FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Panopticons, the Joy Luck Club & Don Jr.'s bad behavior.

PLUS a book giveaway!

Earlier this week I posted on my IG about my feelings of intense nostalgia for a time before smartphones and I got hundreds of responses. I love my phone (too much) and the public square social media provides us. I'm not a luddite who wants to turn back time. But I also think there’s a deep authenticity in our shared experience that goes beyond mere yearning for a time that didn’t exist. Many of you shared that your attention spans have shortened and you fear that the panopticonic nature of modern life has changed our habits in a bad way.

I know a lot of my mom friends are deeply worried about how phones are shaping their kids' lives, and not in a good way. Recently there was a New York Magazine piece about how much college kids are using AI, and the big picture was a discussion about how AI isn’t just changing how we work, it’s changing how we think.

The article follows college students who openly admit they’ve outsourced their assignments to ChatGPT. Not just once or twice in a panic, but regularly. I’ve seen people on tik tok talk about how they are using AI as their therapist, Mark Zuckerberg recently said he’s going to make us all AI friends. It is infiltrating deep into our lives and changing human relationships with it.

For me, it’s not about academic dishonesty, because I do hope that schools will use this as a challenge to come up with new ways to teach and test kids. But I’m worried about the societal brain rot. We’re letting ourselves not just outsource writing, but how to think, how to struggle through the hard parts of communication and interpersonal relationships.

Adding another layer to this conversation, President Trump’s recent trip to the Middle East underscores how AI is not just a personal or educational tool but a geopolitical asset. The U.S. and major U.S. companies are engaging in significant AI collaborations with the UAE, and there have been billions of dollars’ of agreements with Saudi Arabia and Qatar involving semiconductor chip sales, mining for rare minerals, and data centers (some of which predated Trump).

This development raises questions about the global race for AI dominance and the values that underpin these technologies. As AI becomes a cornerstone of international relations, it’s crucial to consider not just how we use these tools, but who controls them and to what end.

These are big questions and my brain is quite exhausted from the week. I love talking about these big ideas and am trying to figure out how to balance that with the pace and importance of news these days. I hope, if nothing else, you learned a new word (panopticon), and get one inspirational idea from today’s links

→ And if you’re looking to connect with people in your area, don’t forget to use the comments. You never know, you might find new friends here.

• I’ve had this in my 3 small things for the last couple weeks, but PLEASE keep calling your reps about cuts to medicaid & SNAP. Just call all your members and say that you don’t want any cuts to medicaid or SNAP. You can look up your district here to see how many people would lose medicaid if work requirements are passed.

• Give yourself 10 minutes to write down 3-5 goals for the summer that will bring you joy, fulfillment or calm. Maybe it’s visiting a beach nearby that you love. Maybe it’s getting your favorite ice cream. Maybe it’s spending a whole day phone-free with your bestie. Adults can get summer bucket lists too.

• Here’s a little hack for when you’re stuck in anxiety or overthinking, pause and ask yourself: “If my best friend were in this exact situation, what would I tell her to do?” Then do that. This leverages psychological distancing, we’re often wiser, kinder, and more decisive when we’re advising someone else. It helps cut through emotional clutter and access your own clarity and values

The Independent

Donald Trump Jr. is Running a Grift (Independent)

Business Insider recently released a huge investigation into Don Jr. 's business dealings, including his venture capital firm which is investing in companies that will be enriched by the Trump administration (formed, at a Maga/Tech networking group founded by JD Vance) and the private DC club where he’ll be selling access.

The Hidden Mental Health Crisis Among Undocumented Immigrants (Harper's Bazaar)

An exploration of the severe psychological toll that uncertain legal status, deportation fears, and limited healthcare access inflicts on America's undocumented population.

Why is Trump so Fixated on Dolls (The Guardian)

Asked about his tariffs’ impact, the President has repeatedly pointed to dolls – because they’re seen as feminine, childlike and frivolous.

The Horrors of Parenting in a Digital Age (Men Yell at Me)

lyz

Lenz and Amanda Hess talk through the unique challenges of raising children amid constant technological surveillance and digital threats. (

Amanda Litman

told me she loved this book!)

4 Takeaways From the Citizenship Case (New York Times)
Yesterday the Supreme Court heard arguments related to President Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship, perhaps his most brazen attack on the Constitution yet.

27 Little Things That Make Life Better. A crowd-sourced list of tiny joys, comforts, and rituals from the Platonic Love Letter community—because sometimes it's the little stuff that saves us. Read it here.

50 Ways to Be Ridiculously Generous. Simple acts of generosity that cost little or nothing but can transform someone's day. Read it here.

The Toilet Paper Trick That Adds Instant Storage to Any Bathroom. This clever hack turns an everyday household item into a stylish and practical storage solution. (I’ve been seeing this on TikTok and couldn’t figure out how they did it) Read it here.

The Quiet Ego: Finding Happiness Through Humility. How letting go of self-importance can lead to greater satisfaction and connection. Read it here.

10 "Coastal Grandma" Hobbies to Embrace This Summer. Channel your inner Diane Keaton with these simple, joyful activities that celebrate slow living and seaside aesthetics. I would, of course, add needlepoint. Read it here.

Rescue Otters Become Surrogate Moms to Orphaned Baby Otters. Two otters who were once rescued themselves are now helping raise abandoned otter pups at a wildlife sanctuary, forming an adorable found family. Read more here.

'Joy Luck Club' Cast Reunites After 30 Years. The groundbreaking film's stars gather to reflect on their cultural impact and the changes in Asian representation in Hollywood over three decades. Read more here.

Spring Pea Pasta: The Bright Pasta You Need Right Now. This bright, seasonal twist on cheesy pasta is the perfect vehicle for the snap peas you find at market, a delicious burrata vehicle. Read more here.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Each week, I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only). This week, I'm excited to offer a copy of The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success by Susan Dominus.

This fascinating exploration examines what creates those rare families with multiple high-achieving siblings. Award-winning New York Times journalist Susan Dominus weaves compelling stories with scientific research as she profiles six remarkable families—from the Chens who fled China's one-child policy and sent four children to elite colleges, to the Groffs who produced an award-winning novelist, an Olympic athlete, and a notable entrepreneur.

→ Comment SIBLINGS below for a chance to win.