Those Memes of an American Woman in Pakistan? Not Funny
Every once in a while, a jaw-dropping story takes TikTok by storm and morphs into a meme. This week, it was the tale of 33-year-old New Yorker Onijah Andrew Robinson, who flew to Karachi, Pakistan to be with Nidal Ahmed Memon, a 19-year-old man she reportedly met online.
It's become a viral sensation that offers an unfortunate and familiar lesson. When properly crafted, memes are one of the high forms of modern humor. When steeped in cruelty, they're a reminder that they also need guardrails. There's often a fine line between hopping on a harmless trend and exploitation. And in an era when images and soundbites can become untethered from whatever inspired them, creators and companies should prioritize meme literacy, and social media outlets should help provide more context.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Golden Retriever's Ears Are So Expressive, His Owner Named Them
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Fingers, a Labrador-golden retriever mix with a flair for facial expressions, has become the latest four-legged internet star—not for tricks or treats, but for the unexpected contortions of his ears. In a now-viral TikTok video shared on April 28 by his owner, under the handle @fingersthegoldador, the 5-year-old dog showcased his surprising talent: an ever-changing array of ear positions that has captivated millions. Viewed more than 1.4 million times and liked by over 230,000 TikTok users, the lighthearted video features Fingers flashing what his owner Julia affectionately calls his "cup ear," "turn signal ear," and "mouse ears"—a catalog of comical contortions that has left viewers in hysterics. "He is a very goofy and lovable dog," Julia told Newsweek. "One day I noticed that every time I came home from work, he would greet me with a new ear shape. "I started to record them because I thought it was so cute how he could bend his ears in so many different ways!" The post has sparked a wave of laughter and recognition among pet owners, many of whom jumped into the comments to share the names they have given their own dogs' unique ear movements. "My favorite comments were from other dog owners explaining the names they have for their own dog's ear shape," Julia said. "There were some clever and funny names mentioned in the comments, and it made me laugh to think other dog owners have also named the specific shapes their dog's ears make." But behind the hilarity lies a subtle form of communication. Dr. Nita Vasudevan, veterinarian contributor for Embrace Pet Insurance, told Newsweek that ear movements can offer real insight into how dogs feel. Fingers the Labrador golden retriever moves his ears in different ways in a TikTok video. Fingers the Labrador golden retriever moves his ears in different ways in a TikTok video. @fingersthegoldador "A dog's ears and its movements can reveal a lot about how the dog is feeling," Vasudevan said. "Ears that are pinned back often indicate the dog is feeling some anxiety, fear, or submission—especially when the ears are paired with other body language cues like a lowered head or a tucked tail." By contrast, ears that are forward or perked typically signal interest or alertness. But Vasudevan cautioned against overgeneralizing: "Because ear shapes vary widely between breeds, it's important to interpret ear position in the context of the dog's overall body language and temperament and their natural ear posture." For Julia, Fingers' viral fame is less about the anatomy of expression and more about the joys of pet ownership. Whether folded, flopped, or flying high, his ears have become a daily surprise that has now brought smiles far beyond their front door. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Addison Rae's Pop Queen Dreams Are Massive, and Just Out of Reach
Listening to Addison Rae's self-titled debut feels like wearing your gaudiest dress and stepping into the Chateau Marmont on a hot summer day. There are glistening turquoise pools, loads of cigarettes, diamond jewelry, and everything is doused in the golden Los Angeles sun. At the center of the glamour stands Rae in stilettos. She's a self-assured, cheeky girl-next-door shedding her past and stepping into this new chapter with her unique ability to set a distinct vibe. For Rae, it's incredibly important to build this world. After all, unlike most musicians making a debut record, the former TikTok sensation is out to do more than just make a name for herself. Rae's public persona already exists: She's the fifth most-followed person on TikTok, known for her vivacious online personality. But the platform she built back in 2019 as a Louisiana teen who moved to L.A. and became all about content creators, online dance trends, beauty brand deals, and torrid love triangles doesn't apply to her self-titled debut. Instead, Addison is a reintroduction, a portrait of the young woman Rae has grown into, one who is free to take her artistry wherever she pleases. More from Rolling Stone Sabrina Carpenter, Lil Wayne, Addison Rae, and All the Songs You Need to Know This Week Lady Gaga Praises Queer Music Pioneer Carl Bean in Docu Clip: 'Anthems Unify People' Addison Rae's Long-Awaited Debut Album 'Addison' Is Here Rae first