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Envelopes filled with money, steamed dumplings, human-driven dragons in parades—what’s not to love about Lunar New Year? (And why can’t Western holidays follow a moon-based calendar, man? Buncha FOOLS.) We look forward to every Lunar New Year, but this year we’re kicking off celebrations with a special reminder to support Chinese and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) businesses in your own community, and on the web from the comfort of your couch. 

It’s the Year of the Rabbit, y’all, and we could definitely use some of that pleasant energy during the long, cold winter. This year, the rabbit approaches with a fingerlicking selection of drops and collaborations from brands, including a spicy, new flavor from Fly by Jing, a collab apron between Omsom and Dawang, an awesome New Year Care Pack gift set from Umamicart, some pretty fly Year of the Rabbit lace-up boots from Dr. Martens, some pretty, red envelopes from Yun Hai, and more.

It’s also easier than ever to shop for Asian groceries online, and marketplaces such as Umamicart have curated an entire Lunar New Year smorgasbord for you and some hungry buds to get jolly. The limits of Lunar goodness know no bounds in 2023, and we’re all about it, so let’s dive in. 

Pearl River Mart

NYC institution Pearl River Mart was founded as a “friendship store” by Chinese immigrants in 1971, and has become a mainstay for all sorts of goods, from fashion and decor to food and drink. Its Year of the Rabbit Friendship Box includes notepads, snacks, noisemakers, lucky charms, money envelopes, and more.

Fly by Jing

Ah, what we would do to have a lover ladle everything from Fly by Jing into our mouths while we sit on a faux-bearskin rug. The Sichuan-centric craft food brand was founded in 2018 by chef Jing Gao, who says she was inspired by “the amazing flavors of my hometown Chengdu and its famous fly restaurants—soulful hole-in-the-wall eateries so good they attract diners like flies.” The brand just went live with Sichuan Gold, a new chili oil that’s 9x (!) the spice of Fly by Jing’s classic chili oil.

Our Place

VICE reader- and editor-approved cookware producer Our Place is at it again with a new collection honoring the Lunar New Year. The Rice Bowl Set includes handmade Year of the Rabbit-inspired rice bowls, bamboo chopsticks, and chopstick rests. The brand also released a limited-edition version of its beloved Always Pan in a festive firecracker red. 

Yun Hai

With headquarters in Taichung, Taiwan, and New York City, Yun Hai offers “premium ingredients for Chinese and Taiwanese cooking.” For this Lunar New Year, however, Yun Hai teamed up with 0.00 to create a gorgeous series of Year of the Rabbit red envelopes to give “lucky money” for a prosperous year ahead.

Pat McGrath

Makeup icon Pat McGrath has dropped The Lunar New Year Collection, which features some pretty attractive lip and eye items. Check out the lipstick, or just go all-in on the Everything Kit.

Omsom

When we just don’t have enough juice left in our one working brain cell to whip up a homemade sauce, Omsom’s starter sauce packets swoop in to elevate our humble stir fries, fish, and veggies. Founded by Vietnamese-American sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham, the pantry brand can help even the most kitchen-illiterate create delicious dishes including Chinese mala salad, or integrate Vietnamese lemongrass blends into their BBQs. As good as its food is, Omsom went on a full-on fashion turn for this Lunar New Year by collaborating with Dawang on a limited-edition apron top.

Dr. Martens

Beloved shoe brand Dr. Martens has dropped a new collection called Year of the Rabbit, which features the company’s iconic black leather with red stitching and a striking red heel loop; a zipper down the middle distinguishes these boots as something truly worth stomping around in in 2023.

Tower 28

Tower 28 is back again with two special Lunar New Year bundles. Both come with limited-edition sticker packs designed by AAPI illustrator Kimi Kimo.

Umamicart

We can’t believe Umamicart hasn’t been around forever, because we can’t imagine our pantries without the immense joy the online Asian grocery store brings. Umamicart has many hundreds of ingredients that include produce, frozen meats and fish, pantry goods, and enough Pocky and snacks to fuel our week-long Netflix binges. To celebrate the Lunar New Year, the brand is offering gift sets featuring goodies like chili crisp, shrimp chips, bubble tea, ramen, and more.  

Happy Lunar New Year!

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story.

I’m one sore lass. Running and constantly working out takes a toll on my muscles. Is there ever a day at least one muscle group of mine is not sore? No, mate. If you feel sorry for me, don’t, because no pain equals no gain. It means I’m doing something right in my regime, even if that means using a bag of frozen peas as an ice pack. I’ve been using my tried and true foam roller for ages to help relieve tension, but I need something way more substantial for recovery. I don’t have the desire (or the funds) to splurge on a shiatsu massage to metaphorically karate chop my pain away, but I have other tricks up my sleeve.

