025 is that pretty much the only thing that works in this day and age in politics is authenticity. And yet, time and time again, we’ve seen Democrats say whatever they think people want to hear (which also usually leads to a whole lot of flip-flopping and incoherence). All this to say… it seems pretty clear that whatever Dem leadership has been doing to “rebrand" isn’t even close to enough (also see: here and here).
Democratic candidates are posting weightlifting videos in search of a midterm lift
But Democrats are increasingly posting weightlifting content in hopes of reaching male voters in the so-called “manosphere” that Trump mastered during his campaign. They are also trying to move past the ongoing arguments – fanned by Trump and Republicans on Capitol Hill – over former President Joe Biden’s physical and mental fitness. (CNN, 7/26)
Lucy’s note: This is… not exactly what I’m looking for lol. And there’s a really great quote in there from Pat Dennis of American Bridge about why it’s not.
From Cheating Exposés to Dating Background Checks, TikTok Detectives Are Thriving
This unvarnished relatability has helped Stephanie and Allen-Stell blow up, with both able to make a living from their work. Stephanie charges a minimum retainer of $650 for surveillance cases, and says she’s built a “comfortable and growing” career, with most of her cases coming via the internet and her Instagram and TikTok pages fueling “major growth.” (WIRED, 7/28)
A.I.-Driven Education: Founded in Texas and Coming to a School Near You
At Alpha’s flagship, students spend a total of just two hours a day on subjects like reading and math, using A.I.-driven software. The remaining hours rely on A.I. and an adult “guide,” not a teacher, to help students develop practical skills in areas such as entrepreneurship, public speaking and financial literacy. (NYT, 7/27 – free version)
LLMs suggest women seek lower salaries than men in job interviews
The difference in recommendations for initial salary requests can be dramatic. In one example, someone negotiating a base salary as an experienced medical specialist in Denver, CO was advised by ChatGPT-o3 to ask for $400,000 if they were male. For the same position, an equally qualified woman was told to ask for $280,000. (Computer World, 7/24)
‘Quishing’ scams dupe millions of Americans as cybercriminals turn the QR code bad
The appeal to cybercriminals lies in the relative ease with which the scam operates: slap a fake QR code sticker on a parking meter or a utility bill payment warning and rely on urgency to do the rest. (CNBC, 7/27)
An alarming amount of us have tried to access weight loss drugs
New polling shows that demand for weight loss drugs is skyrocketing among under-35s, sparking concern among experts that demand may soon outstrip supply. The data shows that 35 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds tried to access weight-loss medication in the past year, a significantly higher proportion than the national average of 21 per cent. (DAZED, 7/28)
Gen Z says they’re into ‘conscious unbossing.’ Something else is actually playing out in the workplace, Glassdoor says
Despite the “unbossing” rhetoric, Glassdoor’s Zhao finds Gen Z is achieving managerial status right on schedule. In fact, he added Gen Z is likely to surpass baby boomers in management ranks by late 2025 or 2026 if current trends continue. (Fortune, 7/29)
‘The Pitt’ Production Assistants Launch Landmark Unionization Drive
“This is the first time ever that we can say PAs and assistants are unionizing on a show like this in film and TV,” says Production Assistants United organizer Ethan Ravens, who like other leaders in the movement is a production assistant himself. “It’s huge.” (The Hollywood Reporter, 7/25)
Where Did All the Las Vegas Tippers Go?
Visits are down this year, reflecting uncertainty in the U.S. economy, the sting of inflation and fewer Canadian travelers. On the Strip and in the downtown casino district, bartenders, showgirls and blackjack dealers say their tip income has shriveled since last year, in some cases by more than half. (WSJ, 7/26 – free version)
The Quintessential Urban Design of ‘Sesame Street’
Through its aesthetics, the show is grounded in reality; and through its messaging, it portrays a vision of how urban life can be. It’s a block where residents of all backgrounds and varying income levels exist together harmoniously and where local businesses thrive. (NYT, 7/28 – free version)
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Extra Credit 🤓
Some newsletters I thought were excellent recently:
“Is Trump’s trade strategy working?” from International Intrigue
As someone who works almost exclusively on domestic issues/topics, I’ve been trying to learn more about the international political sphere, and International Intrigue has been really helpful!
“Girl’s girl vigilantism” from Delia Cai of Deez Links
“say it with your chest” from Eleanor
“Labubu and the Decline of American Cultural Hegemony” from Miranda + The Monitor
That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Friday!
Thank you for the feature!