Union VFX has shared with AWN and VFXWorld some of their powerful and poignant digital environment visual effects work on the Peacock and Sky eight-part series, The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Their work was recently nominated for a VES Award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Episode.The show tells the extraordinary true story of Lali Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew sent to Auschwitz in 1942. Forced to work as a tattooist, he meets Gita, a fellow prisoner, and their love blossoms amidst unimaginable horrors. Decades later, Lali recounts his story to writer Heather Morris, reflecting on the courage, love, and survival that defined his life.The studio notes that they were honored to collaborate with an incredible team to bring this poignant series to life. Working closely with Synchronicity Films, Alan Church, Simon Giles, Claire Mundell, and colleagues at Untold Studios, the Union VFX team played a key role in realizing the harrowing yet hopeful story. Their work ranged from the intricate digital reconstruction of Auschwitz-Birkenau to atmospheric effects like fire, ash, and weather.Tali Shalom-Ezer directs. Claire Mundell executive produces through her company Synchronicity Films. The show is produced in association with Sky Studios and All3Media International. The series is a co-production for Sky and Peacock. Jacquelin Perske serves as executive producer and lead writer alongside episode writers Evan Placey (Associate Producer) and Gabbie Asher. Serena Thompson executive produces for Sky Studios.The series is now streaming on NOW in the UK and Ireland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, Peacock in the US, and Stan in Australia.Source: Union VFX Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Zoinks! Netflix has just announced an all-new eight-episode live-action Scooby-Doo series, based on the Hanna-Barbera characters, that will uncover how everyones favorite mystery-solving gang, and their beloved dog, first teamed up to crack the haunting case that started it all. AWN first reported on the possible show development early last year.The show is billed as a modern reimagining of the iconic mystery-solving group of teens and their very special dog. During their final summer at camp, old friends Shaggy and Daphne get embroiled in a haunting mystery surrounding a lonely lost Great Dane puppy that may have been a witness to a supernatural murder. Together with the pragmatic and scientific townie, Velma, and the strange, but ever so handsome new kid, Freddy, they set out to solve the case that is pulling each of them into a creepy nightmare that threatens to expose all of their secrets.Ruh Roh!Josh Appelbaum and Scott Rosenberg (via Midnight Radio)serve as showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman (via Berlanti Productions and its overall deal with Warner Bros. Television), Andr Nemec and Jeff Pinkner (via Midnight Radio) also serve as executive producers. From Warner Bros. Television. No word yet on casting or expected release date.Regarding the announcement, Berlanti said, One of my first and favorite jobs in Hollywood was sitting with Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera while they signed animation cells. Josh and Scott and everyone at Midnight Radio have crafted a story that captures their amazing spirits and their genius creation. We are grateful to them and everyone at Warners and Netflix for the partnership in helping bring this iteration of Scooby-Doo to life!Clancy Collins White, President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Television, added, Were thrilled to collaborate with our longstanding partners at Berlanti Productions and with Midnight Radio to bring the legendary Scooby-Doo franchise to a live-action series for the first time. Its no mystery why audiences continue to love these iconic characters after more than a half century. Were excited for a new generation to discover Mystery Inc. And were grateful to our partners at Netflix for the opportunity.Source: Netflix Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Hi,In an empty new level, i put a simple sphere with an emissive red material glowing by multiplying color x1000.UE5.3.2 (cant upgrade right now)normal result:with Color {1 , 0.04, 0}weird result(with or without post-process):with Color {1 , 0, 0}the emissive is up with pure Red color why?light is emitted but the surface doesnt glow.if i make if glow x10000, we get:weirder result:if i add a simple post process actor to the scene, with default settingswith Color {1 , 0.04, 0}it flickerswith Color {1 , 0.04, 004}it flickers too i tried:DX11: the post-process bug is gone, but the emissive with pure color is still theredesactivating AA, exposure.updating GFX driverstinkering ar random with all parameters in the post-processnothing works.whats happening?thanks

A number of universities, nonprofits, philanthropic groups, and professional building organizations have lost substantial amounts of funding, at least for now. The cuts were announced by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, by directive of Elon Musks Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE). In the slashes to government spending, Zeldin has taken aim at a 2023 decision by the Biden Administration which mandated the EPA allocate $2 billion in grants that would, in turn, support sustainability initiatives, DEI, natural disaster relief, and environmental justice work. Cancelled funding was previously allocated for minority communities that experience high levels of pollution and systemic disinvestment. A $1 million grant that got cancelled was supposed to bolster shoreline resiliency and ensure a just transition in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Red Hook and Sunset Park. Zeldin also pulled funding away from wildfire prevention.Environmental research groups now deprived of federal funding include Vermonts Institute for Sustainable Communities, Louisianas Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Marylands American Center for Life Cycle Assessment, the International Code Council (ICC), Portland Cement Association, American Wood Council, Hemp Building Institute, and others.Impacted higher education institutions include Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Washington, Oklahoma State University, University of California at Davis, University of Massachusetts at Lowell, West Virginia University, University of Texas at Austin, and others. Follow the LawCumulatively, Zeldin canceled over 400 grants with the assistance of DOGE, the EPA said, allegedly saving U.S. taxpayers $1.7 billion. (A spreadsheet listing the grants targeted for termination can be accessed here.) This came not long after the Trump administration announced plans to shutter the EPAs Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJ-ECR).Democrats from the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) addressed a letter to Zeldin, dated March 25, expressing opposition, asking how the agency will combat pollution specifically in marginalized communities. The nine Senators who signed the letter include: Sheldon Whitehouse, Lisa Blunt Rochester, Bernie Sanders, Jeff Merkley, Ed Markey, Mark Kelly, Alex Padilla, Adam Schiff, and Angela Alsobrooks. The Senate Democrat leaders called Zeldins sweeping cuts illegal.EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at a recent round table (usepagov/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)The terminations, Democrats said, violate a number of court orders. The Senators accused Zeldin of delivering for the fossil fuel industry. In a joint statement, the nine Democrat Senators said:According to documents obtained exclusively by Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Democratic Staff, including a list produced by your office of roughly 400 grants targeted for termination, you pursued these terminations in knowing violation of the Terms and Conditions clauses of EPAs contracts, which stipulate conditions under which a grant can be terminated. We call on you to follow the law, cease and desist implementation of EO 14151, rescind the grant terminations, and provide information on EPAs decision-making process concerning the grant terminations and wider closure of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. []EPAs grant terminations were made knowing that they violate EPAs own contracts. According to information obtained exclusively by EPW Democratic Staff, termination notices sent by EPA to grantees knowingly and deceptively cited contract language that was not actually in many of the contracts in an effort to shift the burden to grantees to challenge your illegal terminations in the courts.In its letter, the EPW has called upon Zeldinto follow the law, cease and desist implementation of EO 14151, rescind the grant terminations, and provide information on EPAs decision-making process concerning the grant terminations and wider closure of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.The Democratic Senators likewise demanded that Zeldin respond to their requests for information and documents no later than March 31.

