today in tabs: grok gets uploaded to the pentagon…

ALSO: Americans love trains now, Nike signs their first pickle-baller, what Wikipedia tells us about news, and more

Happy Friday, January 16th.

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.

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), that would be so appreciated 🙏

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I need to rebrand the newsletter, and I need your help! (Context here and here). If you wouldn’t mind voting on your favorite name below IN THE NEXT DAY (by 5 PM on Saturday, Jan, 17th), that would be so appreciated. Also, if you have a great idea that I don’t have listed (or vehemently hate one of the names or have any other reason why it’s a terrible idea), please, please send me a note. And I should flag – the substance of the newsletter will not be changing at all :)

Pentagon is embracing Musk’s Grok AI chatbot amid global outcry

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok will join Google’s AI engine inside the Pentagon network. The announcement comes just days after Grok — which is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Musk — drew global outcry and scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent. (AP VIDEO, 1/12)

• Lucy’s note: can’t wait for Grok to accidentally fire a nuclear missile when someone just asked it to disrespect and demean women

US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

A separate notice sent to all U.S. embassies and consulates said that non-immigrant visa applicants should be screened for the possibility that they might seek public benefits in the United States. (AP, 1/14)

Minnesota shows what happens when governing and content creation merge

The swiftness of the Trump administration’s very online effort to control the narrative of the shooting has frustrated critics, including Michael Brodkorb, a former officer of the Minnesota Republican Party who says the emphasis on “leadership through social media” is not helping soothe tensions. (NPR, 1/16)

What’s to blame for political violence? Here’s what Americans say.

Sixty-seven percent of Americans said politicians’ reticence to criticize violent rhetoric from their supporters “contributes a lot to violent actions in society,” while 64 percent blame false or misleading information generated by AI that spreads on social media, the survey released Friday showed. Sixty-one percent said public displays of hate — such as Nazi symbols — play a role. Roughly half blame violent rhetoric itself, and an equal share blame easy access to guns. (WaPo, 1/16 – free version)

After 25 years, Wikipedia has proved that news doesn’t need to look like news

The site’s early years were filled with media outrage about a source of “truth” that anyone could edit. And yes, you could right now go edit in a claim that Happy Chandler was a lizard person. But the layers of accountability the site has built up over the years would likely reverse your edit within minutes. (Nieman Lab, 1/15)

Netflix’s first original video podcasts feature Pete Davidson and Michael Irvin

Davidson’s show will feature candid, behind-the-scenes conversations with friends from his own garage, airing every Friday, while Irvin’s show will deliver in-depth sports news, analysis, and commentary twice a week, joined by notable guest co-hosts like former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall. (TechCrunch, 1/14)

Americans are finally getting into train travel

Amtrak travelers can read a book, catch up on work, or do a crossword puzzle, whereas drivers are stuck paying constant attention and gritting their teeth through gridlock. Then there’s flying. Thanks to factors including labor shortages and the rising cost of jet fuel, airline fares jumped 25% last year, the highest spike since tracking began in 1989. (The Hustle, 1/14)

Nike signs phenom Anna Leigh Waters in its first pickleball deal

Nike has signed a deal with No. 1-ranked pickleball player Anna Leigh Waters, making her the first pickleball athlete to join Nike’s roster. While the terms of the deal were not disclosed, Waters will represent Nike for both apparel and footwear across all of her events and professional tournaments. The 18-year-old will also serve as a global pickleball ambassador for Nike. (CNBC, 1/13)

The Story Behind Needlepoint’s Modern-Day Renaissance

While needlepoint’s popularity has waxed and waned in past decades, the stitchers I speak to unanimously point to the pandemic as the catalyst for its comeback, during which crafting soared (alongside a slew of affably-named grandma hobbies) thanks to a newfound need for time-consuming projects. And time-consuming it is: a canvas can take anywhere from days to months to complete. (Vogue, 1/16 – free version)

Mosquitoes Are Feeding on Us More Often – And Scientists Say We’re to Blame

A sampling study of the bloodsuckers in Brazil has found that as biodiversity drops, mosquitoes are more likely to hunt us down. It makes sense, really: As human activity pushes other animals out of the region, mozzies have fewer alternatives to feast on. (Science Alert, 1/15)

• Lucy’s note: as someone who averages 10+ bites per summer evening, I am STRESSED

How Metro became D.C.’s favorite brand

Metro’s marketing team leans hard into what makes the system — and D.C. — distinctive. A “Brutiful” line celebrates Metro’s iconic waffle-vault stations. For a recent cherry blossom collection, they tapped local streetwear designer Chris Pyrate, who’s worked with the Wizards and Caps. (Axios, 1/14)

• Lucy’s note: everything’s on fire, but at least there’s a good bit of good train news this week??

@mousetheiggyHad to jump on this trend 😂 #harrypottertiktok #iggy #italiangreyhound #snape #dog

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Extra Credit 🤓

Some newsletters I thought were excellent recently:

• “Gen Z really does have it that bad” from Rachel Richardson of Rachel Richardson

  • also shouting out Rachel Janfaza’s also excellent coverage on this

• “UBI or We’re Screwed Part 2” from Neural Foundry

• “Why Winter Fatigue Is Not the Right Problem To Solve” from Katie Jagielnicka of The Noösphere

That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Tuesday! And a reminder to please vote above if you have a minute to!