There’s only one Woz, but we can all learn from him
Hello again, and welcome back to Fast Company’s Plugged In. On January 16, Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak—known to all as Woz—received the James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, an…
Grazia British
I focus on highlighting the latest in news and politics. With a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront, I aim to share stories that inspire progress, critical thinking, and informed discussions on today's most pressing issues.
Three sales secrets from the stage that translate into everyday leadership
I like to say that my job as a charity auctioneer is the ultimate sales role. I stand onstage night after night encouraging people to give money, playing off the audience to push them to…
You can finally see the Met Opera outside NYC: These movie theaters are showing ‘Kavalier and Clay’ this weekend
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to spend less time on devices and get more “cultured,” the Metropolitan Opera is here to help—even if you don’t find yourself in New York City. On…
Why AI can’t automate science, according to a philosopher
Consistent with the general trend of incorporating artificial intelligence into nearly every field, researchers and politicians are increasingly using AI models trained on scientific data…
Challenging Official Histories in “Natchez” and “Mr. Nobody Against Putin”
Rev displays the rhetorical power, leavened with humor and warmth, of a skilled public speaker, but many others are charismatic, too. There’s Deborah Cosey, the first Black member of the…
This tech could keep EVs from stressing the grid—and save everyone money
If you’re a typical American, you get home from work and start flipping switches and turning knobs—doing laundry, cooking dinner, watching TV. With so many other folks doing the same, the…
How Do You Write About the Inexplicable?
I’m a rational person. I grew up in a family of scientists. My dad, who studied the brain, told me when I was a kid that Santa and God didn’t exist. (Don’t say anything at school, he…
How to make your out-of-office emails a little spicier (with examples)
So, you’ve finally done it. No more putting it off, pushing through the grind, waiting for a more opportune time once things settle down. Alas, you’ve mustered up the gall to cash in on…
Measles is surging in the US. Wastewater tracking could help.
After all, wastewater contains saliva, urine, feces, shed skin, and more. You could consider it a rich biological sample. Wastewater analysis helped scientists understand how covid was…
America’s coming war over AI regulation
With Americans increasingly anxious about how AI could harm mental health, jobs, and the environment, public demand for regulation is growing. If Congress stays paralyzed, states will be…
6 families are suing TikTok after kids die doing the ‘blackout challenge’
Six families are suing TikTok after their children died emulating the so-called “blackout challenge” they had seen on the social media platform. The lawsuit alleges that TikTok’s algorithm…
Jamie Dimon wants government to restrict AI layoffs
While speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, Jamie Dimon, chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase, said AI could bring about “civil unrest” by destroying…
Why higher education needs to embrace AI
For all the talk of how artificial intelligence will revolutionize the way we live and work, there are few industries where generative AI has already had a profound impact. Across the…
Capital One just made a $5.15 billion move that could change how businesses manage money
Capital One is buying Brex in a $5.15 billion stock-and-cash deal that underscores how traditional banks are turning to fintech startups to modernize the way businesses manage money. The…
Patagonia takes drag queen Pattie Gonia to court in trademark infringement lawsuit
Patagonia, the outdoor apparel company, is suing Pattie Gonia, the drag queen and environmentalist, for trademark infringement—a move the company says is necessary to “protect the brand…
Winter storm 2026: You’ve seen the warnings. Here’s how to prepare for extreme cold, ice, and snow
Everyone is talking about it in group chats, at the supermarket, and at the gas pump. No, it’s not Heated Rivalry—it is the “monster” winter storm that is set to hit the U.S. this weekend,…
What Happens When a Chinese Battery Factory Comes to Town
At the end of the day, local residents may feel disconnected from these batteries, and from the green energy transition they enable, because Hungarians are not the target consumers. Most…
A major game publisher is shutting studios and killing six titles — here’s why
One of the giants of the gaming business has tumbled off a cliff. Ubisoft, the French game publisher best known for the Assassin’s Creed series, just announced plans to dramatically…
Airlines are preparing for major disruptions this weekend—here’s how to benefit from it
If you have travel plans this weekend and don’t necessarily need to travel, you may be in luck. A massive winter storm is forecasted this weekend—dubbed Winter Storm Fern by the Weather…
How Claude Code Is Reshaping Software—and Anthropic
Engineers in Silicon Valley have been raving about Anthropic’s AI coding tool, Claude Code, for months. But recently, the buzz feels as if it’s reached a fever pitch. Earlier this week, I…
Silk in diapers? P&G’s unusual plan to boost sales in China
With birth rates down around the world, Procter & Gamble is leaning into premium diapers to bolster sales figures. Specifically, the conglomerate is planning to sell diapers made with silk…
The 2026 Oscar Nominations and What Should Have Been Picked
Wes Anderson (“The Phoenician Scheme”) Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”) Kleber Mendonça Filho (“The Secret Agent”) Josh Safdie (“Marty Supreme”) First, the legally required boilerplate: by…
This is AI’s core architectural flaw
Large language models feel intelligent because they speak fluently, confidently, and at scale. But fluency is not understanding, and confidence is not perception. To grasp the real…
Remembering Valentino: How the fashion icon shaped the runway and red carpet for 60 years
Valentino, who died on Monday at 93, leaves a lasting legacy full of celebrities, glamour and, in his words, knowing what women want: “to be beautiful”. The Italian fashion powerhouse has…