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05.17.26
BUSINESS
The Chinese App That Puts Instagram to Shame
BY LOUISE MATSAKIS | 5-MINUTE READ
In the ancient city of Dali, I saw firsthand how RedNote has evolved from a lifestyle platform into the tool that powers the country’s tourism industry.
GEAR
Instagram’s New Instants App Is a Snapchat Clone for Thirst Traps
BY REECE ROGERS | 3-MINUTE READ
Instagram’s Instants app lets you send disappearing photos—and it’s probably where your horny friends will post spicy pics.
SCIENCE
Why a Federal Gas Tax Holiday Is a Terrible Idea
BY MOLLY TAFT | 3-MINUTE READ
Reducing the fee will have only a marginal impact on prices while depriving the government of revenue to maintain roads.
CULTURE
This Reggae Band Is in a Nightmare Battle Against AI Slop Remixes
BY KATE KNIBBS | 4-MINUTE READ
When Stick Figure’s seven-year-old song shot up the charts, the band was thrilled. But its viral moment was spurred by unauthorized AI remixes.
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The FCC Received Hundreds of Complaints About Bad Bunny’s ‘Vulgar’ Super Bowl Performance
BY ANGELA WATERCUTTER AND MADDY VARNER | 2-MINUTE READ
The complaints, obtained by WIRED, described Bad Bunny’s performance as being overly sexual and protested that the show was in Spanish.
Asteroid 2026 JH2 Is About to Fly Right Past Earth—Relatively Speaking
BY ANNA LISA BONFRANCESCHI | 1-MINUTE READ
On May 18, an asteroid about the size of Chicago’s Cloud Gate will fly four times closer to Earth than the moon.
Build a Radio Wave Detector With Balls of Aluminum Foil!
BY RHETT ALLAIN | 4-MINUTE READ
Here’s how you can hack together a radio transmitter and receiver out of stuff you have at home—and explore the weirdness of wireless.
Overworked AI Agents Turn Marxist, Researchers Find
BY WILL KNIGHT | 2-MINUTE READ
In a recent experiment, mistreated AI agents started grumbling about inequality and calling for collective bargaining rights.
I Found the Best Air Purifier for Every Room in Your House
BY MOLLY HIGGINS | 2-MINUTE READ
Protect your home against dust, pets, allergies, and more with the best air purifiers, tested firsthand.
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