this is Shades of the Day — bringing you different shades of opinion in news & culture so that you can see the big picture quickly. We believe that seeing multiple POVs is the best way to stay informed.

It’s Friday, January 17 — here’s what you’ll find in today’s edition:

• Remembering David Lynch

• An antisocial era for the US

• Meta’s lawyer drama

• 6 quick hits of news from the last 24 hours

Remembering David Lynch

WSBradio: American filmmaker David Lynch died at 78 -- In August, he revealed that he was suffering from emphysema.

Hollywood Reporter says he left behind an amazing legacy of film -- his work danced between surrealism and the everyday, creating a unique genre of his own. Check out “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” if you haven't already.

Moieweb remembers Lynch’s “Lost Highway” as a testament to his enigmatic creativity, despite its initial cold reception -- he was ahead of his time.

DevDiscourse reports his loss leaves a void, yet his visionary influence in film and TV remains cherished. Rest in peace, David!

The US’s antisocial era

The Atlantic says America is in an “Anti-Social Century”: Thanks to modern habits, we're all connecting with other people much less than we used to.

This Substacker also noticed the phenom: Takeout culture cuts into traditional social dining experiences. Tech advancements are also causing a decline in face-to-face interactions with others.

The Ringer says people just aren't talking with strangers anymore -- even when sharing space with them in places like public transit.

This Substacker blames tech: Digital interactions are edging out face-to-face time. Our smartphone addictions are making us more lonely.

On the other hand, the BBC says tech could help humanity address its loneliness problem: AI companions and loneliness trackers could help pull humanity out of its antisocial era.

Meta’s lawyer drama

High-profile tech lawyer Mark Lemley just dropped Meta. Bloomberg Law said Lemley withdrew from representing Meta in a copyright case due to Mark Zuckerberg's changes to content moderation on the platform.

Lemley explained his move in a BlueSky post. While he condemned Meta's “descent into toxic masculinity and Neo-Nazi madness”, he also wished the company luck in its generative AI copyright case. Read his thread for yourself here.

Above the Law says the decision to drop Meta was more than fair: Sure, everyone is entitled to legal representation -- but Lemley is also free to exclusively represent clients that reflect his values.

This Redditor went further: Good for Lemley! This could serve as a warning for tech companies -- you can't keep top lawyers with a bad culture.

On the other hand, @DRIVVEN met the news with an eye roll: Who cares if Lemley dropped the case! Some other lawyer will gladly take his place. Besides, it's a bad idea to publicly trash on ex-clients.

1) The Supreme Court is set to decide on the legality of a TikTok ban, with justices skeptical of TikTok's First Amendment arguments.

2) A polar vortex brings life-threatening cold to over 300 million Americans, reaching the Gulf Coast.

3) Biden's commuted sentences signal a shift from outdated crack cocaine laws that led to unfairly long sentences.

4) Trump plans sweeping immigration actions with mass deportations and enhanced border security.

5) Los Angeles wildfires show progress as the Palisades Fire hasn't grown in 72 hours with 27% containment.

6) South Dakota Tribe lifts ban on Governor Kristi Noem ahead of her Homeland Security confirmation hearing.