News: Daily Skimm: I feel a premonition

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Daily Skimm: I feel a premonition

October 6, 2021

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Skimm'd while getting weekly advice to help you live your best financial life

Quote of the Day

"A rare luxury" – A headline describing a 2,700-year-old toilet. A-hole lotta riches back then.

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The Story

Facebook's week just got worse.

Give me the status update.

Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported leaked findings from Facebook's internal research on Instagram's harmful effects. Especially on teens – and how the app negatively impacts their mental health. Cue: senators calling two hearings about all this. A Facebook exec defended the social media giant, saying most users have a positive experience with the app. Amid it all, no one knew the whistleblower's identity...until former Facebook product manager Frances Haugen entered the chat. Now, she's telling the Senate subcommittee everything she knows.

What's on her mind?

A lot. She said FB knew it was promoting anorexia content to young users. That different "authoritarian or terrorist-based leaders" (like China or Iran) were using the site to spy on people. And that from what she'd seen, execs would rather risk misinformation than risk losing money. (Haugen has said the company actually disbanded the Civil Integrity team right after the 2020 presidential election.) Now, she's calling on Congress to regulate social media and make it possible for people to sue companies over algorithms that promote harmful content.

How did Facebook react?

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Haugen's testimony painted a "false picture." And that the company cares "deeply" about safety. An FB spokesperson also tried to discredit Haugen, saying she hadn't worked on anything Instagram-related and had "no direct knowledge" of FB's work on child safety. Then, the company told Congress 'if you want us to follow rules, you gotta make them.' Meanwhile, there could be more revelations in store. That's because Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is saying Haugen should testify about how FB could have played a role in the Jan 6 insurrection.

theSkimm

Facebook can't seem to catch a break. But that's because the social media giant's continued to raise alarms – on everything from national security to child safety. And these testimonies might not let up until Facebook does something about it...or until Congress decides to act.

And Also...This

Whose dark history has been unveiled...

The French Catholic Church's. Yesterday, an independent commission said that thousands of French Catholic clergy abused over 200,000 children in the past 70 years. And that the majority of the victims were boys – many between the ages of 10 and 13. For two and a half years, officials gathered over 6,000 testimonies – from victims and witnesses – about abuse dating as far back as the 1950s. Now, after previewing the report earlier this week, the commission's saying church officials turned a blind eye, allowing abuse to continue. And called on the church to compensate the survivors and educate clergy on children's rights. While some cases passed the statute of limitations, others have been handed over to prosecutors.

Responses: Pope Francis said he was filled with great "sorrow" and thanked the survivors for their courage. A rep for the survivors reportedly called the church a "disgrace to our humanity."

Global echoes: This report follows similar inquiries in Catholic churches in England, Germany, and the US. And comes as the Catholic Church has changed laws to criminalize sex abuse.

Who people are talking about…

Ernest Johnson. Yesterday, the 61-year-old Missouri man was executed by lethal injection despite calls for clemency. Johnson – who is Black – received a death sentence for killing three people during a robbery in 1994. But his lawyers argued that it was unconstitutional to give Johnson the death penalty because he's intellectually disabled. Supporters – including Pope Francis – urged Gov. Mike Parson (R) to stop Johnson's execution. But Parson said the state would move forward and "deliver justice." And the US Supreme Court denied a request to stop it. Before his death, Johnson reportedly apologized for his crimes and thanked his lawyers for their support. His execution was Missouri's first since May 2020.

What's been pulled over...

Tesla. Earlier this week, a San Francisco jury ordered the EV company to pay nearly $137 million to a former worker over a discrimination lawsuit. In 2015, Owen Diaz – who is Black – was contracted as an elevator operator. During his time at Tesla's Fremont plant, Diaz said he was subjected to a racist hostile environment – where he dealt with "daily racial epithets" and was told to "go back to Africa.'' Diaz sued. Now, a jury's saying 'we hear you' and awarded damages. Diaz said "a big weight" was lifted off his shoulders. Tesla's saying they're "not perfect" and have come "a long way" from five years ago.

What'll probably be checked out at libraries...

This memoir and this magazine.

