Welcome to Friday Fives, Vol.40
Get free french fries TODAY
EMERGENCY PSA: McDonald’s is giving away free french fries every Friday for the rest of the 2018! To sink your teeth into some delicious, crispy, calorie-laden potatoes, all you have to do is make a purchase of at least $1 and — because it’s 2018 — you obviously have to download an app. And because it’s McDonald’s, one dollar will get you pretty far — like a cheeseburger (and free fries), a McChicken (and free fries), or even a breakfast burrito (and free fries). Get ready to kiss that summer bikini body goodbye 👋. — MM
Tech’s favorite color is killing us
Thanks to futuristic pop culture icons like Blade Runner or The Matrix, blue has become ingrained in our cultural psyche as the color of the future. We’re constantly bathed in blue light from the displays on our smartphones and laptops, the dashboards on our cars, and modern LED light bulbs. Recent studies have found that exposure to blue light can wreak havoc on our ability to fall asleep by inhibiting the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep cycles. Even worse? Studies have now linked it to an increased risk of obesity and cancer. According to science, the best blue alternative for our health may actually be — orange? Although it doesn’t seem like a relaxing color, orange light is already used in most military technology and even in some luxury cars like BMW — clearly the perfect reason to treat myself to an early birthday gift. — KJ
The internet is ruining romance (again)
Everyone loves a rom-com, especially one they can follow live on Twitter. This is exactly the case for #PlaneBae, the latest viral sensation to hit the internet. The plot sounds like something straight out of a summer blockbuster — two strangers meet on a plane, hit it off, and (hopefully) fall in love. Sadly, the budding romance was deprived of its happily-ever-after moment when the entire interaction was documented and broadcast live across the web by the couple’s nosy seatmates. As if dating wasn’t already hard enough without the rest of the world watching over your shoulder and chowing down on a bag of popcorn. Just add live-tweeting to the list of ways that the internet has already ruined love (*cough* Tinder). — DF
The Louvre is now offering a Beyoncé and Jay-Z tour
Last month Beyonce and Jay-Z released their joint album, Everything is Love along with a predictably fabulous music video for their chart-topping single, “APESHIT.” Filmed at The Louvre in Paris, the video features 17 world-famous works of art housed in museum. This week, The Louvre is introducing a brand new 90-minute guided tour that will showcase these selected pieces including The Winged Victory of Samothrace, The Raft of Medusa, and, of course, the Mona Lisa. For those of us who are balling on a budget (a.k.a. me), we can take our own virtual tour of the museum with The Simple Art Historian’s Guide to the Carters’ video. — CB
Netflix officially rules the Emmys
This year’s Emmy nominations have just been released, and the verdict is clear — streaming services reign supreme. Netflix nabbed the top spot with 112 nominations, officially ousting HBO from its 18-year run as the reigning Emmy champ. This marks the first time in history that an online streaming service has topped the list of nominees, driven by smash hits like “The Crown” and “Stranger Things.” With such formidable lineups and seemingly bottomless funding, it’s becoming more and more difficult for traditional TV networks to compete. Our suggestion? Bring back some of that 90’s MTV magic ✨ — DF
Originally published at eepurl.com.
