Might be learning Mandarin ‘cause of Meta
You can take my data but you’ll never take my comfort creator
Welcome back everygirlz, as you may have guessed… we’re spiraling over the TikTok ban. (obviously!) In spite of the very legitimate sadness that comes with watching people face potentially losing their primary source of income and carefully curated community (which we’ll touch on more later), it has been truly hilarious to watch Americans line up to hand over their data in retaliation. ICYMI, Xiaohongshu AKA the Little Red Book app (China’s version of Tiktok) has rocketed to #1 on the app store as “TikTok refugees” flock there en masse, painstakingly Google translating comment sections and making new international friends. This single event may be doing more for global unity than our governments could (or want to) fathom.
While this is deeply amusing, what’s not so fun is that the loss of TikTok means the loss of a life-changing source of income for many people. No, we’re not just talking about the influencers that can now buy houses in the Hamptons. For many small businesses, the exposure they got on TikTok made all the difference. So while this app is still around, we’ll let creators do the talking. This video from Keith Lee, a food critic whose videos elevated and saved countless small businesses, is just a snippet of the impact this app has had. Brandon Edelman (better known as @bran_flakezz) was spot on with this take. Oh, and don’t even get us started on the economic impact. We know the economy is gonna take a hit if there’s no one convincing the girls they need to buy castor oil for their belly button!
In the event that the app does disappear, the people seem to be divided on their next steps. Creators are sending their followers to Reels and Shorts (yuck). Some TikTok users are dreaming of screen-free days spent touching grass and gardening, while others are (as already noted) signing over their data to any platform offering some semblance of the same dopamine hit. Our take? We may have accidentally subjected ourselves to pre-emptive withdrawal in the name of reducing our screentime (article on that incoming) and it’s safe to say we are anticipating a collective crash-out from the lack of stimulation.
But the plot thickens (because ofc it does). A bill has been introduced that would push back the timeline for ByteDance to sell to an American company (and you can contact your reps if you feel so moved!). Frankly, we’re not sure which is worse, losing TikTok to a ban or losing it to Elon Musk and Mr. Beast. Perhaps we’ll all permanently exchange cat pictures in the comment sections of Xiaohongshu. But until then, happy doom scrolling, and here’s what else we need to chat about this week:
In Other News:
Zuck is trying to distract us from all the anti-TikTok lobbying, rolling back of fact-checking, and eliminating DEI programs, by saying dumb stuff on a bro podcast. What else is new?
Actually, on the subject of making the workplace more masculine… let’s all remember Nikki Glaser actually made the Golden Globes enjoyable! Without saying anything deeply offensive (for the most part)! #womeninmaledominatedfields
Tarte has made everyone mad for the 3rd year in a row! What a streak! Yet, they also managed to serve us a microcosm of internet viral moments in the process. Ken Eurick x Aspyn Ovard? Give it to me. If Tiktok is going away, what an appropriate way to send it out to pasture.
Bad Bunny’s album made us redownload Duolingo for the first time since we were in Spanish 4 in high school (and also made us cry! Also potentially for the first time since Spanish 4 in high school!).
What’s Scarier: A Horror Piece - Nosferatu or the dystopia that is Beast Games?
Things We Hate Right Now:
Turning incredible tragedy and the climate change crisis into a right-wing DEI nonsense talking point
Paying $4.50 for a singular avocado the other day (non-organic, mind you)
People that are bitter that their gym is now crowded because of the “new years resolution people”… Let us stick to a goal for a month before we get too tired in peace!
The ways Shein will absolutely make a fool out of the 2025 fisherman trend
This season of Real Housewives of New York…
On Repeat
Brain Break!
Quick Hits
Stop asking me about…how I’m getting enough protein in. I’m just a woman with nothing but Trader Joe’s meals and a dream.
Something living rent-free in our head… Bill Nye The Science Guy getting awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom
Cheers,
the everygirlz
P.S. Want to ask us a question? Submit one here! Otherwise we may start offering unsolicited advice (that is a threat)