video Man narrating Samurai documentary lifts a line from the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV in David Lynch's Dune Jess Sabine

Science Devils Hole pupfish: rarest fish on Earth lives in one Nevada cavern Popkin

science fiction Mathieu Bablet's "Silent Jenny" explores what's left of us when the bees are gone Gareth Branwyn

Space Newly-noticed exoplanet may be the Earthiest yet Rob Beschizza

Games Mysterious obelisk in California desert sparks intense speculation Grant St. Clair

Science Bright results in a dark year for science Rob Beschizza

Happy Mutants "Gretapocalypse" is a Greta Thunberg-themed art car made from the "shredded remnants of the very tools of the American dream" Jennifer Sandlin

video games Why gaming's most tedious title became an unexpected mental health tool  Séamus Bellamy

Science Huge Martian chunk sells for $4.3 million — plus fees Gail Sherman

california California is home to five micronations Jason Weisberger

Rock n Roll New book explores the secret occult history of…Elvis Presley? Thom Dunn

biology We may have already killed life on Mars Thom Dunn

unexplained phenomena Laser-cut by giants? How did this massive rock in the Saudi Arabian desert get split so cleanly? Mark Frauenfelder

california Venusian time machine: the strange tale of California's "Giant Rock" Mark Frauenfelder

science fiction "Big Germs" — short fiction by Rudy Rucker Boing Boing

podcasts Musicland Stories is a delightful music-themed fantasy adventure podcast for all ages Thom Dunn

Review Dune: Part Two is fine Natalie Dressed

Science Mysterious glass found in desert may be from space David Pescovitz

Science Maybe put off going to another continent for vacation—it may be coming to you Ruben Bolling

travel Here's a list of wonderful curiosities to visit in the desert Popkin