The AI boom will increase U.S. carbon emissions — but it doesn't have to

"The U.S. is poised to see a 60–80% increase in electricity demand through 2050, with data centers alone making up more than half of the increase by the end of this decade, the analysis finds. If policies stay the same as they currently are — with attacks on renewable energy being embedded into regulatory regimes and few significant national policies restricting carbon emissions from power plants — we could see between a 19% and 29% increase in CO2 emissions from U.S. power plants tied just to the energy needs of data centers over the next 10 years. There are answers, though…"

WIRED »

The easiest way to make date night interesting again

If date night feels a little too predictable, you're not alone. Comfort is great, but desire usually needs something new to chew on. That doesn't mean going extreme: It can be as simple as breaking routine, doing something slightly out of character, or introducing something made for couples who want to play again. Small risks create big sparks, and brands like We-Vibe are built for exactly that kind of low-pressure, curiosity-driven fun. [Ad]

Make things fun again »

Can exploding trees really happen in winter?

"The term exploding trees has taken over social media … The big question is, though, are exploding trees real or just another untrue internet sensation? The answer may shock you. As cold air settles in, moisture and sap inside a tree can freeze and expand faster than the wood can adjust. The result can be a dramatic split in the trunk or bark, a phenomenon commonly referred to as frost cracking. Though trees don't truly 'explode' in the way the word suggests, the sound and suddenness of these cracks can be startling."

Morning AgClips »

For some reason, someone who generates AI slop books has unmasked herself

"'If I can generate a book in a day, and you need six months to write a book, who's going to win the race?' That strange quote is from an extraordinary New York Times article about 'Coral Hart,' the pseudonym of a Cape Town, South Africa-based writer granted anonymity by the Times to talk about her use of AI to mass produce 'more than 200 romance novels,' which she then sells on Amazon without disclosing that they're the products of AI models like Claude and Grok, and in so doing she has pulled in six-figures, she says, off of about 50,000 sales."

Gizmodo »

StackSocial - ChatGPT wants rent. This AI just wants $40 once. | [Partner]

ChatGPT wants rent. This AI just wants $25 once.

DeepSeek, ChatGPT, and the rest can all step aside. There's a new AI in town, and it doesn't just run on OpenAI — it's powered by that, Midjourney, Anthropic, Meta, Google AI, and more. Insanely intuitive chatbots. Comprehensive writing tools. Advanced image processing and editing. Smart PDF interactions. And even more perks you won't find with ChatGPT. And unlike other AI giants — which will drain you $20/month for premium features — this one only costs $25 once. [Ad]

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Why middle-aged Americans can't find happiness

"Middle-aged adults are the glue and the gears of modern society. They keep families, communities, and workplaces running smoothly, and they form a critical bridge between the oldest and the youngest generations. But evidence increasingly shows they're not doing well. They're lonelier and more depressed than previous generations, and their cognitive and physical health are suffering — at least this is the picture you get from studies done in the United States."

Nautilus »