Can We Cool It With the Pop Culture Petitions, Please?

Directed by “City of God” filmmaker Fernando Meirelles, the event celebrated history, diversity—and getting down. The post Rio Throws An Upbeat, Gold-Medal Olympic Dance Party appeared first on WIRED.

Mathematicians Are Building a Unified Theory of Geometric Randomness

Researchers have uncovered deep connections among different types of random objects, illuminating hidden geometric structures. The post Mathematicians Are Building a Unified Theory of Geometric Randomness appeared first on WIRED.

Sponsors Are Playing Moneyball to Snag Unsung Olympians

It turns out you don’t have to be the most popular Olympian to help sponsors make a splash with their target customers. The post Sponsors Are Playing Moneyball to Snag Unsung Olympians appeared first on WIRED.

Recognize: NBC Invented the Modern Olympics Telecast

The nightly telecast of the Olympic Games feels entirely natural. But it is a rigorously artificial product, born of a brilliant plan created more than 20 years ago. The post Recognize: NBC Invented the Modern Olympics Telecast appeared first on WIRED.

Wait, Did The Wright Brothers Just Get Dissed at the Olympics?

The Olympics opening ceremony seemed to claim that Brazil was instrumental in the invention of flight. Twitter: “#actually…” The post Wait, Did The Wright Brothers Just Get Dissed at the Olympics? appeared first on WIRED.

The Ultimate Gear for Watching the Olympics

Whether you’re at home on the couch, in a bar, or at a coffee shop, here’s all the gear you need for an optimal Olympics viewing experience. The post The Ultimate Gear for Watching the Olympics appeared first on WIRED.

Milton Glaser Rated Every Olympics Logo Ever. This Was His Favorite

Glaser grants a strikingly simple design from the 1964 Tokyo summer Olympics his highest score. The post Milton Glaser Rated Every Olympics Logo Ever. This Was His Favoriteappeared first on WIRED.

Space Photos of the Week: This Globular Cluster’s Over the Hill

Space photos of the week, July 31—August 6, 2016. The post Space Photos of the Week: This Globular Cluster’s Over the Hill appeared first on WIRED.

Too Bad You’ll Never Drive Nissan’s Razor-Like Electric Concept

Nissan’s BladeGlider concept is for those who like their cars lean, green, and byzantine. The post Too Bad You’ll Never Drive Nissan’s Razor-Like Electric Concept appeared first onWIRED.

OK, We’ve Got Some Opinions About Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

The book (of the play) is out, and we’ve already devoured it. Now can we talk about Harry’s kid? The post OK, We’ve Got Some Opinions About Harry Potter and the Cursed Childappeared first on WIRED.

While You Were Offline: Pour One Out for Suicide Squad and Clint Eastwood’s Legacy

This week the Internet had many worries, including flossing controversies, fictional presidential candidates, and the possible downfall of Harry Potter. The post While You Were Offline: Pour One Out for Suicide Squad and Clint Eastwood’s Legacy appeared first on WIRED.

Torrentz Has Died, But It Won’t Take Torrenting With It

Everyone’s favorite torrent search engine has closed shop. The next won’t be far behind. The post Torrentz Has Died, But It Won’t Take Torrenting With It appeared first on WIRED.

Next Time You Wish You Never Had to Sleep, Read Beggars in Spain

In this week’s ‘Geek’s Guide to the Galaxy’ podcast, sci-fi author Nancy Kress talks about the sleep envy that inspired her novella ‘Beggars in Spain’. The post Next Time You Wish You Never Had to Sleep, Read Beggars in Spain appeared first on WIRED.

9 Criminally Overlooked Sports to Watch at the Rio Olympics

The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro will feature 306 distinct medal events, but if you’re not careful you’ll miss the best ones. The post 9 Criminally Overlooked Sports to Watch at the Rio Olympics appeared first on WIRED.

Swap Those Plastic Buttons for $385 Cufflinks Made From a Bugatti Veyron

TMB Art Metal makes the snazzy accessories from the damaged front wheel of a Veyron. The post Swap Those Plastic Buttons for $385 Cufflinks Made From a Bugatti Veyronappeared first on WIRED.

This Pen Is Totally Over-Engineered. We Dig It Anyway.

It’s called The Pen. The post This Pen Is Totally Over-Engineered. We Dig It Anyway. appeared first on WIRED.

Song Exploder: The BoJack Horseman Theme Actually Began on MySpace

The third season of Netflix’s black comedy debuted this summer. Here’s the story behind its trippy theme song. The post Song Exploder: The BoJack Horseman Theme Actually Began on MySpace appeared first on WIRED.

Cranky Clint Eastwood Tops This Week’s Essential Stories

We’re proud to bring NextDraft—the most righteous, most essential newsletter on the web—to WIRED.com. The post Cranky Clint Eastwood Tops This Week’s Essential Storiesappeared first on WIRED.

