Episode #9×09: Paid ‘Blue Checks’ Head to Instagram For Suckers Like Andrew

  • Welcome to #Millennial, the home of pretend adulting and real talk!
  • In some airline news, the Justice Department is suing to stop the planned Jet Blue/Spirit Airlines merger, and multiple airlines are ditching fees charged for families trying to sit together.
  • Seemingly inspired by Elon Musk’s moves at Twitter, Meta will soon be offering “Meta Verified:” aka paying $15 a month for the coveted Blue Check.
  • Why is the Blue Check so desirable for some? Are there any cases where wanting one is warranted?
  • If everyone can pay a monthly fee to be verified, does being verified lose its meaning?
  • It’s time for some unpopular opinions: we’re inspired by a (now deleted) tweet, which asserts that most nonfiction books are unreadable.
  • We have some hot takes of our own: your phone should be silent most of the time, being an “empath” isn’t a thing, and airlines should get rid of the reclining functionality on all economy seats.
  • In light (lol) of Daylight Savings Time returning in a few short days, Laura delivers her yearly gripe about how stupid changing the clocks 2x a year is.
  • Will attempts at a permanent DST bill die in the House again this year? Probably.
  • Though some of us would love a little more sunlight in the evenings, experts warn that a permanent switch to Standard time would likely be better for our health.
  • This week’s recommendations are mostly practical, with a little entertainment sprinkled in: Digital temperature readers (Andrew), ‘Bass Reeves: No Master But Duty’ (Laura), and AHC Natural Perfection Sunscreen Stick (Pam). 

And in this week’s installment of After Dark, available on Patreon:

  • What tragic event were we all obsessed with as kids? Titanic is the obvious answer for many millennials, but we have a treasure trove of morbid interests.
  • The history, politics, and horrific assassination of the Romanov family, and subsequent mystery of Anastasia.
  • How an interest in the Oregon Trail led Pam to an obsession with the Donner Party.
  • Andrew has always been obsessed with water: the Johnstown Flood of 1889.

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