I’m grateful for the decade we live in, because tech has become so savvy. There's even a smart vibrator that uses artificial intelligence to chart your orgasms. Being a tech connoisseur and a fan of futuristic vibes (Daft Punk, please get back together), I surround myself with the latest gadgets and devices in hopes that they will solve all my problems—and sometimes, they do. I’m currently in love with my latest countertop acquisition, the Nutribullet Slow Juicer, but today I really want to give recognition to the cute little machine that helps blast away my physical pain—the Theragun Mini 2.0 by Therabody.

In case you’re unaware, Therabody massage guns are the bee’s knees and are some of the best massagers on the market. Through percussive therapy, they decrease muscle soreness, relieve tension and knots, speed up recovery, and help increase mobility and range of motion. Therabody has a wide selection of massage gun models, but the Mini packs the same punch (pun intended) with a smaller size—plus, there’s just a special novelty about objects that are miniature. The Mini is also ultra portable, a bonus when it comes to traveling or bringing it along to the sweaty dungeon (aka the gym).

First impressions

Theragun’s first generation of the Mini was the talk of the town when it first dropped, but now all its glory is with its latest second generation. It now features three different attachment heads: the dampener (a firm, yet gentle attachment for the whole body); the standard ball (a firmer option for both large and small muscle groups); and the thumb (designed to mimic an actual human thumb for trigger points and the lower back). You also may think it couldn’t get any more compact—wrong. It’s now 20 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter.

What rules about it

When I really want to get into my inner nooks and crannies, the standard ball attachment head is my go-to with its firmer pressure. I almost constantly have hamstring and calf soreness, but after one massage session, my tightness is relieved immediately for the rest of the day. It legit feels like your entire limb is vibrating. Some of the heavier speeds may feel a little overwhelming for some athletes, but I’m constantly sore, so to me it feels like pure bliss. When I want a more gentle massage that covers more surface area, the dampener attachment is my best friend. I’m personally not a huge fan of the thumb attachment, but if you’re someone who suffers from back pain, it can be a game changer for targeting precise, hard-to-reach areas. There are also three different speed settings to adjust to your own comfort level. You can also expect an almost silent motor with its QuietForce Technology, while also having an included USB-A to USB-C charger.

Another new feature of the Mini 2.0 is its Bluetooth compatibility with the Therabody app. It offers personalized routines for recovery and guidance on how to alleviate specific pain or ailments. If you don’t know where to start, you can visually look and listen through the app.

What’s tricky

The only flaw is it has a slighter shorter battery life compared to its previous model. It now has a 120-minute battery life compared to 150 minutes, but that is the tradeoff for it being a smaller model.

TL;DR: If you’re in need of a small gadget that relieves your muscle pain, tightness, and soreness, the Theragun Mini 2.0 should be on your shopping list. And, no, you don’t have to be a gym rat to indulge in *all the good vibrations*. It doesn’t matter if you WFH all day, only ran the mile once in gym class, or are a seasoned powerlifter—this thing will spike your dopamine (or, at the very least, make your muscles feel better).

Therabody’s Theragun Mini 2.0 is available for purchase at Therabody and Amazon.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Warrantless surveillance branded illegal, said to unfairly target the poor, immigrants, minorities

US government investigators have been demanding and receiving millions of money-transfer records from Western Union and similar outfits. Now US Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) wants an investigation into this bulk financial surveillance.…

Enlarge / Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) serenely growing on a tree trunk in a forest. But nematodes beware! These oyster mushrooms want to eat you—and they have evolved a novel mechanism for paralyzing and killing you. (credit: Arterra/Getty Images)

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are a staple of many kinds of cuisine, prized for its mild flavors and a scent vaguely hinting at anise. These cream-colored mushrooms are also one of several types of carnivorous fungi that prey on nematodes (roundworms) in particular. The mushrooms have evolved a novel mechanism for paralyzing and killing its nematode prey: a toxin contained within lollipop-like structures called toxocysts that, when emitted, causes widespread cell death in roundworms within minutes. Scientists have now identified the specific volatile organic compound responsible for this effect, according to a new paper published in the journal Science Advances.