Cargo Shorts Are Awful. Amazon’s Cargo Plane Is Cool

At your door or in the sky, the retail giant wants to be sure you know who’s bringing that Vitamix blender to you. The post Cargo Shorts Are Awful. Amazon’s Cargo Plane Is Coolappeared first on WIRED.

You Can Now Grow Human-Animal Hybrids, But You Can’t Breed ‘Em

The federal government just proposed new rules that would allow researchers to grow human-animal hybrids for research, so long as they can’t think, feel, or breed. The post You Can Now Grow Human-Animal Hybrids, But You Can’t Breed ‘Em appeared first on WIRED.

Fake Boarding Pass App Gets Hacker Into Fancy Airline Lounges

Przemek Jaroszewski has spoofed QR codes to sneak into premium airline lounges and buy duty-free goods dozens of times at airports across Europe. The post Fake Boarding Pass App Gets Hacker Into Fancy Airline Lounges appeared first on WIRED.

Good News: HTC’s New VR App Store Isn’t Just for Gamers

The HTC Vive can do a lot more than play games, and the Viveport app store will help showcase its versatility. The post Good News: HTC’s New VR App Store Isn’t Just for Gamersappeared first on WIRED.

5 Comics You Must Read Before Seeing Suicide Squad

Need a primer on the summer’s baddest gang of antiheroes? We’ve got you covered. The post 5 Comics You Must Read Before Seeing Suicide Squad appeared first on WIRED.

Your Guide to Brazil’s Crazy Pre-Olympics Political Chaos

If you think the US election is chaotic, just look 5,000 miles south. The post Your Guide to Brazil’s Crazy Pre-Olympics Political Chaos appeared first on WIRED.

Nike Didn’t Design Its Insane $1,200 Sunglasses for Mortals

If the features on these sunglasses sound like overkill to you, it’s because they 100% are. The post Nike Didn’t Design Its Insane $1,200 Sunglasses for Mortals appeared first onWIRED.

Russia’s Holding a ‘Tank Biathlon’ Because of Course It Is

Sometimes, the best way to make friends is to play war. The post Russia’s Holding a ‘Tank Biathlon’ Because of Course It Is appeared first on WIRED.

Stop Trying to Psychoanalyze Donald Trump

Not only is it wrong to armchair diagnose a politician, it is a perversion of what psychologial diagnoses are supposed to do. The post Stop Trying to Psychoanalyze Donald Trumpappeared first on WIRED.

Spotify’s Latest Algorithmic Playlist Is Full of Your Favorite New Music

Release Radar is a new, hyper-personalized playlist that’s geared specifically for new music releases. The post Spotify’s Latest Algorithmic Playlist Is Full of Your Favorite New Music appeared first on WIRED.

Sorry, Folks. The LHC Didn’t Find a New Particle After All

Physicists keeping on trying to prove the Standard Model wrong, and they keep failing. The post Sorry, Folks. The LHC Didn’t Find a New Particle After All appeared first on WIRED.

Hackers Don’t Have to Be Human Anymore. This Bot Battle Proves It

Now it’s bot against bot. The post Hackers Don’t Have to Be Human Anymore. This Bot Battle Proves It appeared first on WIRED.

WIRED Book Club: How Patrick Rothfuss Saved a ‘Hot Mess’ of a Book

Magic! Mayhem! Mystery! We talk to Patrick Rothfuss about his beloved Kingkiller Chronicle trilogy. The post WIRED Book Club: How Patrick Rothfuss Saved a ‘Hot Mess’ of a Bookappeared first on WIRED.

The Rogue Blogger Who Keeps Spoiling Physics’ Biggest News

Adam Falkowski keeps jumping the gun on the biggest announcements in physics. And he’s doing it for a reason. The post The Rogue Blogger Who Keeps Spoiling Physics’ Biggest News appeared first on WIRED.

Osmo’s New iPad Game Puts Your Drawings in a Monster’s Hands

With Osmo Monster, you scribble something in front of an iPad, and an onscreen beast picks it up and plays with it. The post Osmo’s New iPad Game Puts Your Drawings in a Monster’s Hands appeared first on WIRED.

Sad Windows XP Machine Spotted at the Las Vegas Airport

Seriously, it’s time to upgrade to an operating system that actually receives security updates. The post Sad Windows XP Machine Spotted at the Las Vegas Airport appeared first onWIRED.

Here’s Your First Look at Christopher Nolan’s Epic Dunkirk

The World War II drama, which stars Tom Hardy and Mark Rylance, looks like no day at the beach. The post Here’s Your First Look at Christopher Nolan’s Epic Dunkirk appeared first on WIRED.

Review: 2017 Aston Martin DB11

The DB11 is a much needed redefinition of what makes an Aston an Aston. The post Review: 2017 Aston Martin DB11 appeared first on WIRED.