Built adjacent to and two years after the construction of the Essex County Jail in historic Salem, Massachusetts, this 1813 brick Federal style house was originally the jailkeepers residence. It has been speculated that the house was built by Samuel Field Mclntire (1780-1819), son of preeminent Salem carver and master carpenter, Samuel Mclntire, although there is no conclusive evidence. The house displays a 5 x 2-bay massing and is capped by a hip roof with three, large brick chimneys and a center entry with elliptical fan light transom, sidelights, and shallow portico. The jail was in operation until 1991, and at that time was considered the oldest active penitentiary in the United States. Years prior, in 1984, several detainees had successfully sued the county for inadequate living conditions, leading to the closure of the building. A preservation restriction was established for the building and in 2009, the property was conveyed to a developer who converted the complex into 23 apartments, with 19 in the old jail, three in the old jail keepers residence, and one in a converted carriage house. The great preservation/adaptive reuse firm of Finegold Alexander Architects furnished the plans for the successful renovation that provided a new life for a once crumbling eyesore.

Sikov - stock.adobe.comNewsAdvanced Software fined 3m over LockBit attackThe ICO has issued a 3m fine to software provider Advanced in the wake of security failings that led to significant disruption to NHS customers in a ransomware attackByAlex Scroxton,Security EditorPublished: 27 Mar 2025 0:01 The UKs Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has today fined Advanced Computer Software Group now known as OneAdvanced 3.07m for cyber security failings that exacerbated the impact of a LockBit ransomware attack against the organisation.The cyber attack, which occurred in August 2022, saw services provided by Advanced customers including the NHS and other healthcare providers extensively disrupted when they lost access to its Adastra clinical patient management platform.One of the bodies that relied on Adastra at the time was the frontline 111 service. Other parts of the health service affected included ambulance dispatch, emergency prescriptions, out-of-hours patient services, and referrals.The ICO said the attack, which began through a customer account that did not have multifactor authentication (MFA) enabled, saw the data of 79,404 people stolen. Among this data were details of how to gain access to the properties of 890 individuals who were receiving care at home.The regulator concluded that Advanceds health and care subsidiary did not have appropriate technical and organisational measures in place to guarantee the security of its IT systems, highlighting gaps not just in MFA, but also in vulnerability scanning and patch management.The security measures of Advanceds subsidiary fell seriously short of what we would expect from an organisation processing such a large volume of sensitive information. While Advanced had installed multifactor authentication across many of its systems, the lack of complete coverage meant hackers could gain access, putting thousands of peoples sensitive personal information at risk, said information commissioner John Edwards.People should never have to think twice about whether their medical records are in safe hands. To use services with confidence, they must be able to trust that every organisation coming into contact with their personal information whether thats using it, sharing it or storing it on behalf of others is meeting its legal obligations to protect it, added Edwards. I urge all organisations to ensure that every external connection is secured with MFA today to protect the public and their personal information there is no excuse for leaving any part of your system vulnerable John Edwards, information commissioner With cyber incidents increasing across all sectors, my decision today is a stark reminder that organisations risk becoming the next target without robust security measures in place. I urge all organisations to ensure that every external connection is secured with MFA today to protect the public and their personal information there is no excuse for leaving any part of your system vulnerable, he said.The fine which is about half the amount initially proposed marks a first for the ICO, as it has never before levied such a penalty on a data processor under UK data protection law.Its significant reduction is the result of a number of factors, including representations made by Advanced on the progress it has made, and the organisations proactive engagement throughout the incident, which included full cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the National Crime Agency (NCA), and the NHS.The ICO and Advanced have now reached a voluntary settlement, by which Advanced acknowledges the decision to reduce the fine and will pay a final settlement without appeal.Edwards said this settlement was welcome and provided regulatory certainty without needing to incur more costs and delays associated with an appeal.The ICO warned others that they must take more proactive steps to assess and mitigate the well-known risk factors that enable ransomware gangs like LockBit to operate their criminal enterprises with ease. These include implementing MFA by default and without exception, and doing more work to assess vulnerabilities and fix them in a more timely manner.An Advanced spokesperson said: What happened over two-and-a-half years ago is wholly regrettable. With threat actors operating with increasing sophistication, it is upon all businesses to ensure their cyber posture is continually strengthened. Cyber security remains a primary investment across our business, and we have learned a great deal as an organisation since this attack.We reported the incident to the ICO in August 2022 and are pleased to see this matter concluded. Our focus remains steadfast on supporting our customers as they navigate the rapidly evolving technology landscape, ensuring they achieve their strategic growth and operational efficiency goals.Read more about ransomwareThis key member of the Black Basta ransomware gang is wanted by the US justice system. He narrowly escaped extradition at the end of June 2024,with the help of highly-placed contacts in Moscow.Several factors, including the impact of law enforcement operations disrupting cyber criminal gangs and better preparedness among users, may be behind a significant drop inthe total value of ransomware payments.The criminal ransomware fraternity was hard at work over the festive period, with attack volumes rising and a new threat actoremerging on the scene.In The Current Issue:Can a future digital NHS survive another change?Digital twins drive efficiency across machines and infrastructureDownload Current IssueCurve banking app on Amazfit Inspect-a-GadgetWhat to expect from Qlik Connect 2025 CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

