back to school Back to school time: 8oz vacuum insulated soup containers only $12 Jason Weisberger

china Would you spend $650,000 to ride a transforming mecha? Séamus Bellamy

politics Iran war has cost $25bn so far, admits Pentagon. The real cost is closer to $50bn. Rob Beschizza

writing Science fiction author Dan Simmons, RIP Séamus Bellamy

books Dolly Parton is the ideal nihilist Ellsworth Toohey

politics Raw milk parties make me want to barf Jennifer Sandlin

News New York's school phone ban accidentally created a teen social revival Ellsworth Toohey

AI Porn As Disney invests billions OpenAI responds with "adult mode" Jason Weisberger

politics Oklahoma school boss Ryan Walters: a bible in every class, boobs on his office TV Rob Beschizza

health Japan's 4.5% obesity rate vs America's 40%: What's their secret? Ellsworth Toohey

bullies-in-chief Trump furious that Gov. Newsom isn't "thanking" him for L.A. chaos Carla Sinclair

cosplay Tourists can now spend a day as Japanese students at mock high school Mark Frauenfelder

Japan Steal $7, lose $84,000 Ellsworth Toohey

mistakes Wine-swigging swimming teacher banned Rob Beschizza

Food How to make school cafeteria pizza from the 1980s Allan Rose Hill

Boing Boing Gadgets A Chromebook tough enough to handle life's chaos—and it's only $60 Boing Boing's Shop

science fiction Starman at 40: John Carpenter's forgotten sci-fi masterpiece, interview with special effects artist John Rosengrant Lee Keeler

laughing stocks Donald Trump gets mocked after racist remarks with viral hashtag: "#WhenITurnedBlack" Carla Sinclair

Delightful Creatures Watch a tranquilized bear in a tree flop into a tarp Rob Beschizza

consumer reports Consumer Reports warns against Lunchables due to high sodium, lead, cadmium, and toxins Mark Frauenfelder