Carnivorous fungi like the oyster mushroom feed on nematodes because these little creatures are plentiful in soil and provide a handy protein source. Different species have evolved various mechanisms for hunting and consuming their prey. For instance, oomycetes are fungus-like organisms that send out "hunter cells" to search for nematodes. Once they find them, they form cysts near the mouth or anus of the roundworms and then inject themselves into the worms to attack the internal organs. Another group of oomycetes uses cells that behave like prey-seeking harpoons, injecting the fungal spores into the worm to seal its fate.

Other fungi produce spores with irritating shapes like stickles or stilettos. The nematodes swallow the spores, which get caught in the esophagus and germinate by puncturing the worm's gut. There are sticky branch-like structures that act like superglue; death collars that detach when nematodes swim through them, injecting themselves into the worms; and a dozen or so fungal species employ snares that constrict in under a second, squeezing the nematodes to death.

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Creativity flows as the moon in Sagittarius squares off with Neptune in Pisces at 3:17 AM, but we may also feel especially emotionally tender at this time. The moon mingles with Saturn in Aquarius at 5:09 AM, encouraging us to set boundaries, and the moon enters Capricorn at 2:11 PM, finding us exploring our limits and expectations. Big emotions may arise as the moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries at 8:29 PM.

All times ET.

Read your monthly horoscope for January!

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Aries: March 20, 2023 - April 20, 2023

Solid social connections can form as the moon in Sagittarius connects with Saturn in Aquarius. The moon enters Capricorn, lighting up the sector of your chart that rules success and recognition! Your influence is great as the moon squares off with Jupiter in your sign, Aries.

Taurus: April 20, 2023 - May 21, 2023

The moon enters fellow earth sign Capricorn, which can find you exploring new opportunities, traveling, or focusing on school. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, and you’re eager to break out of your usual routine.

Gemini: May 21, 2023 - June 21, 2023

Meaningful discussions can take place as the moon in Sagittarius connects with Saturn in Aquarius. The moon enters Capricorn, finding you focused on financial concerns: You may feel called to settle a debt or organize your bills.

Cancer: June 21, 2023 - July 22, 2023

Your focus turns to your relationships today as the moon enters your opposite sign Capricorn. You and a partner could be ready to make a big change as the moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries. You might be making something public.

Leo: July 22, 2023 - August 23, 2023

Future plans can be discussed as the moon in Sagittarius connects with Saturn in Aquarius. The mood is very productive as the moon enters Capricorn, and you could be breaking out of your usual routine in some exciting way as the moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries.

Virgo: August 23, 2023 - September 23, 2023

The moon enters fellow earth sign Capricorn, which can inspire creativity and romance! A deep, meaningful connection forms as the moon squares off with the planet of growth, Jupiter, in passionate fire sign Aries.

Libra: September 23, 2023 - October 23, 2023

Productive conversations can take place as the moon in Sagittarius connects with Saturn in Aquarius. The moon enters Capricorn, which may bring your focus to your home and family life.

Scorpio: October 23, 2023 - November 22, 2023

A productive discussion about money or security can take place as the moon in Sagittarius connects with Saturn in Aquarius. The moon enters Capricorn, perhaps bringing information your way. Big plans can be put in motion as the moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries.

Sagittarius: November 22, 2023 - December 21, 2023

The moon in your sign, Sagittarius, squares off with Neptune in Pisces, which can put you in a sensitive mood. You may find yourself reflecting on your past. Your attention turns to finances as the moon enters Capricorn.

Capricorn: December 21, 2023 - January 20, 2024

The moon enters your zodiac sign today, Capricorn, encouraging you to focus on self care. The moon squares off with Jupiter in Aries, which could find you making a big change at home!

Aquarius: January 20, 2023 - February 18, 2023

The moon in Sagittarius connects with your ruling planet Saturn, now in Aquarius, which can find you making solid social connections—but make time to rest as the moon enters Capricorn.

Pisces:  February 18, 2023 - March 20, 2023

The moon in Sagittarius squares off with your ruling planet Neptune in your sign, Pisces, perhaps stirring up many conflicting feelings about your career or life in the public eye. You may feel shy and glamorous all at one! Your attention turns to your social life as the moon enters Capricorn.

It’s finally here, the biggest release of 2022, a game decades in the making: Dwarf Fortress is finally released! Cado’s been checking the game out and is finding it much easier to parse after trying once back in 2008. Then we break the news that much to our surprise the FTC has actually filed a lawsuit to block the Microsoft/Activision merger. After the break, we check in with Patrick’s end of year sprint as he’s finishing Metal Hellsinger and starting Immortality. Then we dip into the question bucket to hear all about everyone’s personal “pseudonym” type mispronunciations.

