Liz Phelps

What Even Is Instagram Now? Long after shifting your feed away from friends and toward influencers, Instagram is adding new features intended to make the app more personal. The turnabout exposes the platform’s identity crisis.

Instagram is actually a great example of how “coolness” doesn’t come from copying everyone around you. It’s far better to just be true to thine own self.

This is a real ad for a Bay Area injury lawyer that I just saw.

Why it makes sense that Instagram users think a new map shares their location — even when it isn't Instagram rolled out a new map feature this week. Some users think it is sharing their location without their permission. I know why.

“1) Most people don't have any idea of how their phones and software work. 2) Many people dislike Meta, and many think Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is untrustworthy or worse.”

*slaps the internet out of your hands*

"It's poisoned!"

I had to make my IG account private a few years ago because a guy from college was harassing me/sending me unsolicited DMs. I know the comms surrounding this is that “location sharing is off by default,” but I think Meta failed realize how scary it is to roll this feature out as a “surprise.”

Also, I’m in SF this week if anyone has any feedback for these tech CEOs that they’d like passed along.

"Hawah"

Quite the wild week for bad tech upgrades/rollouts with the GPT-5 and Instagram Maps messes.

"Momtana" is kinda great, though. Same for "Mez Mico"

The Instagram Map discourse over on Threads is pretty bonkers rn

Spike Lee, John Waters, and More Decry Trump’s ‘Attacks on the Free Press’ Over 2000 members of the Writers Guild of America believe Donald Trump’s administration has committed ‘attacks on the free press.’ Spike Lee, John Waters, Ilana Glazer, and more endorsed an open letter against ‘unprecedented, authoritarian assault.’

Over 2000 members of the Writers Guild of America believe Donald Trump’s administration has committed ‘attacks on the free press.’ Spike Lee, John Waters, Ilana Glazer, and more endorsed an open letter against ‘unprecedented, authoritarian assault.’

“This is certainly not the first time that free speech has come under assault in this country, but free speech remains our right because generation after generation of Americans have dedicated themselves to its protection.”

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Is Shutting Down, but Not All Hope Is Lost The Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutters, but not all is lost. IndieWire spoke to two figures in public media, Eric Deggans and Sitara Nieves.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting shutters, but not all is lost. IndieWire spoke to two figures in public media, Eric Deggans and Sitara Nieves.

Column: Ad-supported streaming is the future. So why is the experience so bad? Poorly placed, low-quality, repetitive ads are more the scourge of streaming than they ever were of broadcast prime-time, writes culture critic Mary McNamara.

Column: Ad-supported streaming is the future. So why is the experience so bad?

Who to Yell At: A New Yorker’s Guide on Who to Call to Get Local Problems Fixed Whether you want to repair a broken mailbox, reserve public park space or get a new street tree planted, here’s how to be an effective squeaky wheel.

Love this from @thecity.nyc

*squints in DOGE cuts*

- Me trying to draft posts on this app.

(*Tommy Wiseau voice*) “This character limit is tearing me apartttt.”

Portable Benefits Could Reshape the Way Freelancers Get Healthcare. Let’s Make Sure We Get It Right New legislation seeks to introduce portable benefits, clearing barriers for clients to disperse money into an independent worker’s account to use for healthcare and other benefits like time off.

A great primer from @freelancersunion.bsky.social on new legislation (introduced by republican lawmakers!) that could help gig workers access health insurance and retirement plans. The bill could be a great step forward, but it could also be used to shield companies from misclassification lawsuits.

Disappointed that any playlist I try to make will always fail to match the Platonic Ideal, which was the "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch: The Album" tracklist.

Where the Democratic Party is going Based on the thousands of local candidates we're seeing

A little dose of hope from @runforsomething.net

"The Democratic Party is changing...local candidates -- a vast majority of whom are millennials and gen Z, running in all 50 states -- are bringing fresh energy and a new perspective into the party."

Putting a prayer out there to the Bluesky gods for a higher character limit and edit button on posts. 🙏

Their Water Taps Ran Dry When Meta Built Next Door

As someone who works in the entertainment industry, I am deeply concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence on creative communities. But it's important to remember that AI affects real-world communities as well.

Need these customer service bots to take it down a notch.

Zohran securing the Staten Island vote, I see…

“God has allowed me to live another day, and I’m going to make it Paramount’s problem.” - Stephen Colbert

Quite the quote from Colbert

Apologies to my neighbors for blasting the Juvenile Tiny Desk concert at 9am on a Sunday.