took a swing at music back in 2021 with her debut single, 'Obsessed.' After the ultra-packaged dance-pop track was panned by critics, the aspiring singer went back to the drawing board to rethink her craft. Her 2023 EP AR, which included the Charli XCX-assisted '2 Die 4,' showed more potential with alternative-pop leanings and a hazy center. Since then, Rae has been vocal about taking her music seriously and sharpening her instincts. For her debut LP, Rae notably kept the production team small with two female producers, Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd. On Addison, Rae's eclectic intentions are loud and clear: to create a distinctive, dreamy soundscape that brings her album moodboards to life — and, naturally, make fun music for people to dance to. The album opener, 'New York,' throws listeners into Rae's world with a club-ready nod to her most beloved collaborator and influence, Charli XCX. 'I'm a dance whore,' Rae proclaims before a pulsating Jersey club beat takes over the song. 'Money Is Everything' is just as fun with lively dance-pop energy punctuated by a slower trip-hop twist. The bubbly track celebrates Rae's inspirations: 'DJ play Madonna/Wanna roll one with Lana/Get high with Gaga,' she sings. It's quite a dream blunt rotation to conjure. Lush synths drive Addison as Rae continues to lean into the sparkling sonics of her singles 'Diet Pepsi' and 'Aquamarine.' Those early previews are the strongest examples of the sound Rae has shaped here. The Lana Del Rey-inspired 'Summer Forever' takes the same low-key melody as those singles and makes it moodier, with twinkling production that evokes a glinting afternoon car drive down Sunset Boulevard. Both the R&B-inflected 'Times Like These' and 'In the Rain' push the fantastical feel of the album incrementally further with bass lines that desperately want to boom even louder. The most exciting sonic turn occurs on album highlight 'Fame Is a Gun,' with a supercharged synth that moves in tantalizing directions and evoke Britney Spears' In the Zone and Lady Gaga's The Fame. She's not the second coming of Spears, Gaga, Del Rey, or Madonna. Instead, Rae translates pieces of these icons' music and filters them through the lens of the modern internet age. Lyrically, Rae writes about 'the glamorous life' you'd expect from an L.A.-based 24-year-old. 'Diamonds are my best friend like I'm Norma Jean,' she sings on 'Money Is Everything' before cackling, 'I'm the richest girl in the world.' Honestly, why shouldn't Rae brag about how much money she has? She became a self-made millionaire by the time she was 20. There's a whole lot of California ease as Rae conjures sex and cigarettes, and sometimes both. She's more believable telling us she's 'young, dumb, and cute' with 'nothing to lose' during 'In the Rain' than she is trying to trying to convince us, 'I'm not an easy fuck/But when it comes to shoes I'll be a slut' in 'High Fashion.' The album's most interesting moments are the ones that try to reveal a sliver of the star's more complex innermost thoughts, including some insecurities. On 'Times Like These,' the former TikToker turned pop sensation admits that attention can be overwhelming. 'My life moves faster than me,' she sings before asking: 'Do I eat what I want tonight?/Or will it make me feel less tight.' Rae's ever-present smile really falls away when she wonders if her parents' messy divorce will stop her from finding lasting love; it's a subject she explores in multiple songs, including 'Summer Forever,' 'Headphones On' and 'Times Like These.' There's only a line or two in each track, but these insightful moments are a welcome reprieve from the sparkly hedonism. 'Keeping a smile on my face for protection/Turning my tears into gold,' she sings on 'In the Rain.' Such flashes of vulnerability offer a welcome backdrop to her unshakable optimism. Addison isn't the work of a fully formed pop technician on the level of her heroes. For a dance-pop record, some of the album gets bogged down by a lack of dynamism, with too much of the music feeling circular and repetitive rather than propulsive, almost like you're floating along rather than being driven by a captivating rhythm. At worst, the LP's dream-like quality starts becoming literally sleepy. The 'Lost and Found' and 'Life's No Fun Through Clear Waters' interludes are vibey moments meant to pull us in with thoughtful-seeming lines like 'I lost myself and found myself again,' but these passages feel like gauzy, emotional window dressing rather than being genuinely revealing. It doesn't help that the singer's vocal abilities can sometimes get muddied in production that buries her feathery falsetto. There's a sense at times that she can't quite take the command that she wants. It's clear, even in this new version of herself, Rae hasn't quite nailed the right balance of pop-star decadence and pop-star introspection. Maybe she'll get it right on her next project. For now, as she sings on 'Times Like These,' the foundation is set for her next phase: 'Head out the window/Let's see how far I'll go.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
40 Gems From The Depths Of Amazon That Will Make You Go 'Oooh' When You Discover Them
