In this year's Reporters Without Borders international press freedom index, the U.S. slumped to 47th place, a fall of 27 places, largely due to arrests of journalists covering protests. The full report is available in PDF format. [RSF]
US slumps in press freedom rankings
Cryptid world map
CashNet posted a weirdly wonderful map of popular local monsters from all around the globe. I have no idea why this was the sort of content that someone felt the need to make for a website about financial planning, but it happened. You can check out a larger version of the world cryptid map here,… READ THE REST
Google Maps' Nazi problem
Google Maps' reviewing system has provided a platform for Nazi sympathizers and antisemitic harassment for years. It's a quiet example of the trillion-dollar tech giant's disinterest in moderation—and a loud warning about how easy it is for the far right to appropriate online services. Most items in Google Maps are treated like businesses which can… READ THE REST
This cool new wine club walks you through terroir, taste, and history with a sommelier's hand-painted maps
My friend James Sligh is a brilliant sommelier (and writer) with an uncanny ability to talk about wine and figure out exactly what you want to drink. I don't even care for wine (I like malted barley more than grapes), and I've always been impressed at his ability to find precisely the right drink for… READ THE REST
These noise-cancelling wireless headphones have a world of extra features — and they're over 25% off
Headphone quality often comes down to that old axiom of consumerism — you get what you pay for. When you try to cheap out and get a $20 pair of over-ear headphones while premium brands sell for $150 to $200…well, there's a better than decent chance that your cut-rate tech won't have great sound, won't… READ THE REST
From the backyard to your desk, this infectious hook and ring game will keep you entertained
From Europe to the islands of the Caribbean, it's gone by many names over the years. Some say when English Crusaders brought it back to their home country from Jerusalem in the 12th century, it was called Ring the Bull. When the game was introduced to Jamaica, possibly by author Ernest Hemingway in the 1940's,… READ THE REST
This portable cooler + beer tap turns cans of your favorite brew into frothy, freshly-poured bliss
Finding the perfect balance is essential in practically everything. For beer connoisseurs, that pursuit is no less critical. For true fans, one beer is almost certainly not enough. A full keg is almost definitely overkill. Thankfully, the existential question about the pinpoint perfect middle ground in that age-old debate has now been answered. The Tapology… READ THE REST