Yes Shade(s)

No shade to your makeup bag, but it could probably use some upgrades. Like Saie Beauty's clean, award-winning tinted moisturizer. It regularly sells out (along with their Sun Melt bronzer and Glowy Super Gel highlighter), but is in stock now. Oh, and comes in 14 shades. So you can get one that matches juuust right. Plus, thanks to nourishing ingredients, it doubles as skincare. We're talking...

Hyaluronic acid. You've probably heard about (and avoided saying) this one. It absorbs up to 1,000 times its weight in water. We gasped too.
Pansy flower. Which can help you say 'hi' to more moisture and 'bye' to irritation.
Licorice root extract. Aka a brightening agent that fights hyperpigmentation and inflammation.

The best part? Only Skimm'rs get 15% off. Glow get it.

Thing to Know

Fika

The Swedish tradition of having coffee, a sweet snack, and some conversation...just because. Swedes use "fika" as a verb and a noun, and they tend to fika twice a day. That's a lotta fika.

Fika is really all about slowwwwing down and connecting with friends or colleagues, sans stress. If you're thinking 'where do I sign up,' we got you. In fact, we're partnering with Gevalia to (drumroll, please) bring back the coffee break. Leaving your desk, taking deep breaths, and savoring some joe included. So watch this space for reminders to take a tip from the Swedes and take. a. break. And check out Gevalia for all the inspiration (and caffeine) you need. Coffee's on.

Time for a pop quiz.

True or false: Breast cancer always causes a lump you can feel.

Well, actually...It's false. You know the word "always" is a dead giveaway. And you should also know this: Although a lump could be a sign of breast cancer, so could several other symptoms, such as skin dimpling or nipple discharge. Read up on everything else you need to know about breast cancer, in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

PS: Like Halloween, health myths create a lot of mischief. So we're debunking them all month long in the Daily Skimm and @theSkimm on Instagram.

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. A nightcap that'll help you catch the best Zzz's. Think of it as hot cocoa that does the most. Because Beam's best-selling Dream powder practically does. It's full of sleep-enhancing vitamins, minerals, and nano CBD. And Skimm'rs get 10 nights' worth for $35.*

2. Jeans that are as good for the planet as they are for your closet. Our fave kind. This brand uses all-natural ingredients to dye their pieces. And 100% of their waste is recycled into yarn or insulation for local housing. Denim is the new green.*

3. Cookware you need this holiday season. Cue family, friends, and dinner parties. Own it with this all-in-one, nonstick pan. It can steam, sautée, boil, braise, and more. Plus it comes in nine adorable colors. Oh, and Skimm'rs get $30 off for a limited time.*

4. Sex toys for every person and preference. So you can explore your body and your partner's body. We've got different types of vibrators, plus a few more R-rated items. Alexa, play "Let's Get It On."

5. Things that'll help spark creativity and increase productivity. This way you can put your time and energy to good use and be able to relax at the end of the day. Work-hard, play-hard mode = activated.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

Skimm'rs

It's Hispanic Heritage Month. So we're honoring Latinx leaders and recognizing Latinx-owned businesses & orgs for doing great things for the world and for their communities. Nominate yourself or someone you know here.

Dancing with…Michelle M (NY). She's the director of Ballet Hispánico's School of Dance and has been a dance educator at several universities and dance centers/studios. Now, she's creating new work for the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Multi-talented...Ivet C (NV). She's the CEO and founder of IC Media Strategy. And a Latinx PR professional who's helped develop bilingual communications strategies in efforts to reach the Latinx community.

(Some) Birthdays...Alexa von Tobel (NY), Jon Cohen (MA), Steve Schlafman (NY), Beth Bloink (NJ), Alice Liu (MA), Rachel McCorkle (NY), Jaclyn Theoharis (NY), Tommy Jenkins (IN), Jen Taylor (PA), Reagan Stofcheck (OH), Maegan Clark (TX), Victoria Ward (SC), Destiny Sanders (CT), Beth Bloink (NJ)

We spoke to psychotherapist Esther Perel about how to have tough convos with your work friends. Plus, her advice on how to be both a manager and a friend.

And if you're looking for other smart ways to spend your time…

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