The Flack highlights changes and trends in the news, examples of communications practices, and content we at BYRNE PR thought you might find useful.
We hope you enjoy, and we always welcome your feedback.
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At State Dept., A Typeface Falls Victim In The War Against Woke – Secretary of State Marco Rubio reversed the Biden administration’s 2023 directive to use Calibri, reinstating Times New Roman as the State Department’s official typeface. Rubio called the switch to Calibri “wasteful” and a “sop to diversity,” blaming “radical” DEI programs. He argued Times New Roman restores “decorum and professionalism,” citing its traditionality and formality, and claimed Calibri achieved nothing but “degradation of the department’s official correspondence.” The Biden administration’s switch to Calibri aimed to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities and those using assistive technologies, a move applauded by accessibility advocates. The New York Times (not The Onion) has more.
From ‘AI Slop’ To ‘Rage Bait’: 2025’s Words Of The Year Represent Digital Disillusionment – 2025’s words of the year reflect growing unease with digital life. Macquarie Dictionary chose “AI slop” for low-quality, AI-generated content, often viral and unrequested. Cambridge Dictionary selected “parasocial,” describing asymmetric connections with famous people or AI, now extending to chatbots. Oxford Dictionary’s “rage bait” signifies online content designed to provoke anger for engagement, exploiting emotions. See a trend? These terms collectively point to “digital nihilism,” an acknowledgment of uncertainty and lack of trust in online interactions. Fast Company takes a closer look at the words of the year and what they represent.
Did Spotify Just Call Me Old? – Spotify’s “listening age” feature in Wrapped (their annual summary of your activity) assigns users an age based on their music taste, often creating surprising results. For example, 26-year-old Nina Chae-Gordon was deemed 89, while 41-year-old Jenni Byrne-Mosley was assigned 30, influenced by her son’s music. This feature, like previous Wrapped gimmicks, aims to generate social media engagement and discussion. Apparently, it’s working. The New York Times digs in.
How Much Do You Really Want To Know About Your Habits? – Spotify isn’t the only company tracking your habits. The question is: How much do you want to know? It may have started with Spotify, but now companies like Partiful, and Strava are quantifying user habits, turning personal data into shareable, cutesy graphics. This “wrapped” trend, popularized by Spotify Wrapped, now extends to books, food orders, and gaming. The results can be interesting, but, for some, it may be a mirror they don’t want to look into.
‘Living’ Christmas Trees? Some People Are Choosing Evergreens They Can Replant After The Holidays. – Christmas tree decisions used to be simple: real or fake? But now there’s a third option. This piece from NPR may complicate your holiday decorations and choices.
The 4-Word Trick To Saying A Great Goodbye – In the coming weeks, you will be attending holiday parties. But how do you make a graceful goodbye when the party is still going on? This guide will help. You’re welcome.
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Public Service Message:
How To Pluralize Your Family’s Name On Holiday Cards
Happy New Year!:
Wikipedia’s Most-Read Articles Of 2025
The Architects Of AI Are Time’s Person Of The Year
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flack
: one who provides publicity
flack
: to act as a press agent or promoter for something
The word flack was first used as a noun meaning “publicity agent” during the late 1930s. According to one rumor, the word was coined in tribute to a well-known movie publicist of the time, Gene Flack.