So, a Few Concerns About China’s Traffic-Slaying ‘Straddling Bus’

Including, is this really a bus? The post So, a Few Concerns About China’s Traffic-Slaying ‘Straddling Bus’ appeared first on WIRED.

Apple’s Finally Offering Bug Bounties—With the Highest Rewards Ever

Better late than never. The post Apple’s Finally Offering Bug Bounties—With the Highest Rewards Ever appeared first on WIRED.

Intel Recalls Basis Peak Watches Because of All the Burning

You’ll want to take off that Basis Peak now. The post Intel Recalls Basis Peak Watches Because of All the Burning appeared first on WIRED.

Daily Fantasy Sports Win the Startup Bowl Against New York

It’s time to brush off your rosters and open your wallets: Daily fantasy sports are legal in New York after a bruising battle. The post Daily Fantasy Sports Win the Startup Bowl Against New York appeared first on WIRED.

At Black Hat, a Reminder That Decryption Can’t Be Legally Mandated

At Black Hat, civil liberties lawyers explain how companies can empower themselves to fight unreasonable government requests for customer information. The post At Black Hat, a Reminder That Decryption Can’t Be Legally Mandated appeared first on WIRED.

The Mesmerizing Math of a Wind Turbine on Fire

This video shows a wind turbine on fire making a crazy helix. Here’s how to model this motion in 3D. The post The Mesmerizing Math of a Wind Turbine on Fire appeared first onWIRED.

It’s No Miracle Everyone Escaped That Fiery Dubai Plane Crash

The evacuation of Emirates flight EK521 is a reminder of how well modern aviation safety standards can work. The post It’s No Miracle Everyone Escaped That Fiery Dubai Plane Crash appeared first on WIRED.

This Imaginary Trump-Ryan Convo is Officially Too Good to Miss

One comedy writer’s Twitter feed has gone from funny to indispensable. The post This Imaginary Trump-Ryan Convo is Officially Too Good to Miss appeared first on WIRED.

The Obama-Biden Bromance Returns to Cheer You Up

Sick of politics, and bad news? Everyone is, but at least Joe Biden is here to give you a hug. The post The Obama-Biden Bromance Returns to Cheer You Up appeared first onWIRED.

Watch Rick and Morty Reenact a Crazy Georgia Court Case

Back in June, a hilarious court transcript started making the rounds online. So Justin Roiland recreated it with the characters from his Adult Swim show. The post Watch Rick and Morty Reenact a Crazy Georgia Court Case appeared first on WIRED.

DNC Breach Rallies Hackers To Clinton’s Side in Vegas

Trump’s dangerous remarks on cybersecurity have led to the first-ever political fundraiser at one of America’s biggest hacker conferences. The post DNC Breach Rallies Hackers To Clinton’s Side in Vegas appeared first on WIRED.

Earthquakes in the Cape Verde Islands Could Signal an Explosive Eruption to Come

Earthquakes at Brava in the Cape Verde Islands mean it could be waking up after millennia of quiet. Also, eruptions in Indonesia are disrupting air traffic. The post Earthquakes in the Cape Verde Islands Could Signal an Explosive Eruption to Come appeared first on WIRED.

A California City Is Fending Off Zika by Releasing 40,000 Mosquitoes Every Week

As disease-carrying mosquitoes continue their march across the United States, communities are experimenting with new ways to keep the vectors under control. The post A California City Is Fending Off Zika by Releasing 40,000 Mosquitoes Every Week appeared first on WIRED.

7 Cities Transforming Their Rivers From Blights to Beauties

From Chicago to Medellin, Rivers are becoming about fun, not sewage, industry, and flood control The post 7 Cities Transforming Their Rivers From Blights to Beauties appeared first on WIRED.

Oliver Stone’s Anti-Cell Phone PSA Is So Very Oliver Stone

The director says the devices will be “our undoing.” He also really, really wants you to turn your dang phone off off while you’re at the movies. The post Oliver Stone’s Anti-Cell Phone PSA Is So Very Oliver Stone appeared first on WIRED.

If You Want to Study Disease, the Olympics Are Where to Be

Epidemiologists work to prevent epidemics, but they also can’t study really epidemics without one happening. Mass gatherings like the Olympics are a learning opportunity. The postIf You Want to Study Disease, the Olympics Are Where to Be appeared first on WIRED.

Apple’s New Squirt Gun Emoji Hides a Big Political Statement

With iOS 10, Apple is entering the conversation around gun control. The post Apple’s New Squirt Gun Emoji Hides a Big Political Statement appeared first on WIRED.

Cape Watch: Guardians Vol. 2 Doesn’t Have the Stones—Literally

Also, the Rocketeer may be returning to the big screen and even more people will be attending Spider-Man’s homecoming. The post Cape Watch: Guardians Vol. 2 Doesn’t Have the Stones—Literally appeared first on WIRED.

Pokémon Go Is Evolving the App Store Into a Money Monster