Novelist Emily St. John Mandel Returns With Dual Vision of America's Troubled Future

·1 views

Canadian author Emily St. John Mandel, known for her 2014 pandemic novel Station Eleven, has released a new book titled Exit Party. The novel explores two contrasting fictional futures for the United States: one depicting a totalitarian state and another portraying a post-civil-war collapse. Mandel gained widespread recognition after Station Eleven was seen as eerily prescient following the COVID-19 pandemic. Her latest work continues her pattern of imagining large-scale societal disruption and its human consequences.

Read the full story at WIRED

This is an AI-generated summary. ShortSingh links to the original source for the complete article.

Discussion (0)

How Post-Pandemic Layoffs and Political Pressure Drove Tech Billionaires to Trump

The tech industry experienced widespread mass layoffs in 2022 and 2023, triggering significant unrest among workers who turned against their employers. As the sector struggled through a post-pandemic downturn, liberal politicians began taking a harder stance against Silicon Valley. Facing pressure from both their workforce and traditional political allies, prominent tech billionaires sought a new political home. Many ultimately shifted their support toward Donald Trump, seeing him as a more favorable alternative amid mounting scrutiny.

0 comments Read more at WIRED

ScienceWIRED ·

Singles Raise Alarm Over Covert Filming via Meta Smart Glasses on Dates

Growing concerns about surveillance technology have reached the dating scene, with singles reporting incidents of being secretly filmed by partners wearing Meta smart glasses. The wearers used the discreet camera-equipped eyewear to record their dates without consent or knowledge. Victims described feeling deeply violated upon discovering the covert recording. The incidents highlight broader anxieties around the normalization of wearable surveillance devices in everyday social settings.

0 comments Read more at WIRED

ScienceWIRED ·

Lab Tests Reveal Many Viral 'Bodega Peptides' Are Mislabeled Products

WIRED conducted laboratory testing on samples from four types of peptides sold at informal retail outlets. The results raised serious concerns about the accuracy of product labeling in the peptide market. The findings highlight how loosely regulated the peptide industry remains despite a significant surge in consumer popularity. The tests suggest that some products marketed as peptides may not contain what they claim. The investigation underscores the risks consumers face when purchasing supplements in an under-regulated space.

0 comments Read more at WIRED

ScienceWIRED ·

MAGA Think Tank Staffers Gain Significant Presence Inside US Census Bureau

The US Census Bureau has seen a notable influx of personnel affiliated with a MAGA-aligned think tank, raising concerns about political influence over a key federal agency. The Bureau holds sensitive data on nearly every US resident, which is used to apportion congressional districts and allocate federal funding. Critics worry that ideologically motivated staffers could affect how this data is collected, interpreted, or applied. The development has drawn scrutiny from those concerned about the integrity and independence of the Census process.

0 comments Read more at WIRED