A limited edition (!!) Eos Marshmallow "Super Balm" lip treatment from the brand's "secret menu" so good that reviewers say it's better than Carmex for healing and better than Summer Fridays for quality. Lip care that also tastes like you're perpetually eating a s'more for less than $6?? My friends, life is good. An Airplane Pocket tray cover that slides seamlessly over an airplane tray to create an instant, deeply convenient hub — this comes with a number of pockets so you can keep track of all your devices, snacks, and other odds and ends without rooting around for them in the gross back pocket or your carry-on the whole flight. Bonus: This bb is an excellent way to prevent touching a germ-y tray, and it's fully machine washable. A two-in-one nausea relief inhaler designed to work FAST on spontaneous nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, and general queasiness (having a human body is hard). You can either use it as a scent inhaler or rub it directly on the tip of your nose for relief. A cap-sleeve tank top giving "muscle tee, but make it dainty." This is a perfect go-to for days when it's sweltering hot and you want to keep it as breezy, chic, and minimalist as possible. Psst — it even has an underarm panel so your bra doesn't show! A set of espresso martini instant cocktail tea bags — all the sophistication of tea, the zing! of coffee, and the 😜 of a cheeky cocktail. All you have to do is add three ounces of cold water, 1.5 ounces of hard liquor, and the tea sachet into a glass, and you'll have a delicious (far more AFFORDABLE!!) cocktail in one minutes. Medicube Turmeric Overnight Wrapping Peel Off Mask, which has already made itself a TikTok sensation — unsurprising, since the K-Beauty brand Medicube knocks it out of the park again and again. This mask goes on before bed and uses hydrolyzed collagen, vitamin C, and turmeric to help even out skin tone and improve elasticity. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit for anyone on their "happy accidents" beat — this itty bitty set comes with everything you need to create three tiny masterpieces of your very own. A set of Tide Sink Packs you can use to do laundry right in the sink, whether you're traveling or need to get some items clean in a quick pinch. Now the WHOLE WORLD is your laundry machine!! A pair of cheerful, super lightweight boxer-style shorts so comfy and adorable that you are about to put your denim shorts on notice for the rest of the year — especially since these are a MUCH cheaper alternative to the $98 Reformation version. A light up solar frog figurine for your garden or porch so when you come home from that "just one drink" dinner past midnight, this croaky lil' fella can lovingly judge you for it. An SPF 50 Airy Sunstick Smoothing Bar, a K-beauty staple with a curved balm stick style that makes it super easy to apply, and a non-sticky, white cast-free formula that plays ABSURDLY well with makeup. If you're looking for a lightweight "soft matte" sunscreen to protect your skin, this is your new BFF. A cult-favorite Creamy Coconut fragrance rollerball from the TikTok-famous small business brand Kuumba Made, known for its luxury scents at ridiculously affordable prices. Reviewers especially love how ~beachy~ and long-lasting this sweet but elevated fragrance feels and how nicely it plays with other scents! A reversible vintage-inspired floral bathing suit with adjustable, oh-so-sweet bow straps that are almost too cute to exist. Like, spare some cuteness for the rest of the beach, will you?? A super effective and strangely whimsical foaming drain cleaner for anyone who wants to make cleaning a whole aesthetic. This gentle but powerful foam pulls up gunk and cleans out drains in sinks, bathtubs, and floor drains, helping prevent plumbing issues and making everything smell ~squeaky clean~. A genius 2-in-1 knife and cutting board perfect for all your quick chopping needs that don't require a whole production of cutting boards. This scissor-like contraption lets you slice against a flat surface for easier use, then slide your veggies into a bowl or on top of a dish in a flash. A reviewer-beloved sparkling crystal suncatcher that's an investment in lifting your spirits every day — now you can come home to soft rainbow lights cast all over your entryway, turning your home into a magical realm as effervescent and lovely as you. A Grim Steeper silicone tea infuser to remind you that life is, in fact, too short to skip on your delicious morning cuppa. A collagen coating hair rinse that kicks ordinary conditioners to the curb — this mix of collagen, vitamin E, ceramide, and natural seed oils so thoroughly moisturizes, smooths, and strengthens hair that reviewers compare it to expensive salon brands. If you are dealing with frizziness or dryness, this might be your new holy grail! Lip Smacker Rolly Lip Gloss so cooling, so silky smooth, and so darn nostalgic that you'll want to try one in every fruity flavor — just don't come crying to me when you accidentally fall into a time machine and wake up in a Backstreet Boys video. A set of hair-tie bracelets designed to look like *actual* jewelry, so you won't be kicking yourself when you realize you left a hair tie on your wrist for every photo. A square-neck compressive body suit that's basically 10 outfits in one — you