The Year Villainy Won
Villains were everywhere and more relatable than ever. Across pop culture, social media, and IRL, the phenomenon went full-on main character. Source
Villains were everywhere and more relatable than ever. Across pop culture, social media, and IRL, the phenomenon went full-on main character. Source
The plant-based-meat company’s CEO, Ethan Brown, credits a series of attack ads with prompting a potentially sector-saving change of plan. Source
Deepfakes were nothing like the political force in 2024 that many feared—but that doesn’t mean that generative AI didn’t profoundly affect elections all over the world. Source
From Chinese cyberspies breaching US telecoms to ruthless ransomware gangs disrupting health care for millions of people, 2024 saw some of the worst hacks, breaches, and data leaks ever. Source
Despite the arrival of new competitors and growing political tensions between the US and China, the ecommerce juggernaut Temu proved in 2024 it’s here to stay. Source
Countries must collaborate if we’re going to create a less fearful future for artificial intelligence. Source
These beard tools deliver a quality trim for all types of facial hair. Source
There’s nothing more done to death than the vampire. Director Robert Eggers says he tried to avoid the obvious by returning to “the older folklore.” Source
AI voice cloning and deepfakes are supercharging scams. One method to protect your loved ones and yourself is to create secret code words to verify someone’s identity in real time.…
Your physical and mental well-being are crucial—but the picture isn’t complete if you aren’t flexing your connection muscles, too. Here’s how to build—and keep—your social health. Source
The Trump transition team is looking for “big changes” at NASA—including some cuts. Source
I spent nearly a year with Woosh's smart air filter, which can give you a better idea of when to replace your home's HVAC filter. Source
Natcha Wongchanglaw’s Couchsurfing photos explore how travel turns transient encounters into meaningful—and vulnerable—moments. Source
Thanks to a bunch of game-makers who were still teens when Toontown Online disappeared, the beloved online world lives on as Toontown Rewritten. Source
Suddenly, every possible dating and hookup app for every possible scenario exists—AI girlfriends, kink-positive polyamory, gay cruising. Why does it feel like none of them are the answer? Source
The gap between the ultra-rich minority and the vast majority has never been greater. But a wave of activist millionaires is asking for higher taxes. Source
These discounted tablets, headphones, and kitchen goods can still make it under the tree—if you hurry. Source
One user told WIRED that Google Maps directed them to “drive right into a wall that’s been up since 2003.” Source
Diarra from Detroit, The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh—these are the shows you might not have watched in 2024, but definitely still should. Source
The American public elected Donald Trump to run the federal government. His erratic patron seems to think the job is also his. Source