Newsletter: 🎂 ‘Insulting’ AI birthday text

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Hello fellow web crawlers! Andrew here. Welcome to today's edition of web_crawlr. 

Our top stories today are about: A woman catching her boyfriend using AI to send her a birthday text, someone's chilling story about hearing strange noises in her basement, an expert warning about using two pillows when you sleep, and why some iPhone users are panicking over a Starlink iOS update.

After that, our Assistant Newsletter Editor Kira has a "Decoding Fandom" column for you. 

See you tomorrow! 

— A.W. 

⚡ Today in Internet Culture

🎂 INTERNET-ERA DATING
‘Should I say something?’: Woman doesn’t know how to respond after her boyfriend sends ChatGPT-generated birthday text

A Reddit user has asked for advice after receiving an abnormal text message from their boyfriend that they realized was A.I.-generated.

➤READ MORE

😨 WTF
‘As a 911 dispatcher, this is a legit reason to call’: Woman hears mystery noise in the basement at 2:30am. Then she goes downstairs and records

A woman recently shared a chilling experience after hearing strange noises coming from her downstairs bathroom in the middle of the night.

➤READ MORE

🛏️ THE MORE YOU KNOW
‘I need you to beware’: Expert warns against using 2 pillows when you sleep. Here’s why

“I need you to beware of two-pillow syndrome,” she says.

➤READ MORE

🛰️ TECH
iPhone owners panic over Starlink iOS update—but fears are entirely overblown

iPhone owners called on Apple users to refuse to update their devices as speculation swirls over the inclusion of Starlink technology in iOS version 18.3.

➤READ MORE

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By Kira Deshler
Assistant Newsletter Editor

Here's why some fans are boycotting the upcoming ‘Scream 7’ film

In each edition of web_crawlr we have exclusive original content every day. On Wednesdays our Assistant Newsletter Editor Kira Deshler dives deep into the world of fan culture in her “Decoding Fandom” column. If you want to read columns like this before everyone else, subscribe to web_crawlr to get your daily scoop of internet culture delivered straight to your inbox.

🕸️ Crawling the Web

Here is what else is happening across the 'net.

🚶‍♂️ Ever noticed a customer following you around Walmart? It might be a floorwalker, a plain-clothed loss prevention worker who keeps tabs on customers as they shop.

🛋️ Buying new furniture can be a hassle. You need to get rid of the old one, clear out space for the new one, and coordinate with the furniture company for the delivery. The latter seems to be the most frustrating part for this Ashley Furniture customer.

🥤 A TikToker has gone viral after discovering something disturbing about her new Stanley cup.

🐶 This vet says pet shampoos are a ‘scam’ solution. He says do this instead for your dog.

⚰️ From the Daily Dot archive: Is your kid attending funerals on Roblox?

📝 Question of the Day

Everyone's got opinions, and we want to know yours. Just click a button below to answer the question, and tomorrow we will let you know how fellow web crawlers like you answered. 

DO YOU USE TWO PILLOWS WHEN YOU SLEEP? 

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🤳 Today's Viral Video

Is Trump's DEI rollback impacting the groceries available for nonwhite shoppers?

🎶 Now Playing: "Serial Killer" by Lana Del Rey 🎶