Daily Skimm Weekend: August slipped away into a moment in time

…in your Spotify queue: Meghan Markle talking ambition, double standards, and being a mom with Serena Williams in her podcast.

…in your TikTok feed: We can’t imagine a more beautiful thing than the corn song.

…in your AirPods: Demi Lovato’s “29” is inspiring people to open up.

…in your group chat: Many are seeing red, because a beloved fast-fashion brand might not really have gone green. 

…in your grocery list: A hangover cure — for those who aren’t (yet) sober curious.

An 'FN' Problem: This week, Capitol Records dropped rapper FN Meka — and apologized after some called out the “gross stereotypes” perpetuated by the artist. In an era of greater accountability, the move wasn’t that surprising. Except for one thing: FN Meka is a robot.

The Story

Earlier this month, Capitol Records signed FN Meka — an AI rapper that is voiced by humans, and generates songs by analyzing lyrics from real-life artists. The label said he was “the world's first A.R artist to sign with a major label.” But critics quickly called out the harmful stereotypes in the robot's look and design — and his use of racial slurs — as a “direct insult to the Black community.” Many have brought up the issue of “digital blackface” given that FN Meka's creators are not Black. On top of that, one artist who says he was involved early on, Kyle the Hooligan, says the creators never compensated him for his input and then “ghosted” him.

So FN Meka lost his deal?

Yes. And this has all raised questions about the future of AI influencers. They're technically virtual personalities that have the same purpose as human influencers. Think: Attracting a large fan base. Selling goods. Turning a profit. Having real contracts with brands and labels. And interacting with fans. Some really do gain big followings on social media. Plus, they have an advantage over human influencers: They never age, and they can be in multiple places at once. One of the first to prove their worth was Lil Miquela, who debuted in 2016. Her IG account got over a million followers, and reportedly earned her creators a $125 million investment round. 

Wow.

You said it. These days, our feeds are awash with digital models, fashion icons, and ”artists” like FN Meka. But for all their innovativeness and advantages, AI influencers can be just as controversial as real-life ones. See: The virtual model Shudu Gram, accused of profiting off of Black women. Lil Miquela herself, who received backlash for queerbaiting after ‘kissing’ Bella Hadid in a Calvin Klein ad. And many have been criticized for fueling unrealistic beauty standards.

Here's a look at the reads we’ve saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

5 Photojournalists On The Russia-Ukraine War...and why “people shouldn’t look away.” 

Why Does My ‘For You Page’ Want Me to Practice Post-Sex Aftercare?…turns out, emotional tending is also important. 

Your Doppelgänger Is Out There and You Probably Share DNA With Them…even if you’re not related.

Downtime doesn’t have to mean doing nothing. Here’s one idea for making the most of your weekend.

Ever wish you could gaze into a crystal ball for clarity? You’re not alone. And even if predicting the future is an imprecise art, there’s no harm in taking advantage of all the maps and tools the cosmos may offer. 

So, whether you’re wondering what it means to be “such a Libra,” or you’re already someone who asks dates for their Big 3, astrology can be a fun way to get a read on situations. Like how your personality compares to your friends’. Or what your communication and relationship styles might be. And whether your texts and emails could go haywire (hi, Mercury retrograde). If your interest is piqued, try a class to learn your chart. There are also lots of apps, from ones that focus on moon phases, to others that are hyper-personalized, or that have a mindfulness and social-justice slant.

And if you’re curious about tarot cards, getting to know your deck is the first step. (Pro tip: There are many to choose from, but you can’t go wrong with a classic.) Find an app or a virtual class to learn the ins and outs of each card. 

Finally, host a party with friends. Do lots of readings, track each other’s astrology charts, and try to gaze into the future. Don’t forget to set the mood with candles, crystals, books, and herbal tea (or maybe wine, if the right planets align). Happy seeking!  

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

1. How to rack up huge travel rewards. These no-annual-fee travel cards were made for jet-setters. You can save big $$$ and earn miles toward your next vacay by making everyday purchases. Plus, there are no foreign transaction fees. Learn more.*

2. A suuuuper comfy pillow for side sleepers. Say ‘bye’ to night sweats and neck pain with this cool-inducing memory foam pillow. Complete with three adjustable settings (think: plush, medium, and firm). Here’s 10% off your first order and up to 40% off bundles.*

3. Problem-solving beauty products. Frizzy hair, chapped lips, and buttne, begone. These items will help solve your toughest beauty-related struggles.

More Skimm, more knowledge. Here’s what else we covered this week…

• Inside the world of an abortion doula

• Here's how buying a house works in the metaverse

• Our best tips for acing a phone interview

• All about the new COVID-19 vaccine for teens over 12

• Have federal student loans? Here's everything you need to know about repayment and loan forgiveness

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

MTV Video Music Awards. Tune in to see Lizzo, J Balvin, BLACKPINK, Bad Bunny, and more. And follow us on IG for live coverage.

The 2022 US Open begins. And, it could be the last time GOAT Serena Williams competes.

The launch of NASA’s Artemis I mission. Find out how to watch it here.

Calling all ‘basic autumn lovers,’ Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice miiiight be back.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.

Join now – engage with our content, earn points, and use those points to unlock rewards. Think: swag, exclusive content, sweepstakes, and more. Start earning and get in on it here.