Grab Bag!

Real Talk 

Here’s the thing y’all: between being sick, work being busy, and some unexpected life errands, this week has been busy. I haven’t had spare cycles to think critically about anything other than client pitches, and I can’t really talk about those here (at least not until things go live). So we’re doing a grab bag this week—lots of quick and quirky content recommendations. Buckle up and enjoy! 

Something to Watch 

Max (ugh, I hate saying that) has been recommending this animated show to me for a while, and I finally gave it a shot this weekend. 

Scavengers Reign follows isolated survivors of a space shipping accident as they travel across an alien planet. The design of the alien plants and animals is beautiful and dangerous. The animation is simple but evocative. It gives me a Miyazaki meets Mœbius vibe. As the episodes progress, you learn more and more about each character before the accident and what’s motivating them to survive in this hostile environment. Great character-driven sci-fi with alluring world-building. Worth a watch. 

Platform Updates

Instagram & Threads

• Threads Is Testing a New Option To Save Posts

The Rest of Meta 

• Meta will label AI-generated content from OpenAI and Google on Facebook, Instagram

• Facebook Tests Generative AI Prompts for Better Post Captions

TikTok

• TikTok removes feature that critics used to study Israel-Gaza war videos

YouTube

• Podcasters can now upload their RSS feed to YouTube

Google 

• Google rebrands Bard chatbot as Gemini, rolls out paid subscription

Apple

• Apple releases ‘MGIE’, a revolutionary AI model for instruction-based image editing

LinkedIn 

• LinkedIn Adds New Prompts To Boost Networking Opportunities (oh joy just what I need AI generated networking spam)

Twitter, Sorry X

The Dumpster Fire

• X hits number one in App Store as leaked Drake nude goes viral  

• After Libs of TikTok posted, at least 21 bomb threats followed 

Twitter Alts 

• Bluesky, a trendy rival to X, finally opens to the public (now what am I supposed to do with all of these invite codes?) 

Some Drama to Enjoy

If you aren’t following Drag Race, here’s the tl;dr. Former Drag Race contestant Maddy Morphosis was the guest on last week’s episode of The Pit Stop, the official Drag Race aftershow. When asked about how some former contestants recording their own verses to songs as if they were part of the current season's challenges, she described that behavior as “corny.” Well, it just so happens that one of my favorite Drag Race winners, Bob the Drag Queen, does this a lot. So, of course, we got a distrack from Bob.  

Then Maddy put out a verse of her own responding to Bob. 

The whole thing actually feels good-spirited and playful. I think both Bob and Maddy are in on the joke of this “feud.” So I get to sit here enjoying my reality TV drama without the crushing feeling that real humans are actually out to get each other. 

Also, if you aren’t watching this season, there are some very talented queens doing great work this year. Get into it.

Culture Movers 

Film & TV

• ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. are putting together a juggernaut sports streaming app 

• Oscars Add New Category for Best Casting, Beginning for 2025 Films

• Sony Jacks Up Prices for Crunchyroll and Kills Funimation

Labor

• NLRB Rules that Dartmouth Men’s Basketball Players Are Employees 

• Feds Say Activision Layoffs Violate Promises Microsoft Made in Merger Deal

Music 

• Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film is coming to Disney Plus

AI 

• The FCC bans robocalls with AI-generated voices

Scams

• The Viral Smart Toothbrush Botnet Story Is Not Real

Something to Play

I didn’t know I needed to give Pokemon guns until I started playing Palworld, but something about a cute little creature gleefully wielding an assault rifle really does help my brain chemistry. Since Palworld early access is included in Game Pass right now, I’ve been playing around with it. Survival games aren’t normally my jam, but there’s something calming about the simple gameplay loop here. I go explore and capture new Pals. I come back to my base and improve it. Repeat. I don’t know if I would have checked it out if it wasn’t included in Game Pass, but I’m glad I’ve been able to play around with it. Depending on what changes as they move towards a full release, I could see this being a great game. 

Honestly, though, I’m just glad someone is putting some pressure on Pokemon. The past few games have felt creatively stagnant and technically challenged. I don’t think they should give actual Pokemon guns or let you butcher them for parts, but introducing some new ideas or actually getting open-world gameplay right would be welcome.  

*I’m very dyslexic, and this is a largely free project/hobby. I do not set aside the same time for proofreading that I do for other professional work. If you spot a typo that would cause a communication error, please reach out to gently let me know.