“BREAKING: Anti-Trans Propagandist Abigail Shrier was one of a "team" given access to unknown number of records on Twitter's moderation decisions by owner Elon Musk.
https://t.co/WeEVjAp0PE”
“.@elonmusk, yes or no — do Weiss and Taibbi have access to users’ DMs? It would be good to get clear explanation about this screen and yes/no answer to this straightforward question.”
“Bari Weiss confirming what we all knew, Libs of Tiktok was given special preferential treatment despite her account breaking the rules several times.
Despite Bari's claims, LoTT was removed from search on November 19th.”
“What? Bari Weiss misrepresenting stuff to fanboys to make a big conspiracy out of something that is clearly not a big conspiracy?
How... not surprising.”
“"Now, Weiss has been given access to Twitter's employee systems, added to its Slack, and given a company laptop, two people familiar with her presence said.
The level of access to Twitter systems given to Weiss is typically given only to employees..."
“God, it’s come to this! I am agreeing with @kayvz, whom I usually yell at for all manner of Twitter fuckups over the years. But no executive I ever talked to ever denied de-amplifying accounts for various violations, tho using the word shadowban sounds more sinister.”
“Business translator: “Secret group” aka public company management, who are described in all regulatory filings in copious detail, whose job it is to deal with such sensitive issues and — stick with me here since it is apparently murky to some — run the company.”
“This entire thread from Weiss, and supposed exposé on Twitter's 'secret blacklists,' is exactly what @elonmusk says his current content moderation policy for Twitter is!”
Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Not too soon after Grindr users reported that the phrase "no Zionists" triggers an error message when they try to put the phrase in the bio section of their profile, the app reversed its stance.
In a statement to Out, Grindr said that the policy change was "implemented following user escalations around its potentially inflammatory nature." However, a spokesperson for the app confirmed that they regularly examine its moderation policies and said that the company "recently decided to reverse this one upon review.”
The app is once again allowing the phrase after 404 Media reported that the app banned it and still allowed users to put words like "No FFA (fat, femmes, or Asians)," a common phrase used to discriminate against other users and other exclusionary language.
It's unclear when the ban on the "no Zionists" phrase started, but users have reported seeing the phrase on the app in the past year. A Zionist refers to a person who supports the belief that all Jews constitute one nation; since the war between Israel and Gaza began in 2023, many supporters of Palestine have been vocal in opposing Zionism as a political and ideological movement. But some Zionists have framed this opposition as antisemitic.
There is no specific ban against "no Zionists" in the app's terms of service, but the terms do note that users are not allowed to "post, store, send, transmit, or disseminate any information or material which a reasonable person could deem to be objectionable, defamatory, libelous, offensive, obscene, indecent, pornographic, harassing, threatening, embarrassing, distressing, vulgar, hateful, racially or ethnically or otherwise offensive to any group or individual, intentionally misleading, false, or otherwise inappropriate, regardless of whether this material or its dissemination is unlawful.”
The app has long been criticized for allowing discriminatory phrases that are passed off as "preferences" based on race, and in recent years, the company has made moves to try to combat this by removing the ethnicity filter in 2020.
This story has been updated to reflect Grindr's decision to reverse the ban on including "no Zionists" in profiles.
From left: A Teslas Cybertruck and Tesla founder Elon Musk speaks during a town hall for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center & Fairgrounds on October 18, 2024 in Oaks, Pennsylvania.
Jonathan Weiss/Shutterstock; Alex Wong/Getty Images
Musk’s increased visibility and connection to the Trump administration has been a popularity test that he seems to have failed — at least in Europe. The electric car company sold nearly 60% fewer cars in Germany last month than it did in the previous January.
On Wednesday, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority reported that the number of newly registered Tesla vehicles dropped 59.5% in January, while the overall German market was only down 2.8% during the same period, Reuters reports.
This drastic drop in sales comes during the same month when Musk criticized Germans for having “too much of a focus on past guilt” for crimes Nazis committed during the Holocaust and urged people to vote for a hard-right nationalist party during Germany’s general election, according to the New York Times.
Despite Germany being home to Tesla’s only factory in Europe, only 1,277 new Teslas were registered last month. Instead, Germans were buying domestic and Chinese electric cars, which increased by 54% in demand in January.
But it wasn’t just Germany where Tesla sales are taking a nosedive, sales also plummeted 63% in France and 12% in Britain, where Musk has made inflammatory comments about Prime Minister Keir Starker.
Car registration data earlier this month shows that registered Teslas were down 44% in Sweden — where Tesla mechanics have been striking for more than a year now — and 38% in Norway.
According to the New York Times, a report by Schmidt Automotive Research linked the drop in sales in Germany to incendiary comments Musk made while speaking at a gathering of the ultra-conservative Alternative for Germany party just days before the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the gesture Musk at Trump’s inauguration celebration, which most people agree was a Nazi salute.
There could be reasons for dwindling Tesla purchases other than Musk being embroiled in controversy, including that consumers may be waiting for the updated Model Y to make their purchase.
