What’s in a like? That which we call a heart by any other name would be a retweet. (I am so sorry, mostly to my college Shakespeare professor, but really to everyone reading this.) On Instagram, in any event, the things we like perchance tell us more about ourselves than we might readily admit. For instance, I recently liked a video posted by Tao Elder Tianhe—no idea—in which he explains the “Human Feng Shui Formatio”: women who love lying down are not lazy but, rather, are “recharging, attracting luck, and keeping the whole family’s energy balanced.” He does not speak about whether watching a steady stream of “Southern Charm” while lying down has any effect on household vibes, but that’s O.K.: I’ve already moved on to liking multiple posts about decorating your Christmas tree with shrimp.
New Yorker writers reflect on the year’s highs and lows.
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What I’ve gleaned about you all—New Yorker readers—by reviewing the cartoons that you liked most on Instagram this year is that you’re really going through something. You reacted strongly to satire about health care, ICE raids, the Epstein files, and death rays. Which, fair. You also enjoyed cartoons that take place in therapists’ offices, which gives me hope that you’re working through some of this politically induced malaise (hopefully for only a small co-pay). And, sometimes, perhaps while reclining and recharging, you gave in to the simple pleasure of jokes about hot dogs, real dogs, varieties of tea, and Easter candy. For the sake of your own sanity, as well as the nation’s energy, which is certainly out of whack, please: stay horizontal, and keep scrolling.