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. If you're using something else, this RSS link should let you add the podcast to whatever platform you'd like. If you'd like to directly download the podcast, click here. Please take a moment and review the podcast, especially on Apple Podcasts. It really helps.

Interaction with you is a big part of this podcast, so make sure to send any questions you have for us to gaming@vice.com with the header "Questions." (Without the quotes!) We can't guarantee we'll answer all of your questions, but rest assured, we'll be taking a look at them.

Have thoughts? Swing by the Waypoint forums to share them!

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)

Federal authorities on Wednesday arrested the founder of Bitzlato, a cryptocurrency exchange they said has been a financial haven for Russia-aligned criminals engaged in ransomware and illicit drug sales on the dark web.

Anatoly Legkodymov, a 40-year-old Russian national residing in Shenzhen, China, was arrested on Wednesday in Miami, US prosecutors said. The prosecutors alleged that on Legkodymov’s watch, Bitzlato processed roughly $4.58 billion worth of cryptocurrency transactions and that a “substantial portion of those transactions constitute the proceeds of crime, as well as funds intended for use in criminal transactions.” Bitzlato is known as a virtual asset service provider (VASP).

Ransomware and cybercrime bazaars—no questions asked

The US Justice Department took action in conjunction with the US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which enforces laws prohibiting domestic and international money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes. A centerpiece of the FinCEN agenda is enforcing sanctions against Russian entities, including ransomware groups affiliated with that country.

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Patrick and Cado welcome Ren back to the land of the living this week as she’s finally destroyed all the Covid in her body. Which is great timing because they both needed someone to explain the recent drama between Nintendo, licensed and unlicensed Smash Bros tournaments, and one particularly over zealous CEO. Then Ren tells us of her time exploding heads with magic abilities in Warhammer 40k: Darktide. After the break, Cado and Ren chat about finishing Signalis, a game that seems destined for Patrick’s “Best 2022 game I played in 2023” slot. Then we revisit the world of Pillars of Eternity, the 2015 game that Ren fell into in the depths of being sick.

Fortnite 11:03, Super Smash Bros. Tournament Drama 15:46, ActiBlizzard Union vote in Albany 27:07, Warhammer 40k: Darktide 34:50, Signalis 49:17, Patrick's end of year dilemma 59:00, Pillars of Eternity 1:03:41, The Question Bucket 1:11:31

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher. If you're using something else, this RSS link should let you add the podcast to whatever platform you'd like. If you'd like to directly download the podcast, click here. Please take a moment and review the podcast, especially on Apple Podcasts. It really helps.

Interaction with you is a big part of this podcast, so make sure to send any questions you have for us to gaming@vice.com with the header "Questions." (Without the quotes!) We can't guarantee we'll answer all of your questions, but rest assured, we'll be taking a look at them.

Have thoughts? Swing by the Waypoint forums to share them!

Decison made on cost grounds - x86 giant aims to cut $10 billion in spending by 2025

Nearly two years after taking over as CEO, Pat Gelsinger's master plan to reinvent Intel is on uncertain footing as the chipmaker struggles financially and fights for government subsidies it says are necessary to keep its foundry expansion on track.…

Enlarge (credit: DeFodi Images )

Moderna's mRNA-based vaccine against RSV (respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus) was effective at preventing disease in older adults, according to preliminary, top-line results of an ongoing phase III clinical trial the company announced Tuesday. Moderna said it will now seek regulatory approval for the vaccine in the first half of this year.

According to the company, the vaccine was 83.7 percent effective at preventing RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD) involving two or more symptoms in adults age 60 and over. It was 82.4 percent effective at preventing RSV-LRTD with three or more symptoms in the same group. No safety concerns were identified.

The findings are another positive sign for mRNA vaccine platforms generally, which Moderna and other pharmaceutical companies have quickly shifted to for fighting various other infections and diseases given the global success of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. mRNA-based vaccines are now in development for everything from seasonal flu to HIV and certain cancers.

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Enlarge / The new webcams are supposed to be home office-friendly and come in graphite, off-white, and rose. (credit: Logitech)

Logitech today released a new series of webcams for users and IT managers seeking something below the $100 mark that still incorporates handy home office features, like a physical shutter and noise-canceling microphone.

The Brio 300 and almost identically specced but enterprise-focused Brio 305 each support up to 1920×1080 resolution at 30 frames per second and claim 2 megapixels (MP). They also include a microphone with noise reduction and can automatically adjust brightness and contrast based on the room's lighting by using hardware and Logitech's Tune app.