In the U.S., where Musk has had increased visibility this year as he inserts himself into the American government and the Trump administration, there has also been a drop off in sales, though it hasn’t been as drastic as in Europe. According to the California New Car Dealers Association, registrations of new Teslas in the state plummeted by 11.6% in 2024 despite the overall sale of electric cars and trucks increasing by 1.2%.
How to take the perfect dating app photo to boost your matches, according to photographers
How to take the perfect dating app photo to boost your matches, according to photographers
If you're looking for love in the new year you probably already know that building the perfect dating app profile takes time. It doesn't just happen accidentally. It takes finesse!
That's why we polled the experts on how to write the best profile, and the kind of photos people want to see, but maybe you're wondering how to take those pics that make you look your most alluring.
Now we're back with advice from two professional photographers. Atlanta-based portrait and wedding photographer Omotola Ajibade, and Pittsburgh-based portrait photographer and photography teacher Don Orkoskey laid out all the details on how to hone your selfie-taking skills.
Here are 5 tips from Ajibade and Orkoskey to take your selfies to the next level!
Contrast makes you pop!
Courtesy of ViDI Studios/Shutterstock
"First, people are drawn to contrast," says Orkoskey. "So, make sure that you're well-lit but that your background is dark. It doesn't need to be black, but it should make you really stand out from the background and pop off the screen."
This tip applies to a lot more than just your background, it's also good to consider when planning what you're going to wear. "Contrasting colors help us to pop off the page as well. It's important to know what colors you look good in. It doesn't matter if it's jewel tones or earth tones. You can make those pop by using brightly colored accessories. Just make sure you're not overdoing it, you don't want to be a neon sign unless that's really your personality, in which case, go for it!"
Pay attention to lighting.
Courtesy of DavideAngelini/Shutterstock
Ajibade keeps his lighting advice simple, and says, "The most important thing is to position yourself so your face and eyes are well-illuminated."
In practice, here's what you want to look for. "Generally, I recommend avoiding lighting situations where the light is coming from exactly above or below the person's chin," he says. "In the first scenario, the light can create a hotspot directly on the forehead, making it look larger than reality. Light from below tends to look unnatural and ghoulish because very little light enters the eyes. In such situations, you may need additional lighting."
This is another aspect where Orkoskey's contrast advice is applicable! He says, "When it comes to finding contrast you've got to be like Punxsutawney Phil and look for your shadow. I call this the Punxsutawney Rule, if you can see your shadow and the edges of it are hard you've got the right amount of contrast to make a photo that will pop. The challenge now is to face into that light without it causing you to squint. If you can catch some of that light in your eyes to make them sparkle you'll be irresistible."
Angles. Are. Everything.
Courtesy of ViDI Studios/Shutterstock
Case in point for how important angles are? Orkoskey says, "When it comes to the right angle to photograph yourself think back to 2020's Zoom face fiasco and compare that with the standard selfie angle. The reason the selfie angle is more flattering is because whatever is closer to the camera is going to appear larger."
Play with positioning your camera. "If you're self-conscious about your midsection then placing the camera slightly above your eyeline will move that part of your body farther away from the camera," explains Orkoskey. "On the other hand, if you love your curves, show them off."
Ajibade explains that this is true for whatever you place in front of the camera — and that this gives you a lot of power to highlight your favorite features. "Whatever is closest to the camera is always going to be the largest in the frame, and that's the thing that viewers' eyes will most likely be drawn to. This can be a great opportunity to highlight a feature you love about yourself. So, if you love your smile, then angle it so it features more prominently. Additionally, this means you can de-emphasize other parts you might be insecure about by pushing them further from the camera."
However, Ajibade also warns against taking this advice too far. "Avoid extreme angles unless they serve an intentional purpose. For example, angling the camera up towards the subject too much can create a powerful and domineering appearance. Likewise, angling the camera down towards your subject can create a more diminutive or demure look. If that's not your general vibe, avoid making images that create that impression."
Selfies are like real estate: location, location, location!
Courtesy of koldo_studios/Shutterstock
You should be the main focus of any picture, but the setting and background are also a great way to show more of your personality. "For any portrait," says Ajibade, "I always recommend being comfortable in your clothing, the environment, and the situation. Part of the utility of photographs is that they allow your potential match to envision what a date with you might look like. Some of your photos should be in places that you're comfortable in like a favorite park, coffee shop, bookstore, etc."
He also has some very logical tips for showing off your interests and hobbies without broadcasting too much information to strangers. "Sometimes, people are worried about security and safety. If that's the case, pick a location that is similar to your favorite place (maybe even on the other side of town) but not your exact favorite place." A genius idea!
Authentic is always better than perfect.
