today in tabs: the american dream? that'll be $5 million

ALSO: women use ChatGPT to "self-edit" at work, Americans want more out of the UN, Palantir wants to be a lifestyle brand (??!), and more

Sep 23, 2025

Happy Tuesday, September 23rd. If you need something to hyperfixate on this week, Fat Bear Week opens tonight 🐻

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?

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 🙏

The American dream now costs $5 million. Here's a breakdown.

A lifetime supply of new cars cost $900,346 in 2025, versus $811,440 a year ago, Investopedia found. A lifetime of homeownership costs $957,594, up from $929,955. Not everyone, however, defines the American dream the same way. (USA Today, 9/21)

Trump’s $100,000 Visa Fee Spurs Confusion and Chaos

Still, many executives, general counsels and human resources departments, as well as their immigration lawyers, said they were coming down on the side of caution this weekend. Several companies and attorneys had already urged workers to return to the United States as soon as possible. Many kept their eyes glued on the White House social media accounts for any pertinent clarification. (NYT gift link, 9/20)

Lucy’s note: Yet another reminder, don’t plan literally under this administration – my socials were flooded with traveling H1B visa holders scrambling to get back to the US as fast as they could over the weekend.

Americans view United Nations as necessary, but ineffective, poll finds

The survey, released Monday ahead of the 80th U.N. General Assembly this week, found that while 60 percent of Americans see the U.N. as necessary — a slight decrease compared with previous polls conducted over the last decade — 63 percent say the U.N. is doing a poor job trying to solve global problems. (POLITICO, 9/22)

Women have always self-edited. Now they're using ChatGPT to do it

The emotional toll of self-editing at work is real. Women spend significant energy calibrating their tone, a burden less often felt by their male peers. "I wish I didn't have to do it, but it's working," consultant Jennifer Borchardt told Axios about running her communications through ChatGPT and Claude to help them sound more "conciliatory," but also more confident. (Axios, 9/22)

Everything you need to know about the closing stages of Google’s ad tech antitrust trial

The court found that Google violated U.S. antitrust laws by monopolizing the markets for publisher ad servers with DoubleClick for Publishers, and ad exchanges, via AdX, by tying the pair. However, Google was not found guilty of monopolizing the advertiser ad network market. (Digiday, 9/22)

This toy company’s stock is outpacing Nvidia

Build-a-Bear has 627 stores globally across malls, tourist destinations, cruise ships and department stores. About 100 of those stores opened in the past two years, and the company expects to open 60 more in fiscal 2025. Almost all of its North America stores were profitable last year, the company said. (WaPo, 9/22)

The new fashion label check: 100% cotton

Roughly 9,000 TikTok posts were tagged #NaturalFibers during the first half of 2025 — up more than 230% from the same time last year, according to data the platform shared with Axios. These posts often show natural-fiber clothing hauls and label-reading tips to avoid synthetics. (Axios, 9/21)

Oura Ring Maker to Become $11 Billion Company With Latest Raise

Recent growth has been fueled by female shoppers, retail store sales, purchases made with health savings account funds, and international expansion. Oura launched its latest ring in Japan and Germany earlier this year and is planning further global rollouts. Today, the company sells its devices across 4,000 stores. (Bloomberg, 9/22 – free version)

Palantir Wants to Be a Lifestyle Brand

Last year, Palantir relaunched an online merchandise store, and its website was recently redesigned with a swanky interface and new payment system. A mock terminal in the lower left corner displays “code” documenting each item you view. A page titled “Core Capsule” displays an assortment of sold out items, like athletic shorts with text reading "PLTR—TECH" running down the right butt cheek, which sold for $99. (WIRED, 9/22 – free version)