In this episode, Melissa and Paul ask: Why is it so hard to leave a group chat? Group chats started as a fun way to stay connected, but now they can feel like digital traps we can’t escape. Melissa and Paul dive into the blurred lines between connection and obligation, exploring how group chats often reflect deeper questions about digital etiquette, boundaries, and our modern desire to stay connected—even when we'd rather check out.

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In this wide-ranging conversation, Melissa and Paul discuss the recent "bratification" of Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign and its implications for politics, internet culture, and democracy. They explore how memes and social media are shaping political discourse, the challenges of media literacy in the age of AI, and concerns about the digital divide. The hosts reflect on generational differences in online engagement, the power of mobilizing real-world action, and the need for reimagining political systems. Throughout, they grapple with feelings of hope and skepticism about technology's role in social change. This thought-provoking discussion touches on everything from Charlie XCX to Mark Fisher as it examines the intersection of pop culture, politics, and digital media in 2024.

https://x.com/annastewartcnn/status/1815843947249557923

https://x.com/jdgtranen/status/1815504638851899692

https://x.com/gladstoned420/status/1815466962140680533?s=10

https://x.com/julesterpak/status/1815444787375599814

https://www.tiktok.com/@flextillerson/video/7388373417835121962?_r=1&_t=8oLQ3yQlS4s

https://www.tiktok.com/@todarrensworld/video/7394559568250162478?_r=1&_t=8oLPtGqJ9rZ

https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-president-black-women-support-bdd0ba0a19697c7cd2f183773e97aa6e#:~:text=(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Four%20years%20ago,her%20brand%2Dnew%20presidential%20campaign

https://www.thecut.com/article/white-women-kamala-harris-zoom-call.html

Questioning the balance between living in the moment and the digital urge to document everything. Closing My Tabs on Freya India's substack article "You don't need to document everything."

And we're back. Well. Melissa is. New year, new intentions, same ragrets. A little moment of reflection as we enter the new year. I and everyone around me, we're all just, like, realizing things.

Hello hello after a little time off we are back and discussing...everything. In this episode, Melissa and Paul chat through the current state of social and discuss everything from Threads to the writer's strike to how Canadians will no longer have access to news content on Facebook and Instagram. Gang gang! Ice cream! What a time to be alive!

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Are we depressed or are we too online? In this episode, Melissa and Paul get real about their complicated relationship with social media. They discuss PSMU (problematic social media use) and challenge themselves to climb out of the deep dark algorithmic rabbit role they've made careers out of. Mindfulness! Digital Detoxes! Mental Wellbeing! It's healing season, baby.

In this episode of "Send Me the Link," PK Lawton and Melissa Eshaghbeigi explore the world of LinkedIn, examining its benefits and drawbacks as well as any potential risks. They draw attention to the platform's problematic culture, which is disproportionately geared toward men and does not take racial or gender identity into account. By showing examples of the "worst of LinkedIn," they show how harassment and misreading of signals can happen. The podcast also critiques the lack of critical analysis of LinkedIn culture, leading to potentially negative consequences. Join them as they navigate the complexities of professional networking on LinkedIn.

From the #tartedubai influencer trip to Mikayla Noguiera's lashlighting controversy all the way to North Korea, in this episode Paul and Melissa talk about the current state and future of the influencer economy. 

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In this episode, Paul introduces Melissa to #corecore, a mixed media trend born on TikTok. The videos that fall under this hashtag are rich texts and perhaps the most zeitgeist-y thing we've come across yet. #corecore is a true artifact of our time.

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Hello hi. Remember when I said I was starting a podcast? Turns out that's hard and mid-way through a never-ending pandemic, even harder! Whodda thought?! Anyways. hi. Send me things. @closingmytabs or [email protected]