Courtesy of ViDI Studios/Shutterstock
Remember: these aren't for starting a modeling career, they're for prospective partners to get a sense of who you are. So be yourself! Ajibade says. "Your images should help you imagine what dates with you could look or feel like. I generally recommend at least one photo of each of the following: a casual/everyday look (for low-stakes outings), a dressed-up look (for important occasions like a work party, fancy dinners, etc.), and a photo of you participating in a favorite hobby or pastime. The hobby photo can include pictures with friends, provided they consent to having their photos on the internet."
He also advises against looking overly stiff or posed. "When working with portrait clients, one thing I do get a real smile is to play a special from their favorite comedian or ask them to think of something funny. Often, within a few minutes, we've got a couple of real smiles and have loosened up for the rest of the shoot."
Orkoskey reminds us that even if you're not naturally comfortable in front of the camera, you've got to fake it until you make it! "Your face should look natural but if you're too worried about the photos that stress is going to show. So, if you can't shake the anxious look then channel someone you love and respect. Think about how they'd pose, the expression they'd use, the power and confidence they have. This will make all the stress leave your body. Just be aware that it might also make you look self-absorbed or over confident so be sure to pay attention to how much you're putting on in case you need to take it down a notch."
And there you have, go forth and level up that selfie game!
Experts cited:
Omotola Ajibade, a portrait and wedding photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Don Orkoskey, a portrait photographer and photography teacher based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Meta Connect developer conference - 25 September 2024, USA, Menlo Park: At the Meta Connect developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg, head of the Facebook group Meta, shows the prototype of computer glasses that can display digital objects in transparent lenses.
digital collage by Nikki Aye for Pride.com, photo by Andrej Sokolow/picture alliance via Getty Images
Meta Connect developer conference - 25 September 2024, USA, Menlo Park: At the Meta Connect developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg, head of the Facebook group Meta, shows the prototype of computer glasses that can display digital objects in transparent lenses.
In a video posted on Tuesday, not only did Zuckerberg announce that he is rolling back fact-checking that kept Instagram, Facebook, and Threads from becoming a haven for hate speech and misinformation, but he said that he was planning to collaborate with President-elect Donald Trump to oppose international regulations of social media companies after meeting with the MAGA leader at Mar-a-Lago and donating $1 million to his inauguration. Bluesky is look better everyday!
“We’re going to simplify our content policies and get rid of a bunch of restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are just out of touch with mainstream discourse,” he said. “What started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas, and it’s gone too far.”
Because Zuckerberg moral fortitude appears to be the equivalent of a used piece of gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, this week Meta also announced that the social media juggernaut was making sweeping changes to its content moderation policies, granting users the ability to post hate speech about race, nationalities, ethnic groups, and of course, sexual orientation and gender identity, claiming that it’s doing this because these topics are often part of the political discourse.
To the delight of Zuckerberg haters everywhere, people on the internet decided to troll the Meta founder and his newly fact-checking free social media platforms by posting the most outrageous and bonkers “facts” about him. These included outrageously hilarious lies about him and faux obituaries with fun facts like Zuckerberg having “his head surgically removed, flown to an undisclosed location in Germany and Cryogenically frozen” and dying after a “longtime battle with werewolf gonorrhea.” Yep, that checks out!
Keep scrolling to see the funniest fake obituaries and “facts” clowning on Mark Zuckerberg.
"Now I don't know who to believe."
"Is it true, Mark? No fact checkers in place!"
"Important News: Mark Zuckerberg was found dead yesterday. Despite rumors that he had Corona and was dying of syphilis, I have it on good authority that he was mauled to death by an escaped albino tiger with only three legs & a bad eye. Do NOT fact check me. I have free speech."
"Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg – who died of a drug overdose in his Californian home today – says it is not Facebook’s role to be the arbiter of truth for everything people post online."
"BREAKING: shortly after announcing that he would eliminate fact-checking on his social media platform, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg promptly divorced his wife of 13 years, Priscilla Chan, and married Emmy Award winner Jonathan Van Ness."
"Putting things to the test on instagram."
"Meta CEO and dog fucker Mark Zuckerberg has said that his platforms don’t need fact-checkers. So to celebrate this win for free speech, we wanted to relive his best quotes."
“'At press time, Zuckerberg had reportedly died after a longtime battle with werewolf gonorrhea.' It was always going to bite him in the end."
"Shortly after announcing he would eliminate fact-checking on his social media platform, Mark Zuckerberg was found deceased in an under-aged Thailand brothel, where his head was then surgically removed, flown to an undisclosed location in Germany and Cryogenically frozen."
“This is an updated version of the article: Mark Zuckerberg – Dead at 36 – Says Social Media Sites Should Not Fact Check Posts”
"Just saw the news that Mark Zuckerberg Will Stop Fact Checking on his platforms. The response has been pretty funny lol"
"No more fact-checking, promises horse-f**ker Mark Zuckerberg."
"Fact check: Mark Zuckerberg is a doppelganger for my middle-aged lesbian neighbor."
"Someone told me they read on Meta that he had a large number of goats with him, many of them underaged. I think he will regret ending fact checking. It will backfire in his face."
