What is "original content" online?

It's a harder question than you might think.

Nov 13 • 

Kristin Merrilees

6

Spirit Halloween scene report

I visited the store to check the supply of pop culture, meme-y, and other internet-related costumes. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I left disappointed.

Nov 4 • 

Kristin Merrilees

4

1

October 2025

"Bringing authenticity back to social media": Locket is offering Gen Alpha an alternative to Instagram and TikTok

While the app has added features over time, the core mission of connecting users with "the people you really care about" has remained consistent…

Oct 30 • 

Kristin Merrilees

8

We're now in the AI pop-up era

Eight billion people in this world and you think your soulmate is in line to buy a Claude thinking cap.

Oct 18 • 

Kristin Merrilees

11

September 2025

📱✨ Reflections on six months of PHONE TIME ✨📱

Plus, The Browser Company is being acquired, and New Computer is shutting down.

Sep 6 • 

Kristin Merrilees

9

2

Computers and community at HTML Day 2025

The event, held across more than 40 cities worldwide, drew attendance from HTML beginners and experts alike.

Sep 3 • 

Kristin Merrilees

10

2

1

August 2025

People are changing their profile pictures to Clippy

R.I.P. AOL's dial-up internet service.

Aug 12 • 

Kristin Merrilees

11

'My weekend as a 28-year-old in Chicago' has a Wikipedia article...for now?

Plus: HTML Day, internet culture newsletter names, and brand-meme page partnerships.

Aug 6 • 

Kristin Merrilees

17

2

5

I Enjoy Music is a callback to old-school music blogging

A conversation with Molly Mary O'Brien about the state of music publications, the joys of personal writing, and how to get people to actually read…

Aug 1 • 

Kristin Merrilees

4

July 2025

How it feels to be an internet culture reporter

A story in memes.

Jul 30 • 

Kristin Merrilees

12

1

My favorite emoji proposals

Plus, shoppable collage app Zeen is shutting down.

Jul 25 • 

Kristin Merrilees

7

Soot wants to help you 'map your world' using AI

It's one answer to an internet increasingly defined by visuals, memes, aesthetics, mood boards, and "vibes."

Jul 16 • 

Kristin Merrilees

11