There Are No Girls on the Internet

Even if you’ve never seen Lenna Forsén’s image, you know it, because an image of the Swedish former model went on to be one the most important images in internet history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don’t freak out! You can still use TikTok for the time being. But here’s where we could be headed. Here's what TikTok's anticipated court challenge could look like: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/26/tiktok-congress-legal-00154688 Alleged pro-Palestinian bias was part of the argument used to justify banning TikTok, but that argument doesn't make a lot of sense: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/11/13/tiktok-facebook-instagram-gaza-hastags/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A hologram of the late Whitney Houston is doing a residency in Las Vegas. Spirituality writer Brooke Obie asks what this means about celebrity, greif, and technology. Read Brooke's piece The Zombification of Whitney Houston: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2021/11/10725817/whitney-houston-hologram-tour Read Deepfakes, dead relatives and digital resurrection: https://theface.com/society/deepfakes-dead-relatives-deep-nostalgia-ai-digital-resurrection-kim-kardashian-rob-kardashian-grief-privacy Al Sharpton Boycott flyer: https://preview.redd.it/a8fqafdn1yw31.jpg?auto=webp&s=372160136dda8598d3d621dbee936e5b3d31602c Want to support the show? (thank you!) Subscribe, tell a friend, or buy some merch at There Are No Girls on the Internet’s store: TANGOTI.COM/STORE Join our newsletter: Tangoti.com/newsletter Say hello at hello@tangoti.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extremists like Chris Rufo are setting their sites on NPR, and the New York Times is helping them do it. Again. The Real Story Behind NPR’s Current Problems: https://slate.com/business/2024/04/npr-diversity-public-broadcasting-radio.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Evan Rachel Wood’s documentary Phoenix Rising paints a horrifying picture of abuse she experienced by Brian Warner, also known as Marylin Manson. Bridget joins Sam and Anney at the podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You to talk through why it’s also a tech accountability issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Romeo & Juliet theatre star suffers ‘barrage’ of online racial abuse: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/apr/05/romeo-juliet-theatre-star-suffers-barrage-of-online-racial-abuse Tom Holland Urged to Speak Out After Nearly 900 Black Actors Condemn Racial Abuse of Romeo & Juliet Star Francesca Amewudah-Rivers: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tom-holland-racial-abuse-romeo-and-juliet-francesca-amewudah-rivers ‘AI Instagram Influencers’ Are Deepfaking Their Faces Onto Real Women’s Bodies: https://www.404media.co/ai-influencers-are-deepfaking-their-faces-onto-real-womens-bodies/ Instagram to Blur Out Nude Images Sent to Teens in DMs: https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/instagram-nudes-teens-dms-1235967659/ Content creators ask Meta to reverse politics limits on Instagram, Threads: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/10/politics-instagram-threads-limits/ How to opt into political content on IG (from Verge): https://www.theverge.com/24117988/threads-instagram-politics-how-to Actors Are Making Thousands of Dollars Through Fake Video Podcast Ads: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-04-11/actors-are-making-thousands-of-dollars-through-fake-video-podcast-ads?embedded-checkout=true See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder why Google results are getting worse, or why you aren't seeing your friends on Instagram? It's all because of the growth-at-all-costs economy that's swallowed the tech industry, where the user experience takes a back seat to monetizing every interaction with the platforms you used to love. Ed Zitron is joined by Cool Zone Media's Robert Evans to walk you through the economic theory that's destroying the tech industry from within. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Latino immigrant workers died on the Baltimore bridge. More will likely rebuild it: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/04/business/immigrant-workers-baltimore-bridge/index.html Baltimore mayor faces racist attacks after bridge collapse: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/04/business/immigrant-workers-baltimore-bridge/index.html Amazon’s cashier-less technology was supposed to revolutionize grocery shopping. It’s been a flop: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/03/business/amazons-self-checkout-technology-grocery-flop/index.html California introduces 'right to disconnect' bill that would allow employees to possibly relax: https://www.engadget.com/california-introduces-right-to-disconnect-bill-that-would-allow-employees-to-possibly-relax-151705072.html Billie Eilish, Nicki Minaj, Stevie Wonder, Dozens More Call on AI Developers to Respect Artists’ Rights: https://variety.com/2024/music/news/billie-eilish-nicki-minaj-ai-respect-artists-rights-1235957451 Researchers uncover ‘pornification’ trend among female streamers on Twitch: https://www.psypost.org/researchers-uncover-pornification-trend-among-female-streamers-on-twitch/#google_vignette Twitch bans turning butts and boobs into green screens: https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/27/24113838/twitch-community-update-body-part-screens-morgpie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previously on TANGOTI... This is part two of our two-part look at Dr. Andrew Huberman. If you haven’t listened to part 1, you will definitely need to dip into that episode to have the context. To recap, Andrew Huberman is a very famous, popular podcaster and neuroscientist who has been giving guidance to millions on how to hack their lives. New York Mag just published a piece with the stories of 6 women in his life who allege that he mistreated them, and also looking into some of his questionable science and ethical practices, like endorsing dubious supplements. I’m joined by my producer Mike, who is also a scientist, to get into why we’re so quick to build flawed people up into gurus. Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control The private and public seductions of the world’s biggest pop neuroscientist. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/andrew-huberman-podcast-stanford-joe-rogan.html Andrew Huberman Has Supplements on the Brain: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/andrew-huberman-has-bad-case-supplement-brain So, Should You Trust Andrew Huberman? https://slate.com/technology/2024/03/andrew-huberman-huberman-lab-health-advice-podcast-debunk.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Huberman is having a rough one after New York Mag published a long read looking into his personal and professional life. Andrew Huberman’s Mechanisms of Control The private and public seductions of the world’s biggest pop neuroscientist. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/andrew-huberman-podcast-stanford-joe-rogan.html Andrew Huberman Has Supplements on the Brain: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/critical-thinking-health-and-nutrition/andrew-huberman-has-bad-case-supplement-brain So, Should You Trust Andrew Huberman? https://slate.com/technology/2024/03/andrew-huberman-huberman-lab-health-advice-podcast-debunk.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Start your day with The Bright Side, a new daily podcast from Hello Sunshine. Co-hosted by journalist, TV host, and podcaster, Danielle Robay and Emmy-nominated journalist, host, and producer, Simone Boyce, The Bright Side brings your daily dose of culture and inspiration – with the latest trends, celebrity interviews, and real conversations with women doing amazing things while navigating life’s transitions, big and small. The Bright Side is a talk show created to inspire, educate, and empower women as they tackle life each day and add joy to their morning routines. Join Danielle and Simone and the Hello Sunshine community every weekday for entertainment, culture, wellness, books, and more. Listen here and subscribe to The Bright Side on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WE RECORDED OUR UPDATE ON KATE MIDDLETON BEFORE THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTED NEWS THAT SHE HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. READ MORE ABOUT THAT HERE: https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/03/22/world/princess-kate-middleton-cancer Staff at clinic where Kate had surgery ‘tried to access her medical records’ https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/mar/19/inquiry-reportedly-begins-after-claims-clinic-staff-tried-to-access-princess-of-waless-records TMZ’s Kate video: https://www.tmz.com/2024/03/18/kate-middleton-seen-new-video-windsor-farm-shop-prince-william/ Users say Glassdoor added real names to user profiles without their consent: https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/20/glassdoor-added-real-names-profiles-without-consent/ A third of Bumble’s Texas workforce moved after state passed restrictive ‘Heartbeat Act’ abortion bill: https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/08/bumble-lost-a-third-of-its-texas-workforce-after-state-passed-restrictive-heartbeat-act-abortion-bill/ Washington Post report: Women are getting off birth control amid misinformation explosion https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2024/03/21/stopping-birth-control-misinformation/ AI Marilyn Monroe Marks Another Step Forward In Extending Celebrity Brand Value Beyond The Grave: https://deadline.com/2024/03/ai-marilyn-monroe-marks-another-step-forward-in-extending-celebrity-brands-1235850875/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where is Kate Middleton? https://www.vox.com/culture/24087565/princess-kate-middleton-disappearance-rumors-explained-abdominal-surgery-kensington-palace The Kate Middleton photo scandal is a rare — and consequential — flub / A wave of wire services retracting a doctored image of the Princess of Wales and her kids set off a firestorm of conspiracy theories: https://www.theverge.com/2024/3/12/24098548/kate-middleton-royal-family-photoshop-manipulated-image The edited Princess Kate photo probably wasn't made with AI: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/internet/kate-middleton-photo-ai-image-photoshop-edit-rcna142799 Kate Middleton and the End of Shared Reality (paywalled): https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2024/03/kate-middleton-mothers-day-photo-fake/677718/ The Royal Family’s Kate Middleton Crisis Her disappearance isn’t just a tabloid sensation. It’s a sign of the monarchy’s deepening instability: https://www.thecut.com/article/where-is-kate-middleton-catherine-princess-of-wales-royal-family-crisis.html Women Who Break the Glass Ceiling Get a “Paper Cut”: Gender, Fame, and Media Sentiment: https://academic.oup.com/socpro/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/socpro/spac020/6563163?redirectedFrom=fulltext&login=false See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Biden said he would sign legislation into law banning TikTok if congress passes it. TikTok is one step closer to being banned in the United States after the legislation unanimously passed a big vote last week. Popular TikToker and misinformation researcher Abbie Richards and I discussed what a ban would mean for marginalized communities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What fake images of Trump with Black voters tell us about AI disinformation: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/06/what-fake-images-trump-with-black-voters-tell-us-about-ai-disinformation/ A bill that could lead to a TikTok ban is gaining momentum in Congress. Here's what to know: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tiktok-ban-congress-bill-bytedance-divest/ TikToker and disinfo expert Abbie Richards on why banning TikTok would harm marginalized communities: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banning-tiktok-would-hurt-marginalized-communities/id1520715907?i=1000606352152 Elon Musk switched on X calling by default: Here’s how to switch it off: https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/04/elon-musk-x-twitter-calling-privacy-switch-off/ AOC’s Plan to End Deepfake Porn: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/aoc-deepfakes-defiance-act-1234979373/ CBS Sued by ‘SEAL Team’ Scribe Over Alleged Racial Quotas for Hiring Writers: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/cbs-studios-paramount-reverse-discrimination-lawsuit-racial-quotas-1235842493/ Writers Sound Off About Litigious ‘SEAL Team’ Staffer Who Claims He Lost Gig Because He Was White & Male: https://deadline.com/2024/03/writers-reaction-seal-team-staffer-brian-beneker-lawsuit-discrimination-1235846195/ Thanks to the listener who helped get this obituary of Shafiqah Hudson published in the New York Times (if that listener is you - please reach out to me!): https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/us/shafiqah-hudson-dead.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special International Women’s Day episode, Bridget reflects on what honoring women means and talks to NBC’s Ali Vitali about why we haven’t seen a woman in the White House...yet. Check out Ali’s great book, Electable: Why America Hasn't Put a Woman in the White House . . . YET: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/electable-ali-vitali?variant=40087982473250 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The less-than-magical Willy Wonka event, briefly explained: https://www.vox.com/technology/2024/2/28/24086217/willy-wonka-glasgow-scotland Why Google's 'woke' AI problem won't be an easy fix: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-68412620 Black Nazis? A woman pope? That’s just the start of Google’s AI problem: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/2/28/24083814/google-gemini-ai-bias-ethics Tumblr CEO's public 'meltdown' is mocked, memed by users: https://mashable.com/article/tumblr-transphobia-matt-mullenweg X quietly revived anti-misgendering policy that Musk dropped last year: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/02/x-quietly-revived-anti-misgendering-policy-that-musk-dropped-last-year/ He's America's Favorite Librarian — And He's Just Getting Started Spreading 'Library Joy': https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mychal-threets-america-favorite-librarian-tiktok_n_65ab2fe8e4b00bbb446f3f7d Wendy's says it won't use surge pricing for burgers after announcing 'dynamic pricing.' What's the difference between the 2?: https://news.yahoo.com/wendys-says-it-wont-use-surge-pricing-for-burgers-after-announcing-dynamic-pricing-whats-the-difference-between-the-2-175039236.html See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here’s Why Everyone’s Watching the ‘Who TF Did I Marry?’ Series on TikTok: https://www.glamour.com/story/heres-why-everyones-watching-the-who-tf-did-i-marry-series-on-tiktok A Marketplace of Girl Influencers Managed by Moms and Stalked by Men: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/22/us/instagram-child-influencers.html Nex Benedict: Everything We Know About 16-Year-Old Oklahoma Student’s Death: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/nex-benedict-everything-we-know-about-16-year-old-oklahoma-students-death Schumer, LGBTQ+ advocates back updated kids online safety bill: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4469721-schumer-backs-updated-kids-online-safety-bill/ Don’t Fall for the Latest Changes to the Dangerous Kids Online Safety Act: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/02/dont-fall-latest-changes-dangerous-kids-online-safety-act Joey on Stuff Mom Never Told You breaking down Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA): https://omny.fm/shows/stuff-mom-never-told-you/what-is-kosa-and-why-is-it-so-scary Bobbi Althoff deepfake spotlights X’s role as a top source of AI porn: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/22/x-twitter-bobbi-althoff-deepfake-porn-viral/ How Ghana's Labour Act helped laid-off Twitter Africa staff to secure compensation: https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/How-Ghana-s-Labour-Act-helped-laid-off-Twitter-Africa-staff-to-secure-compensation-1917450 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shafiqah Hudson made the internet better for all of us. In honor of her brilliant life cut tragically short, we’re replaying our conversation from 2020. After Shafiqah Hudson uncovered bad actors pretending to be Black women on Twitter, spreading disinformation and discord, she sounded the alarm to Twitter officials. Unfortunately, they ignored her. So she created the hashtag #YourSlipIsShowing to help stamp them out herself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meta announces they will stop promoting "political" content, kicks the can on what "political" means. Internet shopping company Temu ran ads during the Super Bowl, but an awful lot of people claim that their app compromised their private information, and experts say it looks like malware. We don't recommend installing it! An unscrupulous anti-abortion company used geolocation data from a data broker to target people who had visited clinics with a national abortion misinformation campaign. On the streets of San Francisco strangers came together, put aside their differences, and joined forces to destroy a self-driving Waymo car. It's a news roundup! Uber, Lyft, DoorDash drivers in the U.S. to strike on Valentine’s Day for fair pay: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/uber-lyft-doordash-drivers-us-strike-valentines-day-fair-pay-rcna138450 Temu app contains ‘most dangerous’ spyware in circulation: class action lawsuit: https://www.fashiondive.com/news/temu-class-action-lawsuit-data-collection/699328/ Would you buy this Temu purse? https://www.instagram.com/p/Crl1copvr_u/ Instagram and Threads will no longer promote ‘political’ content. No one knows what they define as ‘political’ but it's a safe bet that (Daniel Day Lewis Voice) There Will Be Bias. https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/15/success/instagram-threads-political-content/index.html A data broker company tracked visits to 600 Planned Parenthood locations around the country, then sold the data to fuel an anti-abortion misinformation ad campaign, senator says: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/13/planned-parenthood-location-track-abortion-ads-00141172 Protesters Gather Outside OpenAI Headquarters: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-02-13/ai-protest-at-openai-hq-in-san-francisco-focuses-on-military-work?leadSource=reddit_wall A crowd destroyed a driverless Waymo car in San Francisco: https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/11/24069251/waymo-driverless-taxi-fire-vandalized-video-san-francisco-china-town Nearly 1 in 5 Americans believe Taylor Swift is involved in an election conspiracy theory: https://www.monmouth.edu/polling-institute/reports/MonmouthPoll_US_021424/ Weird times for media outlets: https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-weekend-essay/is-the-media-prepared-for-an-extinction-level-event See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.