Social Media

December 13, 2023

Hair-Loss TikTok Offers Community, and Dubious Recommendations

Zeph Sanders was 20 when his hair began to fall out. As it thinned from the density of AstroTurf to spare wisps, he hid his head […]
December 2, 2023

Being a Woman in Magic May be the Hardest Trick of All

Though it was nearly five decades ago, Gay Blackstone can still vividly recall the first time she was sawed in half onstage. Her screams were an […]
December 1, 2023

Houston Fans Flock to See “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé”

Her hometown BeyHive gathered to watch her nearly three-hour concert movie. Fans in silver hats, pants and boots flooded movie theaters on Thursday night as they […]
November 29, 2023

The Artist Who Photoshops Paddington Into Everything

For nearly 1,000 straight days, Jason Chou has inserted Paddington, the anthropomorphized bear, into absurd situations. He has no plans to stop. Paddington is the busiest […]
November 21, 2023

Who’s That Wonderful Girl? How “Nanalan’” Found New Success on TikTok

She’s Mona, the puppet heroine of “Nanalan’,” an old Canadian children’s show that has found a new audience on TikTok. “Nanalan’” hasn’t been on TV in […]
November 19, 2023

How Targeted Weight Loss Ads Can Haunt Future Brides

When women post about their engagements and upcoming weddings on social media, an unexpected, potentially damaging specter arrives: targeted weight loss ads. After Lauren Aitchison became […]
November 15, 2023

A Social Media Star at 98

On a recent evening in the West Village of Manhattan, Dorothy Wiggins, a petite 98-year-old woman wearing a dark coat and a pink scarf, left her […]
November 8, 2023

Can You Understand Gen Alpha’s Slang?

Are you a “sigma”? Do you have “rizz”? The youngest generation is bamboozling its elders with terms all their own. Do you know what a gyat […]
November 6, 2023

What Is ‘Looksmaxxing’?

“Looksmaxxers” are a booming online community creating new terms for age-old insecurities. Skin-care routines, hair care, a good night’s sleep: These are not cutting-edge suggestions for […]
November 3, 2023

Gen Z Beatles Fans Come Together on TikTok

“Can’t believe it’s 2023 and I get the joy of hearing a new Beatles song for the first time ever,” a 23-year-old says in a video […]