10 Hilariously Horrifying Signs That You’re a Hacker’s Dream Date
1. You’re a Z-List Social Media Celeb
They’re your fans on all platforms.
2. Your Email Address is Begging to be Put to Rest
Yes, this is the email I’ve had since I was 9…
3. You Told Your Favorite Website Something— Newsflash, They Love to Gossip
XOXO, Gossip Geek.
4. You Think ‘Covve’ Is a Coffee Brand, But The Only Thing it Leaked Was Your Info
I’ll use my Keurig from now on.
5. That Guy Who Created “Have I Been Pwned?” Was Pwned
We’re all doomed.
6. They Don’t Discriminate With Your Data — They Shop Everywhere
No, not the good kind of shopping…
7. Your 23andMe Had a 3% Chance of Being Italian and a 100% Chance of Leaking Your Information.
A full on monet.
8. The “Mother of All Breaches” Dumped Over 26 Billion Records—Yes Your Netflix Password is Probably in There
No Netflix and Chill for you.
9. You Reuse Passwords More Than Your Ex
They’re not coming back babe.
10. Cybersecurity is Like Scream— You Never Know Who is Out to Get You or When They’ll Pounce
The killers aren’t as cute either…
AVE’S FYI’S
The Digital Age of Storytelling: A Review of Three Narratives
By Avery Wilkinson
Digital stories are pieces of media that tell a narrative through interactive, audio, web, or video elements. Digital storytelling is extremely significant because it enhances emotional impact, allows for full creative freedom with endless outlets to choose from, and can reach more audiences. One can capitalize on different affordances with digital media by utilizing various software, integrating visuals and audio, and by adding feedback sections online. Personally, I think the beauty of digital storytelling is that the only requirement is that it is through a digital platform. Otherwise, a narrative can be produced from anything. Typically, however, it usually contains a clear narrative and a central theme/message.
Carbonara Comments
This story uses various voices as a sort of combined narration within the framework of a real comment section for a famous recipe. This works as a story because it blends multiple perspectives on one common theme (narrative) to allow for an overall review (interpretation) of the recipe (main point of the story). It leverages digital technologies by utilizing the honesty of reviews online and the variety of reviews one will receive to combine a certain pick of comments to add a humorous element to the story. I found this review style exciting because it proves multiple perspectives can be combined into a single story. I found it disappointing to think about the fact that these comments were hand-selected; thus, it feels almost like a reality TV show in a way… something real and genuine is manipulated for a certain outcome or narrative.
Seven Short Stories About Drones
This very much feels like a story to me, even though it is purposefully choppy. I think each vignette having a distinct setting and focus with an emotional arc definitely resembles a story. I don’t know where digital storytelling is headed given the sheer amount of technological innovation every single day. However, one thing I am sure of is that it will continue to grow and be depended upon by the world in nearly every facet (news, emotional needs, entertainment, etc.). I see this as leveraging the convenience of technology. By that, I mean that something this short would never be published today on a hard copy by itself. Thus, I think it makes use of digital media being known for quick stories and messages like this one. I love that he creates a sharp emotional turn by starting with a well-known, homey piece of literature and immediately talking about war—something violent and terrifying. I dislike that there isn’t a little more to the story, but that is the point of the abrupt switch… maybe even a conclusion at the end would’ve been helpful as I had to read it a few times to understand.
Amazon Review: A Cautionary Tale
This is definitely a story to me. It has a clear first-person narrative, a building period, setting, and a climax (the wife turns into a wolf). Additionally, it has a moral (buy your wife a gift card for Valentine’s). It is leveraging digital technologies by posting this as an Amazon review of an item he bought from Amazon (an inherently technological element). He also takes advantage of the fact that people tend to read online reviews for a product they are interested in… knowing this will be his audience. This story is extremely exciting and innovative to me. The man is a great writer and really captured my attention. There is nothing I disliked about it!
I don’t know where digital storytelling is headed in the future, but that is kind of the point. It is an ever changing media source that will likely be completely different in another decade or two from what it is now! I do, however, think it will continue to rise in popularity exponentially.
PODCAST JUNKIE
JUNE 24, 2025: PODCAST JUNKIE WITH AVERY WILKINSON & SARAH KOENIG (SERIAL’S HOST)
Avery: Thank you for having me on the show, Sarah!
Sarah: No problem, Avery! I am so excited to talk about your thoughts on Serial.
Avery: Me too! I loved Serial and your review of the case… What inspired you to take on this case despite your many setbacks that led to years of work that ultimately never led to a definitive answer?
Sarah: Well, Avery, I was drawn to the case because it was something no one else was looking at. At first, this made me worry and think, “Why is no one else looking into this case?” I stuck with the case, and later it became apparent that numerous experts in many different fields felt something wasn’t right about this particular story… although no one could ultimately say what.
Avery: I admire your work greatly. Continuing to search for answers after hitting dead end after dead end is truly commendable. Do you think your resilience with the case and your decision to make Serial, which gained immense popularity, ultimately led to the reopening of Adnan’s case after 23 years?
Sarah: I definitely like to think that Serial gave the case the amount of attention needed in order to reopen it. Although my podcast didn’t necessarily crack the case, per se, I think it shed light on major holes and inconsistencies throughout the first trial. For example, the star witness, Jay, claimed he was an accessory to the ultimate conspirator, Adnan, in Hae Min Lee’s murder. However, there were many inconsistencies with Jay’s story in accordance with other evidence that was also overlooked in the original trial.
Avery: Were you happy that Serial got the retrial that ultimately led to his release, or do you feel regret given the fact that you cite many times that you don’t know whether you can believe Adnan was innocent in the murder?
Sarah: I think all Serial and my interpretation of the case did was ultimately shed light on the flaws in the justice system during the original trial. The fact that Adnan was released after his second trial, to me, proves that his first was likely a mistrial. Additionally, the popularity of my segment and the attention it got from many professionals in the field (who all agreed something was missing in the original trial of Adnan) make me feel confident in the new decision of the jury and Adnan’s fate as a result.
Avery: I know you have said lots of things about a mistrial during Adnan’s original hearing 23 years ago, which ultimately ended with Adnan Syed convicted of first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, with Jay being named as an accessory in the murder. What exactly, besides weak evidence from the one witness available—Jay—do you mean when you say this?
Sarah: During the first trial, Adnan’s attorney, who was a renowned attorney at the time, fell short on the job in many ways. Many samples that should’ve been tested and witnesses (that could clear Adnan’s name) that should’ve been contacted were left out. This is likely due to the fact that she was, at the time, having severe health problems. She likely was unable to do her job to the full extent, given the sheer amount of information that me and my team were able to uncover—even though I’m not even a lawyer or a detective!
Avery: Okay, Sarah, just one more question. What is your best guess, based on all the information in your season and everything from recent years, as to who committed this murder?
Sarah: I think the beauty of Serial is that it mimics the reality of life: no matter how hard you poke and prod, suspect and question, there is no answer in some things.
Avery: I think what many listeners lose sight of in this captivating story is that the beauty in Serial was never about finding the answer to this mystery—it was highlighting that there wasn’t one… innocent until proven guilty.
Sarah: I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for coming on the show, Avery. It was lovely to meet you and answer your hard-hitting questions.
Avery: Thank you so much for having me, Sarah!