Automatic lighting adjustments and background noise suppression have become popular features for companies—whether they're for webcams, laptops, or monitors—to brag about since working from home became more prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. With $70 MSRPs, the Brio 300 and 305 are now the cheapest cameras in Logitech's lineup that offer those features and support for 1080p or better resolution.

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Oh noooo, are you full of dread, again? Does the merest, fleeting thought of your inbox fill you with rage? Are you wrestling with a lowkey sense of futility as more and more plot devices from dystopian science fiction wriggle their way into our everyday normal? You deserve a break from *gestures vaguely* all this.

What you need, my friend, is a dose of Mother Nature. That’s right, capital-M, capital-N, Mommy Nature, to remind you that you’re just a mammal, living with other mammals (and non-mammals, and trees, and plants ,and bugs, and mushrooms, and more), over wildly different landscapes, on this weird rock spinning around a nuclear explosion, hurtling through the void.

But, like, in a good way. It’ll make sense when you’re gawking at the Milky Way over the desert, promise.

One of the good things about living in the future (dystopian bullshit aside) is that you don’t have to be into roughin’ it to enjoy the Great Outdoors. The existence of Airbnb means that you can stay at someone else’s cozy cabin in the woods while you detox modern life enough to get your brain back to producing happy chemicals again. We’ve selected these gems based on their National Park proximity, rad amenities, and general cool factor. Not all of them have WiFi—but that’s a good thing, right? We’ve run down the best vacation homes in the middle of nowhere, and the most psychedelic stays in Joshua Tree; these picks are for the peeps who wanna use their National Parks pass to the max.

National Parks are protected land, so plan for some driving between your adventures and your home-away-from-home. Which is actually the perfect opportunity to stock up on booze and s’mores supplies. Then, sitting by a crackling fireplace or soaking in a hot tub under the stars, you’ll feel a little more hopeful. Promise.

Ogle the Biggest Vista in Texas

Picture yourself at sunset, surrounded by mountains and astonishingly pink sky, sipping something delightful on the porch of this mining-ruin-cum-effortless-loft and radiating peace into the evening. Spend your days down the way at Big Bend National Park, and your nights snuggled up under the stars.

Terlingua Mining Ruin - Lofthouse, sleeps 2 guests, $159/night

Soak in the Great Smoky View

Perched on a peak of the Great Smoky Mountains, featuring two porches with panoramic views, one cozy fireplace, and arguably the dopest placement of a hot tub available on Airbnb, this sweet mountain house has it all.

Smoky Mountain Escape, sleeps 6, $190/night

Adventure through the Canyonlands

Whether you’re into rock climbs, mountain bikes, challenging hikes, ATVs, or whitewater rafting, there’s a rad sport in Moab for all your high-octane friends. And if your favorite sport is gathering all of your friends in a huge but cozy rim-side cabin, you’ll be a winner, too.

Hideout at the Rim, sleeps 16 guests, $901/night

Become Unreachable by Crater Lake

Go fully off the grid in this no-frills, classic A-frame cabin-in-the-woods. Head up to Crater Lake and disappear into the forest. Search for yeti. Give yourself over to the mosses. No one can email you here.

Secluded Get-A-Way: Cabin in the Woods, sleeps 5 guests, $114/night

Escape Winter Among the Joshua Trees

While there's no shortage of weird, wild, wonderful rental homes in Joshua Tree, this sunny, colorful Palm Springs cottage has mountain views and a private pool—the perfect jumping-off place for exploring one of the strangest, most beautiful landscapes on the continent.

Colorful Oasis With a Dreamy Desert Vibe, sleeps 2, $222/night

Prefer something a little more "hedonistic"? This mid-century escape is your desert oasis, complete with vibey retro decor, an incredible pool and hot tub, and amenities galore.

The JT Improper, sleeps 5, $264/night

There’s No Home Like Yellowstone

This is not your grandpa’s vacation cabin—this A-frame beauty is actually cute, it has a bubbling hot tub , and the whole fam will be talking about how cozy and conveniently located it was to bison-gazing and geyser-exploring at Yellowstone.

Island Park Hideaway, sleeps 12, $394/night

Admire the Acadian Ocean

Acadia National Park may not be as well-known as some of the others, but these granite cliffs on the Atlantic are no less stunning than anything out west. This rare cabin, located within the park itself, highlights them beautifully with its porch, picture windows, and yoga platform all perfectly positioned to best admire the epic view.

