Hello fellow web crawlers! Andrew here. Welcome to today’s edition of web_crawlr.
Our top stories today are about: Trump fans spinning a conspiracy about a “chemical attack” at a recent rally, a study finding that AI is a better lie detector than humans, how a “Beetlejuice lips” beauty trend threatens to expose dishonest beauty influencers, and a woman warning that you could be “tricked” when shopping on Etsy.
After that, we’ve got another edition of “Meme History” for you.
Also: Don’t forget—if you haven’t taken our weekly news quiz, you still can! Just open yesterday’s newsletter to answer the question. If you guess correctly, you might win our brand new “Click or Treat” sweatshirt.
See you next week!
— A.W.
⚡ Today in Internet Culture
🧪 CONSPIRACY
Trump fans think rally hit with ‘chemical attack’ after attendees report burning in eyes
Supporters of former President Donald Trump are spreading wild conspiracy theories after attendees of a rally in Arizona developed unexplained eye pain.
🤖 AI
‘Algorithmic warnings’: Study finds AI is a better lie detector than humans. It could be huge for Facebook, Google, TikTok misinfo
A new study out of the University of California San Diego has found that machine learning was nearly 50% better than humans at detecting lies.
👄 VIRAL
‘Beetlejuice lips’ beauty trend inspires backlash: ‘An influencer’s nightmare’
A new TikTok makeup trend threatens to expose dishonest beauty influencers.
📦 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
‘Your Etsy finds are from Temu’: Woman says you could be getting ‘tricked’ if you shop on Etsy
Etsy was designed for small businesses to sell their vintage and handmade wares. But a woman is warning that might be a thing of the past due to resellers misusing the platform.
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By Kyle Calise
Video Producer
Meme History: Grumpy Cat
Meme History is a weekly column that dives deep into internet lore to uncover the history of famous memes. It runs on Saturdays in the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter. If you want to get this column a day before we publish it, subscribe to web_crawlr, where you’ll get the daily scoop of internet culture delivered straight to your inbox.
🕸️ Crawling the Web
Here is what else is happening across the ‘net.
🍗 A Popeyes worker showed how the fast food chain seasons their signature chicken—and viewers have some serious questions.
📦 This worker tried applying for a part-time shift at Amazon. The schedule was 84 hours a week.
🚘 If you were to write down all the ways car dealerships scam people, you’d probably be more prolific than Stephen King.
💵 A customer went viral on TikTok after she attempted to challenge two restaurant workers who charged her $15 for a paltry carryout meal. Viewers sided with the restaurant.
🏨 In a viral video, a hotel worker issues 8 things you should never do when visiting a hotel.
🛍️ From the Daily Dot archive: #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt: Why TikTok shopping is now the ordinary.
🤳 Today’s Viral Video
Embrace the Autumn memes.