We're coming up on day three of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, and there are plenty of discounts on TVs from brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, and more. Whether you're looking for a high-end OLED model for a home theater upgrade or a budget-friendly option for a second screen in your garage or bedroom, you'll be able to find a wide variety of TVs on sale. But not all deals are created equal, and lots of these "deals" have been running for weeks. Thankfully, we've kept an eye on the ones worth talking about.Also: The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals live nowSo, if you want to compare prices, retailers like Walmart and Best Buy and even brands like Samsung offer competing sales and discounts on hundreds of TV models. With patience and a sharp eye, you could save hundreds on a great new TV. To help you narrow down your choices, I've curated a handpicked list of the best TV deals I could find at Amazon as well as competing retailers like Best Buy and Walmart so you can find the very best discounts.Shop at AmazonBest TV deals for Amazon Spring Sale 2025Samsung Q60D 55-inch: $500 (save $300): The Q60D is a great mid-range option featuring object-tracking sound and a Pantone Validated dual LED panel for better color accuracy.Hisense U8N 85-inch: $1,700 (save $1,100): Hisense's flagship model at its largest screen size, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR support.Sony X77L 85-inch: $1,000 (save $500): This Sony LED TV offers a 60Hz refresh rate, built-in voice controls, and exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5.Amazon Fire TV 4 Series 55-inch: $310 (save $210): A budget-friendly option from Amazon with built-in voice controls, 4K resolution, and HDR 10 support.Samsung S95D 77-inch OLED: $3,000 (save $1,400): Samsung's OLED TV gives you signature picture quality, object-tracking sound, Dolby Atmos support, and cloud gaming support.Hisense QD7 85-inch: $800 (save $300): This mid-range QLED TV from Hisense offers a 144Hz refresh rate, built-in voice controls, and a dedicated picture mode for gaming.Amazon Fire TV Stick 3rd Gen: $20 (save $20): Amazon's basic streaming stick offers 1080p resolution and supports thousands of streaming apps to turn your TV into the ultimate entertainment hub. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $500Original price: $800Samsung's mid-range TV offers object-tracking sound, HDR10, a dedicated gaming hub, and built-in voice controls. Show more View now at Amazon Hisense/ZDNET Current price: $1,700Original price: $2,800A high-end Mini-LED TV from Hisense that offers Dolby Vision IQ HDR, Dolby Atmos, a 144Hz refresh rate, and built-in voice controls. Show more View now at Amazon Sony/ZDNet Current price: $998Original price: $1,498One of Sony's mid-range big-screen TVs with a 60Hz refresh rate, built-in voice controls, and exclusive VRR support for gaming with the PlayStation 5. Show more View now at Amazon Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $3,000Original price: $4,400Samsung's flagship OLED TV offers both Dolby Atmos and object-tracking sound, built-in voice controls, and a 144Hz refresh rate. Show more View now at Amazon More Amazon Spring Sale 2025 TV deals Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung DU8000 75-inch: $700 (save $200): A budget-friendly big-screen TV with object-tracking sound and cloud gaming support.Samsung DU9000 98-inch: $2,000 (save $500): One of the largest TVs on the market offers a 120Hz refresh rate, object-tracking sound, and a dedicated gaming dashboard.TCL QM85 75-inch: $1,990 (save $610): The TCL QM85is one of our favorite TVs with its razor-sharp picture quality, 144Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support.Amazon Fire TV 2-Series 40-inch: $180 (save $70): A great TV for streaming that uses the Fire TV platform for access to thousands of shows and movies in the Prime Video library as well as many other streaming apps to turn your living room into the ultimate entertainment space.Insignia F30 50-inch: $190 (save $110): A great, budget-friendly option with the Fire TV platform, built-in Alexa voice controls, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 4K resolution.Amazon Fire TV Cube: $110 (save $30): This version of the Fire TV streaming device has a built-in smart speaker for hands-free voice controls and integrating Alexa Skills into your home theater. Hisense/ZDNET Current price:Regular price:PLACEHOLDER Show more More Amazon Spring Sale OLED TV deals Samsung/ZDNETSamsung S85D OLED 55-inch: $1,100 (save $600): Samsung's entry-level OLED offers signature picture quality, object-tracking sound, and a 120Hz refresh rate.Panasonic X85 Series 65-inch: $1,100 (save $700): A mid-range OLED with Dolby Vision IQ HDR, a 120Hz refresh rate, and support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for console gaming.Samsung S90D OLED 55-inch: $1,200 (save $600): Samsung's flagship OLED TV offers excellent picture and audio quality as well as a 120Hz refresh rate, and object-tracking sound.LG C3 OLED TV 42-inch: $840 (save $360): Last year's flagship OLED for LG is still a great pick with a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, and support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for console gaming.LG G4 OLED TV 77-inch: $2,900 (save $1,700): LG's flagship OLED offers a gallery-inspired design, dedicated filmmaker picture mode for streaming movies, and Bluetooth connectivity for a wireless home theater setup. Sony/ZDNet Current price: $4,000Regular price: $5,000A previous iteration of Sony's flagship OLED TV that still offers excellent picture and audio quality with Dolby Vision and Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology as well as exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5 and a 120Hz refresh rate. Show more More Amazon Spring Sale TV deals under $1,000 TCL/ZDNetHisesne A6 85-inch: $800 (save $200): A budget-friendly big-screen TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, DTS Studio Sound, and the Roku TV platform for access to thousands of streaming apps.TCL Q65 75-inch: $548 (save $200): An excellent big-screen TV that's easy on the budget with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, built-in voice controls, and VRR support for console gaming.TCL QM6K 65-inch: $799 (save $200): An update to TCL's flagship TV with a QD-Mini LED panel for better color accuracy and contrast as well as Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, and up to a 288Hz refresh rate for console gaming.Hisense S7N CanvasTV 55-inch: $770 (save $230): A gallery-inspired TV with a 144Hz refresh rate, dedicated art mode, and an anti-glare screen for better visibility.LG QNED85T 50-inch: $597 (save $250): A mid-range LED TV with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, AMD FreeSync VRR, and cloud gaming support. Roku/ZDNET Current price: $598Regular price: $900Roku's flagship streaming TV gives you access to thousands of apps for movies, shows, music, and more to turn your home theater into the ultimate entertainment hub. It's built with a QLED panel for bold colors and contrast and supports Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Show more More Amazon Spring Sale TV deals under $500 Hisense/ZDNETTCL Q65 65-inch: $400 (save $150): A budget-friendly TV with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, built-in voice controls, and 60Hz refresh rate.Insignia F50 65-inch: $300 (save $150): A great budget-friendly TV that uses the Fire TV platform to give you access to thousands of streaming apps for movies, shows, music, and more.Hisense A7 50-inch: $240 (save $60): This model offers both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, built-in voice controls, an automatic game mode with VRR support, and the Fire TV platform for access to thousands of movies, shows, and streaming apps.Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 50-inch: $360 (save $110): An excellent TV for streaming shows, movies, and music with the Fire TV platform, built-in Alexa voice controls, and a great picture.Hisense U6G 65-inch: $450 (save $200): A budget-friendly TV with Dolby Vision HDR, DTS audio, and built-in voice controls via Amazon Alexa. LG/ZDNET Current price: $325Regular price: $430A budget-friendly LED TV in a great screen size for most spaces that offers a 60Hz refresh rate, cloud gaming support, and Bluetooth connectivity. Show more More Amazon Spring Sale 65-inch TV deals LG/ZDNETRoku Pro Series 65-inch: $800 (save $400): Roku's flagship TV is built around its streaming platform and features Dolby Vision IQ, a 120Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync VRR support for console gaming.Sony Bravia 9 65-inch: $2,500 (save $500): Sony's flagship Mini-LED TV offers Dolby Vision HDR, exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5, and a 120Hz refresh rate. (Low stock)Hisense U6N 65-inch: $498 (save $235): A mid-range TV in one of the most popular sizes with a 60Hz refresh rate, support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and dedicated game mode with VRR support.Sony Bravia 7 QLED 65-inch: $1,200 (save $700): This high-end QLED TV offers Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, an IMAX Enhanced mode for streaming movies, and exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5. TCL/ZDNet Current