*The state and the street finding their own uses for things. It's easy to romanticize these schemes until you find yourself forced to live with them.
WIRED Roundup: Fandom in Politics, Zuckerberg’s Illegal School, and Nepal’s Discord Revolution
In this episode of Uncanny Valley, we run through the top stories of the week and examine how some of the victories in the US November elections show the power of online fandom.
The 4 Things You Need for a Tech Bubble
On this episode of Uncanny Valley, guest Brian Merchant walks us through a historical framework he used to analyze whether AI fits the classic signs of an economic bubble—and what that means for all of us.
Valar Atomics Says It’s the First Nuclear Startup to Achieve Criticality
A Trump administration pilot program aims for three nuclear startups to reach a key milestone by July 4, 2026. Valar Atomics says it’s the first to do so—but it had some help.
Our Favorite Compact Soundbar Is $100 Off
This slim bar can slide under any TV, and it has a surprisingly rich feature set for the price.
The Best Deals From REI’s 2025 Holiday Sale
The company that wants you to #optoutside for Black Friday is having its sale early. Gear up for next year with these great deals on packs, sleeping bags, merino wool, and more.
A Collision With Space Debris Leaves 3 Chinese Astronauts Stranded in Orbit
The only craft docked at Tiangong space station has been damaged and “does not meet the release conditions for a safe manned return.”
Trashie Is an Easier Way to Recycle Old Sheets, Bedding, Clothes, and Tech
Recycling isn’t just for glass and paper anymore. This mail-order clothes recycling program lets you earn points for old textiles and e-waste.
Young People Are Tripping on Benadryl—and It’s Always a Bad Time
Deliriants like Benadryl can bring on terrifying hallucinations in high doses. Some Gen Z-ers are taking at least a dozen pills at a time—and challenging others to do the same.
OpenAI's Fidji Simo Plans to Make ChatGPT Way More Useful—and Have You Pay For It
As OpenAI expands in every direction, the new CEO of Applications is on a mission to make ChatGPT indispensable and lucrative.
The 12 Tech Gifts They’d Actually Want for the Holidays This Year
Don’t buy something for a loved one that you wouldn’t want for yourself. These are the hot tech products of 2025 that everyone will yearn for this holiday season.
Inside a Wild Bitcoin Heist: Five-Star Hotels, Cash-Stuffed Envelopes, and Vanishing Funds
Sophisticated crypto scams are on the rise. But few of them go to the lengths one bitcoin mining executive experienced earlier this year.
How Genes Have Harnessed Physics to Grow Living Things
The same pulling force that causes “tears” in a glass of wine also shapes embryos. It’s another example of how genes exploit mechanical forces for growth and development.