today in tabs: young people decline the party invite

ALSO: the YouTube vibecession, where Dems will vote first in 2028, the most followed TikToker's net worth, and more

Happy Tuesday, January 13th.

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 your thoughts/input (please)! 🚨

ICYMI, a little ~situation~ arose last week (which I touched on here), and seriously, thank you so much to all of you who flagged it for me/sent a note. Long story short… I need to rebrand the newsletter, and I need your help!

This FRIDAY, I am going to send a poll with the best name options to get your pick. From now until Thursday, I am deep in the brainstorming phase, and it’s been pretty tricky since I love the concept of Open Tabs. BUT, I have a few options I’m excited about – and if anyone has any thoughts or ideas or vibes, I would so appreciate hearing them if you want to drop them below or send me a note! <3

Minneapolis Is in Mourning. It’s Also Very, Very Pissed Off

Would the grieving city do things the “right” way, interpreted by most to mean the way that causes the least harm to property, or would this be a repeat of the painful George Floyd protests in 2020 that caused over $500 million in damages and saw widespread instances of police brutality against protestors and journalists alike? In a country that so often resists grief, the push and pull of sorrow and outrage is one that protestors on Portland Ave would struggle with in the days to come. (Rolling Stone, 1/12 – free version)

New High of 45% in U.S. Identify as Political Independents

The higher rate of political independence also results from younger adults today being more likely than young adults in the past to identify as independents. The 56% of Gen Z adults identifying as independents today compares with 47% of millennials in 2012 and 40% of Gen X adults in 1992. (Gallup, 1/12)

Supreme Court could dramatically alter US election landscape

In perhaps the most high-stakes example, the country is waiting to see whether the justices weaken a section of the Voting Rights Act. Other rulings expected this year could alter how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates, or affect the deadline for casting ballots on time. (The Hill, 1/12)

Inside Democrats’ Brewing Debate Over Which States Should Vote First in 2028

Nevada is too far to travel. New Hampshire is too entitled and too white. South Carolina is too Republican. Iowa is also too white — and its time has passed. Why not a top battleground? Michigan entered the early window in 2024, but critics see it as too likely to bring attention to the party’s fractures over Israel. (NYT gift link, 1/12)

The YouTube Vibecession

Plenty of creators, new and old, are thriving and growing. In recent months, though, some longtime YouTubers have been getting anxious. They spent years building audiences, tracking platform trends, and internalizing official advice and YouTube folk wisdom, building brands and hiring staff. But sustaining viewership, some have said, seems to have gotten harder, growth has become less predictable, and occasionally the stats just go haywire, sending them into existential panic. (Intelligencer, 1/12 – free version)

How China and Russia are using Maduro’s capture to sway U.S. discourse

Neither video was exclusive or particularly surprising. But both the accounts that promoted them were part of a covert Russian influence operation that has been saturating U.S.-focused information ecosystems with a chaotic stream of often contradictory narratives and conspiracy theories about Maduro’s capture using a network of social media accounts, influencers and fake websites, according to research from the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab. (WaPo, 1/10)

What’s the most followed TikToker worth?

On paper — and we stress on paper — the value of Lame’s position in Rich Sparkle Holdings is worth north of $3 billion. But his roughly 36.75 million shares in the company is more volume than its stock has traded in its entire history to date. (Sherwood, 1/12)

Are You Dead?: The viral Chinese app for young people living alone

A new bleak-sounding app has taken China by storm. Named Are You Dead? the concept is simple. You need to check in with it every two days – clicking a large button – to confirm that you are alive. If not, it will get in touch with your appointed emergency contact and inform them that you may be in trouble. (BBC, 1/12 – free version)

How did Gen Z become the most religious generation alive?

A recent YouGov study found that Gen Z believe in a higher power more than any other generation, with data showing there has been a rise in the religiosity and church attendance among young people. Their levels of faith now even surpass the 65+ age group. Dr Edward David, a lecturer at King’s College London, researched the religious behaviours of young people and attributes the increase - in part - to social media. (Sky News, 1/11)

Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion

Mattel said it developed the autistic doll over more than 18 months in partnership with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and better media representation of people with autism. The goal: to create a Barbie that reflected some of the ways autistic people may experience and process the world around them, according to a Mattel news release. (AP, 1/12)

Bad news if someone calls you a “choppelganger”—Gen Z’s favorite new diss

A mashup of “chopped” (internet shorthand for unattractive) and “doppelgänger,” the term describes someone who looks almost exactly like you, just…noticeably worse. The word took off after a viral misread in 2025 and has since become a favorite way to roast friends, exes, and even yourself. In short: you do not want to be the choppelganger. (Daily Dot, 1/9)

• Lucy’s note: I learned this word from Casey Lewis, and now I have this cool new fear unlocked! lol

Why the mad artistic genius trope doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny

But this study also found something arguably more intriguing: the parents and siblings of people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder were more likely to be in creative professions. It’s not hard to think of examples amongst famous artists: James Joyce’s daughter and David Bowie’s half-brother both had schizophrenia. Why might this pattern exist? (The Conversation, 1/12)

@celinedionLet’s just say…I’ve been known to carry a little more than just the essentials! Now tell me…what’s in YOUR bag? -Celine xx…

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Extra Credit 🤓

Some newsletters I thought were excellent recently:

• “A Conservative Influencer Apologized for Her Anti-Trans Past. Elon Musk is Trying to Take Her Kid.” from Parker Molloy of The Present Age

• “A MF MONSTER” from John Paul Brammer

  • An interesting, super comprehensive take on the MAGAfication of Nicki Minaj

That’s all for now – I’ll see you on Friday!