price: $1,200Regular price: $1,500An updated version of TCL's flagship QLED TV with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, up to a 288Hz refresh rate, built-in voice controls, and integrated Bang & Olufsen speakers for enhanced audio quality. Show more View now at Amazon More Amazon Spring Sale 85-inch TV deals TCL/ZDNetSamsung DU7200 85-inch: $800 (save $300): A budget-friendly big-screen TV with great picture and sound quality, and enhanced security via the Samsung Knox chip.Sony X93L 85-inch: $3,798 (save $701): An excellent big-screen TV from Sony with the brand's Acoustic Multi-Audio technology and Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound as well as built-in voice controls and a 120Hz refresh rate.TCL QM6K 85-inch: $1,500 (save $400): TCL's flagship QD-Mini LED TV offers Dolby Vision IQ HDR, Dolby Atmos, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 500 local dimming zones for enhanced contrast.Hisense U7N 85-inch: $1,300 (save $900): A high-end QLED TV with a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, and an Imax Enhanced picture mode for movie buffs.Samsung QN85D 85-inch: $1,800 (save $400): Samsung's flagship QLED TV offers Dolby Atmos and object-tracking sound, built-in voice controls, and cloud gaming support. (Low stock)Sony Bravia X90L 85-inch: $1,598 (save $400): Sony's mid-range LED TV offers Dolby Vision HDR, Sony's Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, an IMAX Enhanced picture mode for streaming movies, and exclusive VRR support for gaming on the PlayStation 5. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $1,200Regular price: $1,700Samsung's entry-level QLED TV offers object-tracking sound, a 60Hz refresh rate, and a Pantone Validated dual LED panel for better color accuracy. Show more More Samsung TV deals Samsung/ZDNETSamsung QE1D 85-inch: $1,180 (save $1,620): A Samsung store-exclusive big-screen TV with object-tracking sound, a Pantone Validated screen for better color accuracy, and cloud gaming support.Samsung QN900D 65-inch: $3,500 (save $1,500): Samsung's 8K TV gives you four times the resolution of a 4K model, free TV with Samsung TV Plus, and object-tracking sound.Samsung QNX1D 55-inch: $850 (save $950): This Samsung store-exclusive TV offers Dolby Atmos and object-tracking sound, HDR brightness optimizer, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR for console gaming. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $2,500Regular price: $4,300A high-end, gallery-inspired TV with dedicated art mode, Dolby Atmos audio support, anti-reflection matte screen, and customizable frame. Show more More TV deals at Best Buy Sony/ZDNetLG C4 OLED 65-inch: $1,400 (save $300): An excellent OLED TV with support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision as well as Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR for console gaming.Samsung S90D OLED 65-inch: $1,400 (save $300): Samsung's flagship OLED features a Pantone Validated screen for better color accuracy and signature OLED picture quality.TCL Q6 98-inch: $1,500 (save $1,500): One of the largest screens you can get from TCL and one of the most affordable for its size.Samsung DU6950 85-inch: $700 (save $400): A Best Buy-exclusive budget-friendly big-screen TV with built-in voice controls and a 60Hz refresh rate.Sony Bravia 8 OLED 65-inch: $1,600 (save $700): Sony's flagship OLED TV offers support for both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio as well as Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ for sound that follows the on-screen action.LG G4 OLED 77-inch: $3,000 (save $1,000): LG's premium-grade OLED TV has a gallery-inspired design, and supports AirPlay 2 and Chromecast.Insignia QF Series 65-inch: $350 (save $120): An entry-level LED TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and Alexa voice controls. Sony/ZDNet Current price: $2,000Regular price: $2,400Sony's flagship LED TV features exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5, a 120Hz refresh rate, and video call support with the Bravia Cam. Show more More TV deals at Walmart LG/ZDNETTCL S3 32-inch: $97 (save $10): An incredibly budget-friendly TV that's perfect as a second screen in your bedroom or kids' playroom with 720p resolution and the Roku TV platform for streaming.LG 70 Series 70-inch: $498 (save $150): A budget-friendly big-screen TV with a 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10 Pro support, and a preloaded suite of popular apps like Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+.Sony X85K 75-inch: $698 (save $600): A mid-range big-screen TV with built-in voice controls, a 120Hz refresh rate, and exclusive VRR support for the PlayStation 5. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $998Regular price: $1,198Samsung's entry-grade QLED TV still offers a Pantone Validated screen for better color accuracy as well as a dedicated gaming dashboard with cloud gaming support. Show more View now at Walmart FAQs When is Amazon's Spring Sale 2025?Amazon's Spring Sale started on March 25 will end on March 31. That gives you six days to snag great discounts on tech like TVs, sound bars, and more.Are TVs really cheaper during Amazon sales?They can be. Many brands will often mark down popular models and screen sizes during Amazon sales to help move inventory ahead of new releases. And if you're lucky, you may be able to find an older model at a steep discount or a combination of coupons that help you save even more on a new TV.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of TVs are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all TVs and discounts are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like Samsung, TCL, and Hisense, as well as TV models that I and other ZDNET experts have reviewed and had hands-on testing experience with. I also made sure that each TV featured on this list had plenty of features that customers have come to expect as standard, such as built-in voice controls, preloaded streaming apps, and enhanced HDR.What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals?ZDNET's experts are searching through Amazon's Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends. Show more Amazon Spring Sale 2025

We're going into day three of Amazon Big Spring Sale, and you can snag great discounts right now on everything from laptops and desktops to SSDs and headsets. Retailers like Best Buy and Walmart are running competing sale events, which means you can compare markdowns and prices to find the best deals and bundles.Also: The best Amazon Big Spring Sale deals live nowNot only can you find discounts on everything you need for PC gaming, but you can also find markdowns across Amazon for PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch games, console bundles, and accessories. And with new deals going live almost every hour, I've created a list of the best deals for gaming PCs, consoles, and accessories to help you find the right fit for your budget.See at AmazonBest gaming deals for Amazon Big Spring Sale 2025Logitech G Pro wireless gaming mouse: $70 (save $60): An excellent wireless gaming mouse with an ergonomic design, 25,600 DPI sensor, and compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Chrome.Sony InZone H9: $200 (save $100): The official wireless headset for the PS5 with 360-degree spatial sound, noise-canceling tech, and support for PC use.HyperX Alloy Origins 60: $53 (save $47): A compact, ten-keyless gaming keyboard with HyperX linear red switches, RGB backlighting, and Ngenuity software support.Asus TUF A17 gaming laptop: $1,179 (save $321): An excellent mid-range gaming laptop with a 17.3-inch display, 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 4060 graphics card, and AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor.Samsung T7 Shield 2TB portable SSD: $150 (save $135): Expand your game storage with this rugged 2TB portable SSD, with IP65 moisture and dust resistance, and protection against shocks and drops.Gigabyte Aorus 16X: $1,500 (save $450): A high-end gaming laptop with a 165Hz refresh rate, RTX 4070 GPU, and Intel Core i7-14650HZ processor. Asus/ZDNET Current price: $1,180Original price: $1,500A mid-range gaming laptop with a 17-inch display that supports a 144Hz refresh rate, and is built with an RTX 4060 graphics card, AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor, 1TB SSD, and 16GB of RAM. Show more View now at Amazon Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $150Original price: $285A rugged portable SSD with 2TB of storage and an IP65 rating for moisture and dust resistance to help protect your data from corruption and loss. Show more View now at Amazon Gigabyte/ZDNET Current price: $1,500Original price: $1,950A high-end gaming laptop with a 16-inch display that supports a 165Hz refresh rate and 2560 x 1600 resolution. The device is built with an Intel Core i7-14650HX CPU, RTX 4070 graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. Show more View now at Amazon Sony/PlayStation/ZDNET Current price: $200Original price: $300The official wireless headset for the PlayStation 5 features 360-degree spatial audio for better immersion and a noise-canceling microphone for clearer in-game chat. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale gaming CPU and GPU dealsAMD Ryzen 9 9900X: $370 (save $130): While this is an older AMD CPU, it still offers great performance with a 4.4GHz base clock speed that can be boosted to 5.6GHz, 12 cores, and 24 threads.Intel Core i7-14700KF: $295 (save $140): Upgrade your Intel-based gaming PC with this 14th-gen Intel Core processor, which sports 20 cores and is unlocked for overclocking up to 5.6GHz.AMD Ryzen 5 8500G: $143 (save $37): A mid-range gaming CPU with 6 cores, 12 threads, and a base clock speed of 3.5GHz that can be boosted to 5.0GHz. ASRock/ZDNET Current price: $260Regular price: $390A great mid-range AMD graphics card with 8GB of VRAM, 2320MHz clock speed, and triple cooling fans. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2020 gaming accessories deals HyperX/ZDNETHyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless: $143 (save $57): TheCloud Alpha Wirelessis one of my favorite gaming headsets with a 300-hour battery life, DTS Headphone:X spatial audio support, and a noise-canceling mic.Logitech G X52 Pro USB flight control system: $160 (save $70): A starter pair of joysticks for flight sim enthusiasts and beginners.Razer Viper V2 Pro HyperSpeed wireless: $85 (save $65): An excellent wireless gaming mouse with a 30K DPI sensor, 90-hour battery life, and 5 programmable buttons.SteelSeires Aerox 3 wireless: $60 (save $40): A great wireless gaming mouse with an 18K DPI sensor, ultra-lightweight design, and IP54 moisture and dust resistance.Corsair Void RGB Elite wireless: $70 (save $40): A high-end wireless gaming headset with 7.1CH surround sound, 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, and integrated microphone.Corsair HS80 RGB wireless: $100 (save $50): A premium wireless gaming headset with an integrated, broadcast-quality microphone, Dolby Atmos support, and iCUE support for custom RGB lighting. Razer/ZDNET Current price: $110Regular price: $150A high-quality wireless gaming mouse with a 90-hour battery life, 30K DPI optical sensor, 5 programmable buttons, and a total weight of just 63 grams. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2025 gaming laptop deals HP/ZDNETAlienware M18 R2 laptop: $4,080 (save $720): Dell's flagship Alienware gaming laptop has an 18-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate, 14th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, RTX 4090 GPU, and 8TB SSD.Acer Nitro 16: $730 (save $270): An entry-level gaming laptop with an AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS processor, RTX 4050 graphics card, and a 16-inch display that supports up to a 165Hz refresh rate.Lenovo Legion 5i: $1,400 (save $200): A mid-range gaming laptop with a 14th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, RTX 4070 graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. Acer/ZDNET Current price: $1,150Regular price: $1,500A creator-grade gaming laptop with a 14-inch OLED display, Intel Ultra Core 7 155H CPU, RTX 4060 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2025 gaming desktop deals MSI/ZDNETMSI Aegis Z2: $1,050 (save $200): A mid-range gaming desktop built with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU, RTX 4060, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.Asus ROG G13CH: $1,100 (save $200): A mid-range Intel based gaming PC with a 14th gen Intel Core i7 processor, RTX 4060 Dual GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.HP Pavilion Tower: $568 (save $100): An entry-level gaming desktop with an 11th gen Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GT 610 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.MSI Aegis RS2: $1,800 (save $350): A high-end gaming rig with a 14th gen Intel Core i7 CPU, RTX 4070 Super GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD. Corsair/ZDNET Current price: $2,200Regular price: $2,500A creator-grade gaming desktop built with an Intel Core i7-14700KF processor, Nvidia RTX 4070 Super graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2025 PlayStation 5 deals Sony/PlayStation/ZDNETMadden NFL 25: $30 (save $40): The latest entry in the long-running Madden NFL franchise with updated team rosters and streamlined controls.Star Wars Outlaws Amazon Exclusive Limited Edition: $46 (save $24): This Amazon-exclusive version of the game includes character cosmetics for Kay and Nix. (Low stock)Sony InZone H3 wired headset: $60 (save $40): Sony's officially licensed gaming headset for the PS5 with 360-degree spatial audio, Discord-certified microphone, and 3.5mm audio connection.Razer Kaira HyperSpeed wireless: $87 (save $43): A wireless gaming headset for use with the PS5 featuring a 30-hour battery life, Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity, and attached microphone.Hori PS5 Fighting Stick Alpha: $138 (save $60): A pro-grade, arcade-style controller for fighting game competitors and serious hobbyists.Assassin's Creed Mirage Deluxe Edition: $27 (save $33): A return to form for the Assassin's Creed franchise that has players journey to Alamut, the home of the Assassins to uncover mysteries and take down the Templars.Persona 3 Reload: $35 (save $35): A remake of the fan-favorite Persona 3 with modern visuals and updated gameplay mechanics.God of War: Ragnarok Standard Edition: $43 (save $27): Kratos and Atreus return to join old friends and gather new allies as they work to stop the gods from starting a war that will end the world.Demons Souls: $40 (save $30): A remake of the classic Demons Souls game with updated visuals and modern mechanics. Sony/ZDNet Current price: $128Regular price: $150Sony's official mid-range wireless headset for the PlayStation 5 offers both 2.4GHz wireless connectivity and 3.5mm AUX, a 28-hour battery, and 360-degree spatial audio. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2025 Nintendo Switch deals Nintendo/ZDNETPower A enhanced Nintendo Switch controller wireless: $35 (save $25): A pro-style gamepad for the Nintendo Switch with up to a 30-hour battery life and remappable inputs.Sonic X Shadow Generations: $35 (save $15): Modern and Classic Sonic team up with Shadow the Hedgehog to take on Dr. Eggman and the Time Eater.Star Wars Heritage Pack: $45 (save $15): This bundle includes seven classic Star Wars game titles, including Republic Commando and Knights of the Old Republic.The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom: $53 (save $18): Link returns to Hyrule with new abilities and allies to take on Ganon.Epic Mickey Rebrushed: $32 (save $29): A remaster of the classic Epic Mickey game with new abilities and refreshed visuals.Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: $50 (save $10): The ever-popular kart racing game lets you take on friends in local or online matches or test your skill against several race modes. Nintendo/ZDNET Current price: $60Regular price: $47Play as Princess Zelda as she embarks on a journey across Hyrule to save Link and the kingdom from the evil of Ganon. