Politics, Policies, & PACs

The Midterm Elections Brought to You by AI?

What’s going on: The saying “follow the money” might not be anything new in politics. In this year’s midterms, Elon Musk spent $366 million, and Michael Bloomberg spent $80 million. But if you look at all the dollars and cents, you’ll find that artificial intelligence companies have also spent big. Why? To try and shape how the government might regulate their industry. A New York Times analysis found that political groups aligned with these companies spent $55.7 million, with $52.6 million on safe seats in the primaries. AI-backed super PACs have spent more on Democrats than Republicans — with the candidates they supported almost always winning and going on to the general election. In some cases, AI-aligned super PACs funded ads that advocated for opposing sides of the same issue. With other seats, the PACs were used to hurt anti-AI candidates.  

The fine print: As one progressive candidate who lost after their competitor received over $1 million from an Anthropic-backed PAC put it: “No one is spending that amount of money unless they’re getting something in return.” So far, the AI groups haven’t spent nearly as much in the general election as they have in the primaries, but that doesn’t mean the cash won’t start flowing. Political operatives are closely monitoring spending because amid anti-AI sentiment, these groups may move money in other, more obscure ways, as AIPAC often does. A Wired investigation found that one of the biggest pro-AI super PACs is using shell companies to obfuscate how much they’re really spending. But it's not just the companies getting involved. AI safety advocates — including some OpenAI researchers — who favor regulation have spent nearly $50 million this election cycle. These aren't the AI wars we envisioned. 

Related: Democrats Post Thirst Traps and Pump Iron for the Manliest Man Elections (The Washington Post gift link)

Snap, Crackle, Gone

Things Aren’t G-r-r-reat for Cereal

What’s going on: The 1980s would never believe we’d raise a generation that doesn’t tilt an ear toward a cereal bowl to hear the “snap, crackle, pop” of Rice Krispies. But the days of colorful cereals fueling our mornings might be behind us. The cereal industry is hurting — sales are down 13% since 2021 — as more shoppers search for health-forward options. Cereals are trying to adapt by adding things like protein and fiber (and putting those words in giant letters on the front of the box). But consumers’ concerns over ultra-processed items, food additives, and preservatives, partly driven by the MAHA movement, are keeping them out of the once-coveted cereal aisle. Wild how far we’ve come since corn flakes were invented as a healthy breakfast option. Ahh, the good ol' days.

Cereal is missing something, but it’s not protein: One of Skimm writer Stephanie’s core childhood memories is her mom leaving out bowls, spoons, and a giant box of cereal for her to help herself on Saturday mornings. That kind of nostalgia (with a tad less lazy parenting and a lot less sugar) is what cereal companies are looking to tap into. Some are adding toys back into their boxes because nothing unlocks warm feelings like a child’s grubby hand touching every last Fruit Loop. Other brands are marketing cereal as a food good to eat anytime — even dessert. Because let’s face it: Only a real leprechaun could get protein into a rainbow marshmallow. The comeback couldn’t come at a better time, as more people seek the simplicity of an analog life. We’d settle for a word search on the back of the box instead of a QR code. 

Related: Ina Garten Says This Ingredient Is Key for Perfect Scrambled Eggs (The Wall Street Journal gift link)

A Truth Universally Acknowledged

It Just Makes Sense (and Sensibility) 

What's going on: Some fandoms come and go, but Jane Austen’s novels continue to prove their staying power, more than 200 years after her death. A new Sense and Sensibility film is out in theaters now. Earning an estimated $7.2 million during opening weekend, it’s the biggest domestic debut for an Austen adaptation — proving the eternal appeal of women running through the English countryside in empire waist dresses and handsome men trying to repress their yearning. It’s the second big-screen adaptation of that 1811 novel, following the Oscar-winning 1995 version, not to mention all the miniseries and TV movies (who could forget Hallmark’s Sense, Sensibility, and Snowmen?). “Austenmania” is omnipresent: Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice miniseries will be released in December, and Peacock’s upcoming Clueless sequel (the original was loosely based on Emma) is set to begin filming next year. And there’s so much more. 

She wrote the book: The screenwriter of the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation compared Austen to Shakespeare, telling Variety, “Great art is just endlessly adaptable.” Others cite the author’s complex characters and “timeless themes” of love, money, reputation, family, and friendship as reasons why people are still swooning over Mr. Darcy and his hand flex from the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice. Austen’s works have grown into a whole industry, with books inspired by her novels, Austen-themed vacations, and even costume conventions (finally, a place to show off your Regency-era dance moves). Even if you don’t consider yourself a “Janeite,” her influence is inescapable if you consume any kind of pop culture. Her novels’ plot structure inspired the romance genre (you don’t get Sex and the City’s Carrie and Big without Elizabeth and Darcy), and her literary techniques influenced the modern novel. As one Austen expert put it, “her appeal is absolutely universal.”

Related: Fall’s Hottest Trend? Dressing Like It’s 1813 (Glamour)

The Best Gifts for Your A-Team

Holiday shopping for your most important people can spike cortisol levels — what won’t your mom hate, and what says “I love you” to a long-term partner who you’ve already bought all the big things for? If your brain is going in 10 different directions just by reading this, check out:

• Gifts your parents don’t even know they need

• Needlepoint pillows that will be the talk of the day

• An anti-anxiety card deck all eldest daughters will laugh at and then immediately open

*PS: Skip the gifting stress this year with QVC’s one-stop holiday shop. Happy holidays indeed. 

Quick Hits

🥹 Julia Stiles paid tribute to co-star Heath Ledger and reunited the cast of 10 Things I Hate About You on Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night. We hate it when you make us laugh, even worse when you make us cry.

👑 In an interview with GQ, Prince Harry shared that he'd like to reconcile with his brother and father. It’s never too late to royal kiss and make up.

📚 If it feels like everyone is reading the same book these days, blame BookTok’s reading monoculture. So what did you think about Yesteryear?

🍼 Call Her Daddy’s Alex Cooper welcomed her first child, sharing the news with an adorable Instagram post. Call Her Mommy.

💛 Kate Middleton's yellow gown and tiara moment was everything you think it is.

📺 Jon Stewart just extended his contract at The Daily Show, where he’ll stay on through 2028. Can we bring back Stephen Colbert, too?

🧊 The Y2K revival continues with the return of icy makeup, including silver eyeliner and glitter. Ladies, frost yourselves.

🏈 Jay-Z has chosen next year’s Super Bowl Halftme Show artist. It’s… drumroll, please… Hova himself, Jay-Z.