Science Research keeps proving we should talk to strangers more Ellsworth Toohey

actors Experience simulated friendship at Tokyo's Tomodachi ga Yatteru Cafe Mark Frauenfelder

History This archive of old personal ads is strangely moving Popkin

Technology The appeal of AI girlfriends isn't the AI — it's that she can't say no Mark Frauenfelder

books A phenomenal time travel story: On the Calculation of Volume (Book I) Jason Weisberger

cute These horses with emotional support stuffies will melt your heart Popkin

Games "Death Stranding" gets animated series with all-new characters Grant St. Clair

Games Feeling lonely in Hyrule? Fan-made mod adds co-op to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Grant St. Clair

AI The rise of AI worship: the cult that believes ChatGPT is divine Ellsworth Toohey

mental health AI therapists: the wiretaps that care Séamus Bellamy

Funny Garfield Minus Garfield is the perfect parody comic for today Allan Rose Hill

COVID-19 Remembering musical legend John Prine, five years after he died from COVID-19 Jennifer Sandlin

language If your brain short circuits when you see something cute, that's gigil Gail Sherman

Science These Disney princesses are in mortal danger Gail Sherman

music Art-pop band "The Dream Eaters" creates dark and funny earworms that are perfect for these difficult times Jennifer Sandlin

movies From Million Dollar Baby to Requiem for a Dream: the most depressing mainstream films Ellsworth Toohey

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Optimize your hell by adding RFK, Jr. to the mix via his online "Real Debate" Jennifer Sandlin

public health Homeopathic Berlin Wall Pills made from its pulverized concrete "treat" loneliness, isolation, and oppression Jennifer Sandlin

Nature Survivalist answers survival questions from Twitter Popkin

mental health Jonathan Haidt's book presents stark data on the negative effects of smartphones on youth Yoy Luadha