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale 2025 Xbox Series X|S deals Microsoft/Xbox/ZDNETTurtle Beach Stealth Ultra wireless controller: $170 (save $30): A pro-grade wireless gamepad for the Xbox Series X|S with a 30-hour battery and remappable inputs.Power A wireless controller: $80 (save $20): A Fortnite-themed wireless gamepad for the Xbox Series X|S with a 30-hour battery and 3-way trigger locks.Metaphor ReFantazio Launch Edition: $45 (save $25): A turn-based RPG from the developers behind the popular Persona series. Microsoft/Deep Silver/ZDNET Current price: $40Regular price: $70Choose from one of 6 characters to fight your way through the streets of HELL-A in this zombie melee sandbox. The ultimate edition includes the base game, Haus and SoLA expansions, 6 character packs, weapons packs, and other exclusive in-game cosmetics. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale SSD and storage deals Samsung/ZDNETCrucial T500 1TB Gen 4 NVMe M.2 SSD: $80 (save $75): Instantly add 1TB of storage to your PS5 with this internal SSD. The drive also features an integrated heatsink to help keep your console running at optimal temperatures.WD_Black 8TB SN850P M.2 SSD: $660 (save $360): Instantly add 8TB of storage to your PS5 with this officially licensed SSD.Samsung 990 Pro 2TB with heatsink: $180 (save $90): This 2TB internal SSD features an integrated heatsink to help keep the drive running at optimal temperatures.Samsung 990 Evo Plus 4TB M.2 SSD: $250 (save $95): This internal SSD gives you read and write speeds up to 7250MB/s and is great for desktops, laptops, and consoles.Samsung Pro Plus microSD 512GB: $40 (save $35): This microSD card includes a full-sized adapter and is perfect for expanding storage on your gaming smartphone or Nintendo Switch.Kingston Fury Renegade 4TB M.2 SSD: $280 (save $104): An excellent choice for expanding your desktop, laptop, or PlayStation 5 storage with 4TB of space and read/write speeds up to 7300MB/s.Samsung 870 Evo SATA III 1TB SSD: $97 (save $50): A budget-friendly SATA SSD with 1TB of storage, making it perfect for smaller game libraries.SanDisk Extreme 4TB portable SSD: $250 (save $110): A ruggedized portable SSD with 4TB of storage and an IP65 rating for water, dust, and shock resistance.Lexar Play 1TB microSDXC: $64 (save $66): An officially licensed microSDXC card for the Nintendo Switch with 1TB of storage and read and write speeds up to 160 and 100 MB/s, respectively.SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB SSD flashdrive: $90 (save $55): Get the speed and reliability of an SSD with the portability of a flash drive with this 1TB option.Crucial X10 Pro 2TB portable SSD: $145 (save $65): This portable SSD is compatible with PC, PS5, and Xbox consoles to help you back up your entire game library. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $180Regular price: $300A tough portable SSD with an integrated thermal guard, AES 256-bit encryption, and a case that can handle drops up to 10 feet. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale gaming monitor deals Acer/ZDNETAlienware AW3423DW 34-inch curved monitor: $700 (save $400): This curved gaming monitor uses a QD-OLED panel for better color accuracy and contrast as well as 1440p resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, and 0.1ms response time.Acer Predator X27U 27-inch: $500 (save $500): This high-end gaming monitor is built with an OLED panel for better color and contrast and up to a 240Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium VRR support, and a 0.01ms response time.Samsung Odyssey G6 curved 32-inch: $400 (save $400): A mid-range gaming monitor with a 32-inch display, 1440p resolution, and 240Hz refresh rate.Samsung Odyssey Ark 2nd gen 55-inch: $1,800 (save $900): A truly impressive 55-inch Mini-LED gaming monitor with a 165Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time, HDR10+, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR support.LG UltraGear 34-inch curved gaming monitor: $260 (save $140): This widescreen gaming monitor gives you a 160Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.Samsung Odyssey G5 32-inch curved monitor: $200 (save $130): A great mid-range gaming monitor with a 1ms reponse time, HDR10 support, 165Hz refresh rate, and AMD FreeSync VRR.LG UltraGear 27-inch: $180 (save $120): A budget-friendly gaming monitor with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync VRR support, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support, and a 1ms response time.LG UltraGear OLED 54-inch curved gaming monitor: $1,050 (save $650): A high-end OLED gaming monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate. 0.03ms response time, and support for both AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync VRR.Corsair Xenon OLED 27-inch: $750 (save $250): This OLED gaming monitor supports both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR as well as HDR10 for enhanced contrast. The 27-inch display produces up to 1440p resolution, a 240Hz refresh rate, and 0.03ms refresh rate.Acer Predator X32 OLED 32-inch: $900 (save $300): This high-end gaming monitor uses an OLED panel for better contrast, detailing, and color accuracy. You'll get 4K resolution, a 250Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR support.Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 34-inch curved gaming monitor: $780 (save $420): A premium OLED gaming monitor with 1440p resolution, a 175Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync VRR support, and 0.03ms response time. Samsung/ZDNET Current price: $950Regular price: $1,600A high-end ultrawide OLED gaming monitor with 1440p resolution, HDR support, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, and both HDMI and DisplayPort connectivity. Show more View now at Amazon Amazon Spring Sale deals on streaming gear Razer/ZDNETHyperX QuadCast S: $90 (save $70): A great USB microphone offering plug-and-play compatibility with PC and Mac for Discord, in-game chat, and content creation.Razer Seiren V3 Chroma: $90 (save $40): A USB-powered microphone with RGB lighting, built-in shock absorber, and compatibility with Discord, OBS, and XSplit.Logitech G Yeti Studio: $230 (save $120): A high-end XLR microphone with a built-in preamp, dual-diaphragm capsule, and internal shock mount.Razer Kiyo: $46 (save $54): This USB webcam features an integrated ring light as well as up to 60FPS output and 1080p resolution.Elgato Stream Deck Neo: $80 (save $20): A redesign of the Stream Deck featuring 8 customizable keys, 2 touch points, and compatibility with both Windows and Mac.Logitech Litra Glow: $41 (save $19): A budget-friendly lighting option for streamers and content creators with plug-and-play compatibility.Logitech StreamCam: $145 (save $35): A premium webcam with 1080p capture and 60FPS output as well as support for both Windows and Mac.Logitech Brio: $126 (save $74): A premium 4K webcam with HDR support and three field-of-view settings. Logitech/ZDNET Current price: $90Regular price: $130One of the most popular choices for streamers of all varieties with USB power, 4 polar patterns, and plug-and-play compatibility with PC and Mac. Show more View now at Amazon More gaming deals at Best BuyMSI Stealth 18 AI: $2,500 (save $800): A creator-grade gaming laptop built with an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, RTX 4080 GPU, 1TB SSD, and 32GB of RAM.HP Victus 16: $900 (save $600): A mid-range gaming laptop built with an AMD Ryzen 7-8845HS processor, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and an RTX 4070 graphics card.Acer Nitro 27 gaming monitor: $170 (save $180): An entry-level gaming monitor with a 180Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync VRR support, and HDR 10.LG UltraGear OLED 39-inch curved monitor: $1,000 (save $500): A high-end, ultrawide gaming monitor built with an OLED panel for exceptional picture quality, detailing, and color accuracy.Samsung Odyssey QD-OLED G9 49-inch monitor: $1,100 (save $700): Samsung's high-end OLED gaming monitor features a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time.Seagate Expansion 14TB external HDD: $200 (save $120): Back up your entire game library and have plenty of space left over for new titles with large download files.Life is Strange: Double Exposure for Nintendo Switch: $35 (save $15): Max Caulfield returns with new time-bending powers to help solve the mystery of her best friend's murder. Thrustmaster/ZDNET Current price: $300Regular price: $400Get enhanced control over your in-game vehicles with this realistic racing wheel and pedal controller. Show more View now at Best Buy More gaming deals at WalmartLuigi's Mansion 3: $50 (save $12): The third entry in the Luigi's Mansion series has players join with Professor E. Gadd once again to explore and restore the Last Resort Hotel.Batman Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch: $30 (save $30): This bundle includes all three Arkham Batman games plus all available DLC.Super Mario RPG: $37 (save $23): A remastered version of the SNES classic has players teaming up with Mario's allies and rivals to repair the Star Road.Nintendo Switch Pro controller: $55 (save $15) A pro-grade wireless gamepad for the Nintendo Switch that makes platforming and first-person shooter games easier to control.PlayStation 5 digital console slim + Astro Bot: $414 (save $95): This bundle includes the digital-only version of the PS5 console and a digital download code for Astro Bot.MSI Thin 15: $646 (save $192): An entry-level gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 3050 graphics card, and 512GB SSD. Acer/ZDNET Current price: $749Regular price: $1,000A budget-friendly gaming laptop with a 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 4050 GPU, and a 12th gen Intel Core i5 CPU. Show more View now at Walmart FAQs When is Amazon's Spring Sale 2025?Amazon's Spring Sale runs through March 31. This gives you almost an entire week to snag deep discounts on everything from SSDs and gaming laptops to digital game titles and headsets.Are games, consoles, and gaming accessories really cheaper during Amazon sales?They can be. While we usually see the best discounts on all things gaming during the winter holidays, Amazon's Spring Sale and competing events at retailers like Best Buy and Walmart mean you can compare prices and discounts to get the best deals.How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?While plenty of gaming laptops and accessories are discounted for the Amazon Spring Sale, not all sales are created equal. I focused on reputable brands like PowerA, SteelSeries, HyperX, and more to find the best value in accessories and peripherals. I also focused on top brands like HP, MSI, and Asus for gaming laptops and desktops with higher-end builds to help you find the best configurations for the best prices.What are the best Amazon Spring Sale 2025 deals? ZDNET's experts are searching through Amazon Spring Sale deals to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:You can also find the best Amazon Spring Sale deals by price:And the best deals from other retailers this week:Best anti-Amazon Spring Sale dealsLooking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites withZDNET Recommends. Show more Amazon Spring Sale 2025

Toxic Positivity in Workplace CulturegettyA surprising number of leaders are unaware of toxic positivity, even as they unwittingly cultivate it. Its understandable, but toxic positivity isn't just a cultural nuisance it's a serious strategic liability. When organizations prioritize "feeling good" over honest communication, they lose the ability to address emerging problems, identify market shifts, and leverage their teams' full capabilities.In my experience coaching executives across industries, I've observed that the most successful organizations aren't those with the fewest problems they're the ones where issues can be safely identified and addressed before they become crises.The real damage of toxic positivity isn't just the immediate cost of bad decisions it's the long-term suppression of the organization's immune system. When employees learn that raising concerns leads to being labeled negative or not a "team player," they stop speaking up. Critical information stops flowing upward, leadership becomes increasingly isolated from reality, and the gap between perception and reality grows.The Many Faces of Organizational SilenceToxic positivity isn't just about being excessively cheerful. It's a systematic approach to workplace culture that prioritizes maintaining a positive appearance over addressing difficult realities. It suppresses negative emotions and feedback, regardless of their validity or importance, and creates an environment where employees feel they must constantly project happiness and enthusiasm, even when confronting serious challenges.These cultural norms often develop as a result of the behaviors of those in senior leadership. In my coaching sessions with executives, I often hear leaders express frustration with employees who "just complain" or "dont have solutions." What these leaders fail to recognize is that this framing effectively shuts down critical conversations. When staff members must package every concern with a neat solution or risk being labeled as "negative," many choose silence instead. In these environments, problems that could be addressed tend to fester and can even lead to systemic failures.This dynamic plays out differently across various organizational contexts, but the patterns are remarkably consistent.In cultural institutions, toxic positivity often manifests as enforced harmony. Museums and similar organizations, despite their progressive public images, frequently operate under traditional hierarchical structures with rigid collection management protocols. In these environments, surface-level collegiality masks unaddressed issues and unrest. We've witnessed a rush of awareness in recent years as museum employees began organizing and publicly calling out their employers on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. These institutions didn't recognize the warning signs until their workplace cultures were already in crisis. The takeaway is clear: creating genuine cultural change requires making space for uncomfortable truths before they explode into public view.Another common bastion of toxic positivity lies in performance feedback processes. Many organizations have elaborate feedback systems that create the illusion of open communication while actually reinforcing the status quo. A company may pride itself on its "comprehensive feedback culture," while inadvertently stifling meaningful feedback. Managers may be instructed to "reframe negative feedback" before passing it up the chain. When this happens, real concerns are relegated to private conversations that never reach decision-makers, who are starved of actionable information.Perhaps most perniciously, toxic positivity undermines innovation while claiming to support it. Organizations frequently establish innovation initiatives, idea labs, and creativity campaigns but simultaneously punish the questioning of established practices that true innovation requires. As Ive observed while coaching executives in entertainment and media companies, genuine creativity requires challenging assumptions and identifying problems worth solving. Its an iterative process that requires taking risks and a willingness to fail. Yet in toxic environments, employees quickly learn which types of "creativity" are rewarded typically safe, incremental improvements that don't disrupt existing power structures or challenge conventional wisdom.Better than Positive: AccountableTransforming a culture of toxic positivity into one of healthy transparency requires deliberate effort and leadership courage. Here's where to start:Create a structure for feedback while maintaining decision authority Encouraging candid communication does not mean leaders must address every concern raised. Strong leaders create clear distinctions between hearing input and committing to action. This is particularly important when managing younger generations like Gen Z, who may bring workplace expectations that aren't always realistic or aligned with business objectives. The goal is to create channels where concerns can be voiced while maintaining clear boundaries about who makes final decisions.Separate information from emotion Help your team distinguish between the information being delivered and the emotional