Exquisite Seaside Cottage on Somes Sound, sleeps 3, $385/night

If you prefer to proceed directly to the ocean, check out this sweet retreat on the quiet side of the island, also featuring indoor/outdoor living and picture windows, but paired here with your own private beach access.

Oceanfront Acadia - The Boathouse, sleeps 2, $179/night

Stay in one of a Thousand Islands

Always dreamed of having your own private island? Well you can bring the captain, the skipper, AND his wife plus six more friends to stay on a 1.2 acre private isle just off-shore in the gorgeous St. Lawrence River—part of the Thousand Islands National Park.

Private Island Airbnb “The Sea Angell”, sleeps 10, $250/night

A Shenandoah Yurt

Sure you’ve camped, maybe stayed in an A-frame, or even a log cabin…but have you ever had the pleasure of staying in a Yurt? This gorgeous round abode doesn’t cut any corners (lol), there’s a wood-burning stove, hot tub, electric vehicle charger, and even an archery range.

Shenandoah Yurt, sleeps 8, $445/night

Go forth! Have gorgeous nature adventures and enjoy a hot shower at the end of them and you’ll remember why being a human in the 21st century isn’t all bad.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. VICE may receive a small commission if you buy through the links on our site.

Enlarge (credit: John Timmer)

Cyrusher offers a wide range of e-bikes, from basic around-town frames to rugged all-terrain bikes, with the unifying theme being very, very fat tires. I'd seen a number of people cruising around on extra-fat tires (as in, much fatter than a mountain bike's) and was curious about them. Just how much did the huge surface area of these tires slow down your ride? And is the traction they offer worth paying that cost in performance?

So, I was excited about getting the chance to try one out to see for myself. But then I noticed the XF690 Maxs and got excited about a bunch of other stuff, too. It was a folding bike, and I'd been wanting to try one of those. I've spent almost no time on mountain bikes and was curious about taking one across some rough terrain. The XF690 Maxs seemed to offer the chance to scratch a number of itches at once.

It didn't quite work out as I hoped, in that some of the things I wanted to try weren't especially compatible with each other. So, while the XF690 Maxs is an interesting bike, it's somewhat less than the sum of its parts, in that designs dedicated to just one of these capabilities will probably get you a better experience.

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Multiple takes and prior 3D route mapping were required, Tesla's Ashok Elluswamy said in deposition

Allegations that Tesla staged a 2016 video demonstrating full self driving have resurfaced, and this time it's not an anonymous source making the claims – it's testimony from Tesla's own director of Autopilot software, Ashok Elluswamy.…

The U.S. Department of Labor plans to fine Amazon over $60,000 for safety violations regarding warehouse workers, according to an announcement on Wednesday. Departmental investigators cited the company for “failing to keep workers safe,” which it said was a violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

The Department’s Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration (OSHA) inspected three warehouse facilities in Florida, Illinois, and New York, and issued hazard alert letters after finding that workers were “exposed to ergonomic hazards,” according to the press release.

The Department proposed a penalty of $60,269 for the violations.

“OSHA investigators found Amazon warehouse workers at high risk for lower back injuries and other musculoskeletal disorders related to the high frequency with which workers are required to lift packages and other items; the heavy weight of the items; awkward postures, such as twisting, bending and long reaches while lifting; and long hours required to complete assigned tasks,” the OSHA press release reads.

“OSHA also reviewed on-site injury logs required by OSHA and discovered that Amazon warehouse workers experienced high rates of musculoskeletal disorders.”

OSHA has previously cited Amazon for 14 instances of failing to properly record or report worker injuries in December 2022.

Worker safety is a known issue at Amazon. Both warehouse workers and drivers previously told Motherboard they have been subjected to long, grueling hours. Warehouse workers said that during peak season—the busiest time of the year for the company, spanning from mid-November to the end of December—they worked up to 60-hour weeks and close to 12-hour shifts. Drivers have faced dog attacks on the job and are so short on time that they often can’t pull over and use the bathroom.

Amazon is aware that working at its warehouses can take a toll on workers' bodies, and has launched numerous workplace initiatives that have, for example, framed workers as “industrial athletes” and advised them on everything from stretches to nutrition.

Worker safety concerns led to the organizing behind the Amazon Labor Union, which just last week was certified by the National Labor Relations Board, and has yet to begin bargaining with the company.

Amazon has 15 business days to either pay the fine or contest OSHA’s findings.

