Daily Skimm Weekend: Perhaps we should form a calming circle

What's Happening

…in your push notifications: Paul Pelosi. The husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is recovering from surgery after being "violently assaulted" in an "intentional" attack. It comes as threats and violence against political figures and their families have surged.

…in your travel plans: Fall vacations > summer vacations. Plus, 25 places to add to your bucket list.

...in your grocery store: Inflation trackers. Because, apparently, you're not the only one keeping an eye on rising prices.

…in your parenting group: Turns out, babies don't need fancy things. And it can be surprisingly difficult to make friends in motherhood.

…in your social feeds: A wave of "tripledemic" concerns. Here's how to keep yourself (and your kids) safe.

Top Story

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Verified: On Thursday, Elon Musk sealed his on-again, off-again deal to buy Twitter. Now, the keys to one of the world's most influential social media platforms are in his hands. But not everyone's eager to see the "Chief Twit" spread his wings.

The Story

In just over 15 years, Twitter has amassed more than 230 million users — and became a top platform for prominent political leaders, business executives, journalists, and activists. It helped spark social movements (see: #BlackLivesMatter and #MeToo), provided real-time info on major news events, and changed the way the world communicates. For better…and for worse. Twitter has repeatedly come under fire for its handling of hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation (think: election lies, conspiracy theories). Which have continued to take hold despite the company's efforts (think: labeling misleading tweets, banning accounts). Now, those measures could be seeing major changes.

Because of Musk?

You said it. The self-proclaimed "free speech absolutist" has already said that the site must be "warm and welcoming to all." And that the company will create a "content moderation council" before making any changes. TBD what exactly that means. But many worry controversial figures (like former President Trump and Alex Jones) could ultimately return to the nest. And that Musk will peel back the platform's moderation efforts — which critics have already said are not enough. That could lead to a rise in hate speech, extremism, and misinformation. And at a not-so-great time (read: the midterms are just over a week away). But those aren't the only flags being raised.

What do you mean?

Musk is the latest example of the uber-rich buying, creating, or financing social media platforms. (See: Peter Thiel and Rumble. Trump and Truth Social. Perhaps even Kanye West and Parler.) In doing so, they're all becoming political gatekeepers — at a time when social media has become even more influential for how the public gathers info about elections and politicians. (Worth noting: At least 69 million people have reportedly joined alternative social media sites, which 6% of Americans consider a go-to source for news. But Twitter is at least three times the size of that.) So it's got many concerned about the profound effects this 'boys club' could have on politics and society.

theSkimm

While it's still unclear what Twitter will look like under Elon Musk, even the smallest change could have major implications. And prove that billionaires really do run the world.

Bookmark'd

Here's a look at the reads we've saved, texted, and emailed to our friends…

The Mysterious Patient in Room 23…she came from one of Europe's wealthiest families, then became a woman without a trace. Now, her fate may hang in the hands of one person.

What My Mom Taught Me About Sex…hint: it's not what you think.

Stevie Case vs. the World…two decades after the gaming industry's first female superstar said 'game over,' she's finally opening up about the misogyny, harassment, and sexism she faced IRL.

Downtime

Downtime doesn't have to mean doing nothing. Here's one idea for making the most of your weekend.

Halloween's just around the corner. But if you haven't gotten into the scary spirit just yet, have no fear. We've rounded up a few, well, fab-boo-lous ways to help you embrace the most spooktacular time of the year:

Have a scary movie night. Break out the stash of extra candy, turn off all the lights, and put on something that'll scare you silly. That could be a classic (think: "Rosemary's Baby," "Psycho," or "The Shining"). It could be one of the recent reboots (think: "Scream" or "Halloween Ends"). Or, if you're someone who doesn't like horror movies, it could be something more suspenseful (think: "Get Out" or "Us"). Either way, it's best to have a security blanket handy.
Set the stage for a frighteningly good time. All you need are a few festive decorations — both indoors and outdoors. Add drama to your dining table with black candles. Hang a creepy wreath on your door. And pick up a few pumpkins, which you can paint for a more modern look or carve for something more traditional. (Pro tip: Make sure to save the seeds for a well-deserved treat.)
Pull together some last-minute costumes. You could brave the Spirit Halloween crowds and chaos — and score some of our fave costumes for kiddos and furry friends. Or you could easily DIY a prize-winning costume for yourself (see: the smart cookie and raining men ideas), your little ones (see: the hot air balloon or cardboard train costumes), and your pet (see: the cupcake).
Dive into a few spooky stories. If you think there's nothing better than a thrilling page-turner, check out these reads: "Jackal," in which a young girl goes missing in her Rust Belt town. "The House Across the Lake," about an actress whose life starts to spiral following the death of her husband. And "When No One Is Watching," which follows a woman looking into the gentrification of her Brooklyn neighborhood.
Eat, drink, and be scary. Make a 'scare-cuterie' board. While you're at it, whip up eyeball pasta, 'ghoul'-ash, and monster wraps. And don't forget to stock up on some Halloween candy before the big night. Including treats for everyone.

Skimm Picks

Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. How to show your home some extra TLC this holiday szn. Because winter is coming. And so are your guests. Thankfully, this platform makes it easy to connect with local pros for any type of project. Think: cleaning, repairing, decorating, and more. See for yourself.*

2. New cookbooks that'll get you ready for hibernation season. From books on bread baking to dessert making (yes, please), cuddle up with one of these new releases that'll quickly find a permanent place in your kitchen. Inner Ina Garten, activated.

3. A shoe sale at Thousand Fell. Get $30 off any pair with code BOO and free shipping on orders over $80. Go go go.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

On Our Radar

15% off sitewide at Brooklinen. Aka your sign to snag some new sheets and a duvet cover. Or a super-plush robe. Thank us later.

Skimm More

More Skimm, more knowledge. Here's what else we've covered…

Why high-functioning depression often gets overlooked
What you should know about melatonin — particularly if you've been debating giving it to your kids
It's almost time to fall back. Here's how to prepare for daylight saving time
The disabled villain trope in film, Skimm'd
Skimm This: The latest on the Ye fallout, plus three issues that are top of mind for voters

Save the Date

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

The next Powerball drawing — which, by the way, has the fifth-largest jackpot in US lottery history. Fingers crossed.

The Astros-Phillies showdown continues in Game 2 of the 2022 World Series. Play ball.

The start of National Native American Heritage Month. Learn how you can honor the heritage, history, and culture of Indigenous peoples, here.

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.

theSkimm Loyalty Program

Midterms are coming up. Get ready to head to the polls with theSkimm while earning points towards prizes. Not a member yet? Sign up here and get rewarded for preparing to cast your vote.

Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Melissa Goldberg, and Clem Robineau

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