response it triggers. When someone raises a concern, train yourself and others first to ask: "What can we learn from this?" rather than reacting to the discomfort it causes. This simple shift normalizes constructive criticism and reduces defensiveness. However, this doesn't mean every issue raised deserves the same level of attention or resourcesleaders must still prioritize based on strategic importance.Institute formal mechanisms with clear parameters Institute formal mechanisms for challenging consensus and surfacing concerns, with explicit guidelines about leadership's decision-making authority. This might take the form of designated devil's advocates in key meetings, or regular "pre-mortem" exercises where teams imagine potential failures before they happen. Some organizations have found success with anonymous channels for raising concerns, though these should be transitional tools on the path to full transparency. The key is that these mechanisms should enhance, not diminish, leadership's ability to make informed decisions.Align recognition with constructive engagement Align recognition and reward systems with the behaviors you want to encourage. Explicitly recognize and reward instances of constructive dissent that led to better outcomesparticularly when employees raise issues in ways that acknowledge business realities and constraints. Share stories that celebrate how honest feedback prevented problems or sparked innovation while respecting leadership prerogatives.Model balanced leadership Show your employees that it's safe to disagree or make a mistake by starting with your own vulnerability, while also demonstrating decisive leadership. When you make a mistake, acknowledge it openly. When you don't know something, admit it. But also confidently explain your rationale when you decide not to act on feedback received. This demonstrates that while perfection isn't expected, leadership still holds ultimate decision-making authority. Your leadership style and reactions to setbacks reverberate throughout the organization.Distinguish productive concerns from unrealistic demands Establish explicit norms that distinguish between productive problem identification and unrealistic demands. The most effective organizations create cultures where employees understand that while they have a responsibility to raise legitimate issues, management retains the authority to determine which concerns warrant action and which do not. This balanced approach prevents both the silence of toxic positivity and the chaos of addressing every complaint regardless of merit.The Competitive Advantage of TruthAs organizations face increasing complexity and competitive pressure, hearing and responding to unfiltered reality becomes a crucial strategic advantage. Companies that create genuinely safe environments for honest communication will identify opportunities and threats faster, innovate more effectively, and build stronger, more resilient cultures.The real question for leaders isn't whether their organization has problemsit's whether they've created an environment where those problems can be safely identified and selectively addressed. In my experience, leaders who embrace this shift from positivity to candor often experience immediate relief. They discover that what they thought were dozens of separate issues were symptoms of a few core problems that, once named, could finally be solvedall while maintaining their decision-making authority.The paradox of organizational health is that truly positive cultures don't arise from mandating positivitythey emerge from creating safety for truth, even when that truth is temporarily uncomfortable. The organizations that will thrive in the coming decade will not be those with the fewest problems but those most capable of seeing, prioritizing, and strategically solving problems togetherwith leadership firmly at the helm.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Sir Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart attend the UK Premiere of "X-Men: ... More Days of Future Past" at Odeon Leicester Square on May 12, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWere still over a year away from the theatrical release of Avengers: Doomsday, but theres already some big news about the upcoming Russo Brothers film. The movies cast was revealed Wednesday and includes some big surprises, including a whole slate of X-Men stars from the 20th Century Fox films.These actors are joined by just a couple of the original Avengers, and one of those is in a brand new role. Robert Downey Jr. returns not as Iron Man, but as the villainous Doctor Doom, a casting choice that has left many fans perplexed. Admittedly, it will be . . . strange to adjust to Tony Stark not actually being Tony Stark. Even if he hadnt played Iron Man, its an odd casting choice for the Big Bad.The full cast includes:The Avengers (and friends)The AvengersCredit: DisneyChris Hemsworth as Thor, the only original Avenger in the movie.Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson / Captain America.Danny Ramirez as the Falcon.Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes / The Winter Soldier.Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-ManTom Hiddleston as Loki, the antagonist of the first Avengers film.Letitia Wright as Shuri / Black Panther.Winston Duke as MBaku.The Fantastic FourEbon Moss-Bachrach, Joseph Quinn, Pedro Pascal and Vanessa Kirby of Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic ... More Four" at the 2024 San Diego International Comic-Con on July 27, 2024 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)Variety via Getty ImagesPedro Pascal as Mr. FantasticVanessa Kirby as Invisible WomanJoseph Quinn as Human TorchEbon Moss-Bachrach as The ThingThe ThunderboltsThe ThunderboltsCredit: DisneyFlorence Pugh as Yelena BelovaDavid Harbour as Red GuardianWyatt Russell as U.S. AgentHannah John-Kamen as GhostLewis Pullman as BobSimu Liu as Shang-ChiTenoch Huerta Mejia as NamorThe X-MenX-MenCredit: DisneyPatrick Stewart as Professor Charles XavierIan McKellen as MagnetoKelsey Grammer as BeastAlan Cumming as NightcrawlerJames Marsden as CyclopsChanning Tatum as GambitRebecca Romjin as MystiqueThe VillainSAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Robert Downey Jr. speaks onstage during the Marvel Studios Panel in ... More Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)Getty Images for DisneyRobert Downey Jr. as Doctor DoomThe MissingNotably absent from the films cast is Elizabeth Olsens Scarlet Witch. Paul Bettanys Vision is also MIA. While he died, his character lived on in a different form in WandaVision. And death hasnt stopped Professor X from returning after his fate in Logan. Im also a little surprised to not see Wiccan listed here, as the recent Disney+ series Agatha All Along certainly made him an important new character in the MCU.Likewise, its a shame not to see either Mark Ruffalos Hulk or Charlie Coxs Daredevil mentioned in the casting announcement. There are many others, some dead and gone (Scarlett Johanssons Black Widow) and others simply not listed (Benedict Cumberbatchs Dr. Strange) who will be missed. Its hard to really imagine an Avengers film without the original cast. Tom Hollands Spider-Man is also AWOL, as is Ryan Reynolds Wade Wilson/Deadpool.Of course, I am 99.99% certain that this is not the entire cast and that Disney is keeping some surprises up its sleeve, including more villains and some end-credits cameos. Maybe Hugh Jackman will pop up as Wolverine one last time.In any case, its a very big cast, but a very big cast does not necessarily a good movie make. The Russo Brothers latest film, The Electric State on Netflix, has been widely panned by critics, though their previous MCU efforts (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War and both the last two Avengers films) were all hits.Two other MCU films are set to hit theaters much sooner. Thunderbolts debuts on May 2nd and The Fantastic Four: First Steps on July 25th. The former looks quite good, but I have some misgivings about the latter. We shall see.What do you make of this casting news? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.