“We take the safety and health of our employees very seriously, and we strongly disagree with these allegations and intend to appeal,” said Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson. “We’ve cooperated fully, and the government’s allegations don’t reflect the reality of safety at our sites. Over the last several months we’ve demonstrated the extent to which we work every day to mitigate risk and protect our people, and our publicly available data show we’ve reduced injury rates nearly 15% between 2019 and 2021.”

“What’s more, the vast majority of our employees tell us they feel our workplace is safe,” Nantel continued. “We look forward to sharing more during our appeal about the numerous safety innovations, process improvements, and investments we’re making to further reduce injuries. We know there will always be ways for us to improve even further, and we will—we’ll never stop working to be safer for our employees.”

Enlarge / Alex Spiro, attorney for Elon Musk, arrives for the shareholder lawsuit trial at federal court in San Francisco on January 18, 2023. (credit: Getty Images)

The jury trial in Tesla investors' class-action lawsuit against Elon Musk proceeded today with opening statements in a San Francisco federal courtroom. Plaintiff's attorney Nicholas Porritt told the jury the case was brought "because Elon Musk, Tesla's chairman and chief executive officer, who is not in court today but you will see him sitting right there in the witness box, lied. And his lies caused regular people like Glen Littleton to lose millions and millions of dollars."

Porritt pointed out that Judge Edward Chen already ruled Musk's statements in August 2018 about having "funding secured" to take Tesla private were false and made recklessly. The case is being held in US District Court for the Northern District of California.

Because of the judge's ruling and instructions that will be given to the jury, "you are to assume that every word, every part of this tweet is false," Porritt said.

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More than 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci was watching air bubbles float up through water—as you do when you’re a Renaissance-era polymath—when he noticed that some bubbles inexplicably started spiraling or zigzagging instead of making a straight ascent to the surface.

For centuries, nobody has offered a satisfying explanation for this weird periodic deviation in the motion of some bubbles through water, which has been called “Leonardo’s paradox.” 

Now, a pair of scientists think they may have finally solved the longstanding riddle by developing new simulations that match high-precision measurements of the effect, according to a study published on Tuesday in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

The results suggest that bubbles can reach a critical radius that pushes them into new and unstable paths due to interactions between the flow of water around them and the subtle deformations of their shapes.

“The motion of bubbles in water plays a central role for a wide range of natural phenomena, from the chemical industry to the environment,” said authors Miguel Herrada and Jens Eggers, who are fluid physics researchers at the University of Seville and the University of Bristol respectively, in the study. “The buoyant rise of a single bubble serves as a much-studied paradigm, both experimentally and theoretically.”

“Yet, in spite of these efforts, and in spite of the ready availability of enormous computing power, it has not been possible to reconcile experiments with numerical simulations of the full hydrodynamic equations for a deformable air bubble in water,” the team continued. “This is true in particular for the intriguing observation, made already by Leonardo da Vinci, that sufficiently large air bubbles perform a periodic motion, instead of rising along a straight line.”

Leonardo da Vinci's bubble illustration from the Codex Leicester.

Indeed, bubbles are so ubiquitous in our daily lives that it can be easy to forget that they are dynamically complicated and often tricky to experimentally study. Rising air bubbles in water are influenced by a host of intersecting forces—such as fluid viscosity, surface friction, and any surrounding contaminants—that contort the shapes of the bubbles and shift the dynamics of the water flowing around them.

What da Vinci noted, and other scientists have since confirmed, is that air bubbles with a spherical radius that is much smaller than a millimeter tend to follow a straightforward upward path through water, whereas larger bubbles develop a wobble that results in periodic spiral or zigzag trajectories. 

Herrada and Eggers used the Navier–Stokes equations, which are a mathematical framework for describing the motion of viscous fluids, to simulate the complex interplay between the air bubbles and their watery medium. The team were able to pinpoint the spherical radius that triggers this tilt—0.926 millimeters, which is about the size of a pencil tip—and describe the possible mechanism behind the squiggly motion.

A bubble that has exceeded the critical radius becomes more unstable, producing a tilt that changes the curvature of the bubble. The shift in curvature increases the velocity of water around the surface of the bubble, which kicks off the wobble motion. The bubble then returns to its original position due to the pressure imbalance created by the deformations in its curved shape, and repeats the process on a periodic cycle.

In addition to resolving a 500-year-old paradox, the new study could shed light on a host of other questions about the mercurial behavior of bubbles, and other objects that defy easy categorization.

“While it was previously believed that the bubble’s wake becomes unstable, we now demonstrate a new mechanism, based on the interplay between flow and bubble deformation,” Herrada and Eggers concluded in the study. “This opens the door to the study of small contaminations, present in most practical settings, which emulate a particle somewhere in between a solid and a gas.”