can rock it solo, wear it as a bodysuit tucked into jeans, or pair it with a hoodie or a jacket. Go, little base layer, gooooo! A set of book-shaped sponges, aka what happens when Cinderella and Belle collaborate on your birthday gift. A set of golden tennis bracelets giving ~quiet luxury~ vibes at "I want to pay rent this month" prices. Reviewers especially love these mix-and-match sets because they look like expensive versions from iconic brands! Deeptalk, a compact three-year prompted gratitude journal loaded with quick, gentle check-in prompts that won't overwhelm you like a lot of other journals. It's undated, so you can start it any day you want, and then as the years pass you can reflect on how your mindsets are changing and evolving over time. A double-sided cutting board *and* defrosting board with enough capabilities to make your lil' brain spin. One side of the board is made with food-grade stainless steel for cutting meat while the other is made with wheat straw for cutting fruits and veggies, helping save cutting board space and preventing cross-contamination. But reviewers also note that the stainless-steel side is *excellent* for defrosting meat faster, and the built-in garlic grinder on the wheat straw side is also a handy little time saver! A cheeky pair of double-buckle slides that look like what happens when a Birkenstock from the 2000s falls in love with a jelly sandal from the '90s in a forbidden time-crossed romance. Cozy Europe, a reviewer-beloved adult coloring book for calm and de-stressing that will take you all over the globe while you color from the cozy perch on your couch. Psst — this is part of the iconic Comfy & Cozy Coloring Book series if you're looking for other options after you color through this one! A set of ridiculously realistic-looking faux fern plants for some instant serotonin in your backyard or living space. Plant parenthood is nice, but faux plant parenthood is every bit as chic and a whoooole lot less of a time commitment 💅 . A cheery little "Buttercup" butter maker so you can make delicious butter in less than five (!!) minutes and enter a cottagecore era unlike any you've ever known. Time to impress your friends by gifting them with small batch butters in garlic, honey, truffle, and all kiiiinds of flavors you haven't even fathomed yet. A pair of luxe retro-style oval sunglasses giving Miu Miu vibes without the $489 price tag. The devil's in the chic details on this one, including the little gold embellishments on the sides and the nostalgic shape of the lenses, which are softer than the typical skinny oval lens. An Italian Bergamot Body Bar from Cremo, aka the brand that went TikTok viral for its $10 Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired body wash (I am, in fact, a VERY large fan). This luxury body soap is so richly-layered, deeply hydrating, and gives such a satisfying lather that OOPS, you won't want use another version ever again. Byoma Phyto-Mucin Glow Serum to give you a "glass skin"–worthy, plant-based alternative to snail mucin serum with all of the same plumping, hydrating benefits that strengthen your skin barrier and amp up your ~glow~. If you have ultra-sensitive skin, this base layer might just be your new hydration holy grail! A supportive back pain relief pillow for side, stomach, *and* back sleepers with a firm, slight triangle bolster to give your joints and bones some immediate relief. Reviewers with sciatica and hip pain especially swear by this MVP (Most Valuable Pillow). A rechargeable heated ice cream scoop to give your poor spoons and your biceps a BREAK!! You deserve the sweet bliss of ice cream without feeling like you just did a whole CrossFit workout to get it. A crinkle cutter tool for veggies, fruit, potatoes, and cheese that not only makes meal prep a breeze, but makes certain foods more enticing for the picky eaters in the fam. Everyone knows a squiggly-shaped thing tastes better than a regular shape ... it's just science! A chic under-the-cabinet banana hanger so easy to install that you'll wonder why you didn't free up all your counter space *YEARS* ago. Also digging the whole "bananas as decor" vibe here. A bone conduction Bluetooth pillow speaker that I'm not entirely unconvinced isn't witchcraft?? You can place it under your pillow so only *you* hear the sound projecting from it, so you can keep streaming content, listening to audiobooks, or even playing white noise and sleep sounds without disturbing anyone else in the room. A vintage-style teddy mug so un-bear-ably cute that after you sip your coffee in it, you'll spend the whole day vibing like Paddington with a big smile on your face. A sophisticated leakproof laptop lunch tote with some real "I've got my life together" energy that will make you feel like a deli sandwich super spy when you unzip the ~secret~ insulated compartment at work. This chic little number not only has plenty of room for your grub, but for your laptop, accessories, and all the other bits and bobs you need for a long day at work! Nick's Keto Candy Bars for anyone with dietary restrictions to enjoy a scrumptious treat, and for anyone who wants to pack in extra fiber to get one heck of a delicious hack — each bar contains 28%–34% of the recommended daily fiber needs!