What is dead may never die, and it's all thanks to Jim Hall

Retro Tech Week  The last mainstream DOS-based OS was Windows ME, which went out of support 20 years ago. And yet, thanks to free software, DOS lives on. We spoke to FreeDOS founder Jim Hall about how the project started and how it's progressing.…

Have you looked at vibrators lately? [Opens trench coat.] Sex toys have evolved a lot since the days of the Magic Wand (the GOAT; no shade); tradish dildos are stepping aside for a broader range of versatile, ungendered toys that look like amorphous aliens and know their way around all of our slits and nibs. We treasure the veins on our ‘ol silicone saucisson, but we're bored. It’s 2023, and we’re ready to bone Flubber. That’s where Dame’s latest vibrator comes in.

If you’re new to Dame, welcome. Not only is the brand a horny Memphis design lover’s wet dream (shapes on postmodern shapes, mate), but it’s been behind groundbreaking, sex-positive subway campaigns and a publicity stunt worthy of The Onion to raise money for Planned Parenthood (please see: the Mitch McConnell dildo). When it drops a new toy, I drop to my knees and ask, “How much, Mommy?”

At $49, the new Dip vibrator is less spensi than a lobster dinner, and it looks like outer space shrapnel. In addition to the accessible price tag (only one other toy, a small bullet vibe, is cheaper on the brand’s site), Dip has also been marketed as one of the most versatile vibrators you can own thanks to its unique size and shape.

Dip looked humpable, fuckable, and ready to tickle nips and perineums alike. It looked un-intimidating, and maybe (probably) even smarter than me, so I decided to see if it could hold its own as both a solo and partner-play sex toy.

What was rad

“Yeah. I could hump this” was the first thought I had when I saw Dip’s tapered form, which kind of looks like the underside of the Titanic, which is great news for James Cameron people with vaginas who dig humping and grinding toys.

Dip is a pro for direct clitoral stimulation (that silky, firm silicone = a dream) but something unexpected happened once I started to grind up on it; each end of the toy teeter-tottered in-between my clit and anal region, which I can only compare to the feeling you get when you have two speakers working instead of just one. A horny, gratifying equilibrium had been reached.

Photo Courtesy of Dame

When used with a partner, Dip is trusty. This hot rod is easy to hold at five inches in length, and a true testament to its namesake thanks to its easily maneuverable nature; dip it around your partner’s perineum (but please: no anal penetration; there’s no flared base on this boi) and rub it on their lower back; use it on their clit, shaft, and erogenous zones. Dip is just DTF.

What was tricky

… Nothing? I mean, do charge it up fully to make sure you get the most juice for your squeeze (I charged mine for a few hours to be fully loaded), but this really is a high quality, cheap sex toy for vibrator n00bs and sex toy collectors alike.

TL; DR

I would like to toss Dips from my Pope balcony like confetti for all taxpayers—that’s how much of a crowd pleaser this vibrator is for all genitals/holes/tastes. Want direct clitoral stimulation, or just-the-tip penetration during foreplay? In search of a little perineum play that’s not just sunning your anus? Dame hears you. It knows that sex, either with yourself or a partner, can involve a lot of multitasking, and Dip is up for the task as a vibrator that 1) costs less than two IMAX tickets to Avatar: The Way of Water and 2) will give you really great head.

The Dip vibrator can be purchased at Dame.

The Rec Room staff independently selected all of the stuff featured in this story. Want more reviews, recommendations, and red-hot deals? Sign up for our newsletter.

Enlarge / Artist's conception of the coming discussion between Wizards of the Coast and the D&D community over proposed OGL updates. (credit: WotC)

When Wizards of the Coast (WotC) rolled out proposed changes to its decades-old Open Gaming License (OGL), most average players and smaller creators had to hear about it via a leaked copy of a version sent to big content makers. Now, WotC promises any coming changes will be done through a "more open and transparent" process that will start a "robust conversation" around any new proposals.

In a post on the D&D Beyond forums today, WotC Executive Producer Kyle Brink writes that "new proposed OGL documentation" will be shared publicly on or before Friday, January 20. At that point, community members will have at least two weeks to offer feedback via a survey that will include specific questions and open-response fields.

WotC compared the new process to the one it uses for playtests of Unearthed Arcana documents, which are often used to solicit feedback on draft mechanics and gameplay ideas that haven't been fully tested. Once the new OGL survey concludes, Brink says WotC will "compile, analyze, react to, and present back what we heard from you."

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